Range rover P38 weird Oil leak problem

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Range rover P38 weird Oil leak problem

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Range rover P38 weird Oil leak problem - 4/17/2008 8:31:58 AM

pat3d

Posts: 10
Joined: 4/17/2008
Status: offline

Hello,

I would need an advice about an oil leak I have on my Range Rover P38 4.0 SE (year 1997).

2 months ago, I had to change the intake gaskets and the head gaskets because of coolant leak, in a independent Land rover repair shop. Since then I have to add a quart of motor oil every 200 miles. (I didn't have any oil leak before)
The thing is, that I have no visible oil leak, nothing on the floor, and no black smoke.
I went to Land rover Cincinnati for them to check the oil leak but they told me that they don't know why I'm losing so much oil, because they couldn't see any visible leak.
I've been told if there was a piston problem, I should have black smoke when driving my car, but I don't have that. Is there something that the mechanic who changed the head gaskets could have done wrong ? I was thinking of the valve stem seals maybe.
Thanks a lot for your help.

Pat3d

< Message edited by pat3d -- 4/17/2008 11:26:57 AM >

Post #: 1

RE: Range rover P38 weird Oil leak problem - 4/17/2008 1:50:27 PM

wease206

Posts: 101
Joined: 2/26/2007
Status: offline

rear main seal

(in reply to pat3d)

Post #: 2

RE: Range rover P38 weird Oil leak problem - 4/17/2008 2:15:22 PM

pat3d

Posts: 10
Joined: 4/17/2008
Status: offline

Hello,

Thanks a lot for your reply.

Could you tell me where is it located, and if it is the rear main seal , there is no visible leak, is that right ?

Pat3d

(in reply to wease206)

Post #: 3

RE: Range rover P38 weird Oil leak problem - 4/17/2008 4:06:46 PM

WolfPack

Posts: 523
Joined: 1/3/2008
Status: offline

rear main seal is the output shaft of the motor going to the tranny. Rear main seals should leave a puddle, as they're so low on the block, there's not much chance for the oil to dry up as it drips down the block.

I suppose it is possible that you have a mis-seated rear main seal...although that shouldnt have been effected by the head/IMG work...but the seal only gets distrubed while driving, which explains why you see no puddle..but I'm not sure.

_____________________________

2001 Range Rover 4.6 SE - Coil Sprung
2000 Chevy Blazer 4x4 4.3L V6 - The Beast

(in reply to pat3d)

Post #: 4

RE: Range rover P38 weird Oil leak problem - 4/18/2008 7:09:53 AM

pat3d

Posts: 10
Joined: 4/17/2008
Status: offline

Hi,

I'm gonna check that, and let you know

Thanks again.

Pat3d

(in reply to WolfPack)

Post #: 5

RE: Range rover P38 weird Oil leak problem - 4/18/2008 1:56:49 PM

pat3d

Posts: 10
Joined: 4/17/2008
Status: offline

I have oil spots on my rear bumper and some on the lower tailgate too.

So it could be that maybe.

(in reply to pat3d)

Post #: 6

RE: Range rover P38 weird Oil leak problem - 4/18/2008 4:06:26 PM

roverguy7

Posts: 517
Joined: 4/7/2008
Status: offline

if you got oil that far back, then lookin wont tell you anything. the whole underbody of your car will be soaked. to check if its the rear main, you need to be under the car, on the front of the trans, youll see a little circular plate on the bellhousing. take it off and look up there with a light, watch out as you take it off if thats what it is as you might get a shower. but the rear main will show up as oil splattered all over the inside on the bellhousing, not just it wet, but like it was flung off from the middle.

(in reply to pat3d)

Post #: 7

RE: Range rover P38 weird Oil leak problem - 4/19/2008 7:08:49 AM

Disco Mike

Posts: 11153
Joined: 4/27/2006
Status: offline

It is nearly impossible to loss that much oil with out seeing a lot of oil under the truck, all the way back to the rear bumper.
Look at your repair bill and see if the shop replaced the intake manifold gasket, a $50 plus part, if not, that is your problem.

< Message edited by Disco Mike -- 4/19/2008 3:13:14 PM >

_____________________________

Mike
Retired service manager. Member of the Solihull Society, NCLR club,past member of the SCLR club and Santa Barbara 4 Wheelers.
99 D2, 3" lift, lockers, H.D. axles, 4:11 gears, Custom front and rear bumpers, Warn winch, HID lights and an Engel 45.

(in reply to roverguy7)

Post #: 8

RE: Range rover P38 weird Oil leak problem - 4/19/2008 9:23:26 AM

WolfPack

Posts: 523
Joined: 1/3/2008
Status: offline

Wow...oil on the bumper but no spot...that's impressive

Mike are you thinking the IMG was poorly done (if the shop did it) and that's the loss of oil? Are you thinking it's coming out the exhaust and getting on bumper/tailgate that way?

_____________________________

2001 Range Rover 4.6 SE - Coil Sprung
2000 Chevy Blazer 4x4 4.3L V6 - The Beast

(in reply to Disco Mike)

Post #: 9

RE: Range rover P38 weird Oil leak problem - 4/19/2008 9:24:28 AM

pat3d

Posts: 10
Joined: 4/17/2008
Status: offline

Hello,

On the repair bill, the intake manifold gasket has been replaced. I'm gonna check under the car too. If that's the rear main seal, is it an expensive repair ?

Thanks,

Pat3d

(in reply to Disco Mike)

Post #: 10