Oil leak - advice needed

cossie

Hi guys

I wonder if somebody can give me some advice

My car (2.2 150) has an oil leak, it isn't dripping all over the place but appears just at the top of the gearbox housing - as if it has dripped down onto it.

The only places I can really think of are the rocker gasket (I know these are suspect anyway) and around the power steering pump.

My question is this - where the power steering pump is affixed to the side of the cylinder head - is it merely mounted to the outside or is it more integral ie: is there a gasket/o ring inbetween where oil may leak from? The oil seems to be gathering below the pump where the pipes run from (its definitely not P/S fluid!) then seemingly dripping onto the gearbox housing.

Thanks

Paul

blue_se2

yeah there should be an o' ring between the pump and head

cossie

blue se2 said:
yeah there should be an o' ring between the pump and head

Thanks for that mate

Just been back out and nipped the two bolts up see if it stops weeping. If not will tak off and replace the o ring

Thanks again

Cossie

cossie

After nipping the bolts up still getting a leak. The oil is clearly dropping onto the coolant pipe which runs underneath the power steering pump. To get there, I cant see where else it may be leaking from. For info, the steering pump is held on to the head by two bolts. When these are taken out, you can withdraw the pump slightly. There isn't an actual o ring in there, but a large rubber seal (flat) which is integral to the pump. Apparently Vauxhall dont do this seperately.

So I think I'm going to apply some sealant around the metal facing to assist the seal. Any recommendation as to which is the best sealant for metal to metal facing?

JohnnyN

Just caught up with this thread, I had the same problem, see here,

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3699&p=32709&hilit=+Power+steering+Pump#p32709

The large rubber seal comes part of a kit at a cost of over £20 + VAT and that was a long while ago.

cossie

Tell you what Johnny thats twice now you've helped me out!

The cam seal (I take it thats the big flatter rubber seal that fits into the power steering pump (looks like the one pictured.)

Ho was it retained, as it seems to be in there quite tight at the mo. And with the new seal I take it that you didn't need any extra assistance like gasket sealant or the like?

Paul

JohnnyN

It is the cam seal, flat rubber ring. Its just seated in place, located by a shallow shoulder (counterbore) in the pump face. It may be worth using some silicone gasket sealer or RTV sealer on the metal faces as an extra precaution. I would if mine started leaking again but its been okay, fingers crossed.

;-)

cossie

Just so you all know - oil leak fixed

It was the steering pump. Vauxhall wanted £30+ vat for the seal kit. And would be 2 days delivery. Repaired it using RTV sealant cost only £4.50 - so well chuffed

Big thanks to Johnny who convinced me the job was worth doing!!

JohnnyN

Excellent! Well done mate!

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