OK, so I went out and bought a 98 w/2.8 30V. 146000miles. Seller "thought" TB was changed at 98K. So I trailered it home, ordered the TB kit including a valve cover gasket kit because I noticed a fair amount of oil under the oil pan and all over underneath (reading other post before purchase said this is more than likely a valve cover gasket). Got TB exposed tonight and noticed caked oil all over alternator and all over the lower engine both sides of front engine. Look slike it has been leaking a while. Have pics if you want. Can anyone shed any light as to how totally screwed am I? Or what seals should be changed since I have access? I ordered the Enhanced TB kit from Blauparts. THANKS!

 

Start by cleaning everything up and changing the valve cover gaskets. The VCGs are known to leak on our cars so doing them is never a bad idea. Also, the PCV tube (brittle plastic pipe plugged into the VCs) can clog up - try gently soaking it in a pan of degreaser to see if excess crap has blocked it off and raised the crankcase pressure to a level that allows oil to be pushed out of the seals. Finally, when the car is up and running, add half a can of Seafoam to the oil, drive 100 miles, and do an oil and filter change. That'll break down deposits in the oiling system. You should be fine - the 30v isn't known for problematic oil leaks other than the VCGs and isn't known to suffer much from oil sludge.

 

Oil down the front of the engine? Make sure you are changing your cam and crank seals while you are doing the timing belt.

 

I wouldn't put seafoam in the oil if you're leaking, it could start new leaks and make the existing ones worse. I was lazy and didn't bother changing the cam seals when I did my TB, now I think they're leaking. The lesson here is just change everything while you're in there to save yourself a headache.

 

Thanks for all the input. I plan on cleaning the engine tonight. I do have all the seals for the valve gasket job and will do that after timing belt. I also looked at the breather tube and it is pretty cloggeg per Blaupart instructions. So I will replace that too I guess. That kit is about $165. I will keep you all posted. Give me till this weekend.

TXH!

 

i hated doing the cam seal, which IMO should be replaced as well. you need a tool to remove and install the cam back in position under the cam chain.

 

Ok, so this is taking longer than i thought. Life is going on around me. I do have the crank seals and all the other seals that come with the TB enhanced Kit and the Valve cover Plus kit. I hope to finish this weekend for sure.

 

OK. Sorry for the late follow up. All is well! The oil leak turned out to be coming from the oil pump cover (front cover). A mehanic friend put dye in the oil and used black light to trace it. Had all the signs of a crank seal as it leaked straight down the front of engine and then the air blew it back while driving. Now I have to take the front end off again to change altenator. I knew I should have done it while I was in there!

Thanks all!