What could've caused this?

[Subzero]

Hey All - I noticed that my car has been leaking a lot of oil since last night - I had to add 1/2 a quart. It's supercharged with an ESS G3X. Upon inspection, the bottom of the engine had a layer of oil near the front, and I traced it to a hole in the timing cover. This hole is too perfect though. What could've caused this?

You're looking directly behind the water pump, under the throttle body.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zTP6cLiAhazZiRi97

I'll also add that the engine runs great and holds boost, but spews oil everywhere.

Thanks!

[Subzero]

Upon inspection of the inside of a stock timing cover, the casting has a circular gate or impression above the crank. It looks to be similar in size to the hole I saw in my cover.

I don't have this cover - using for reference.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/ICT-B...bo,381851.html

Is my timing cover flawed? or did too much boost build up in the engine? Should I reroute my catch can lines?

[larry_g]

Cam bolt backed out?

[Subzero]

Pretty sure they didn't - I have a triple bolt cam with a lock. The bolts are directly above the hole and don't align with it.

[RobZL1]

That is some kind of strange. It looks like it came from the inside out, based on the flashing around the hole.

[larry_g]

Boost would have blown out oil seals before making a hole in metal. Either way, it should be removed and inspected.



Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[RobZL1]

Yeah, I was thinking it looks more like mechanical abrasion from the inside out.

[morepowerjoe]

Originally Posted by larry_g

Boost would have blown out oil seals before making a hole in metal. Either way, it should be removed and inspected.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

I would definitely agree.

[fz4k98]

you can get an inspection camera pretty cheap that will snake inside to look for any loose bolts etc.

It looks pressure related as any bolt that would cause that would be showing out of the hole. There is a stress fracture at about 11 oclock on the photo. It is most likely pointing at the weak spot when it blew out.

If it was pressure it must have been quite a lot as the remaining material is missing instead of hanging off the hole.

[stevieturbo]

A bolt has come out there...it all needs to come apart, and no doubt the debris has got everywhere inside the engine !

Filter is bound to be full of aluminium ( and rest of the engine )

[Subzero]

Yea I plan on tearing the front down at least. And depending what I see in the filter, the engine too.

Thanks for the input, I'll keep you all updated!

[Subzero]

Originally Posted by fz4k98

you can get an inspection camera pretty cheap that will snake inside to look for any loose bolts etc.

It looks pressure related as any bolt that would cause that would be showing out of the hole. There is a stress fracture at about 11 oclock on the photo. It is most likely pointing at the weak spot when it blew out.

If it was pressure it must have been quite a lot as the remaining material is missing instead of hanging off the hole.

At least 20psi from the blower. I have a MM wild can with a - 12AN vent from the passenger valve cover, 5/8 line to blower intake from driver cover and the valley cover capped, like the diagram suggested.

The only thing I can think of which may have initiated this was an engine overrev going from 3rd to 2nd during a street tune. I think it hit around 7200rpm. But this was a year ago and the engine is still working well.

[Rem0v3r]

Something punched its way out.. wont be crankcase pressure related, your dipstick would yeet itself long before that.. take the cover off and look.. check crankshaft thrust if you can..

[UNRIVALED SS]

Originally Posted by Subzero

Hey All - I noticed that my car has been leaking a lot of oil since last night - I had to add 1/2 a quart. It's supercharged with an ESS G3X. Upon inspection, the bottom of the engine had a layer of oil near the front, and I traced it to a hole in the timing cover. This hole is too perfect though. What could've caused this?

You're looking directly behind the water pump, under the throttle body.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zTP6cLiAhazZiRi97

I'll also add that the engine runs great and holds boost, but spews oil everywhere.

Thanks!

You need to remove the timing cover and inspect the timing chain, tensioner, and bolts. Once you get the cover off I think you will discover that the hole is not as "perfect" as it appears. There is nothing about this related to your induction. Don`t invent problems by speculating. There is a problem and if you don`t address it quickly it will likely cause more problems. This is a very easy and simple repair. You only need a few special tools such as a balancer puller and installation tool. The rest is simple hand tools. Get into it and don`t be afraid of it. Remove the tensioner and poser steering pump, water pump and you should be able to get to the cover. Pull the balancer and remove the cover. There is something broken or floating around behind the timing cover.
Good luck with it.