oil leak

Hi all
I have an oil leak, yes it's a discovery (1999 td5) so I'd expect one.

This one is odd though as the front drivers side (left hand side looking from the front of the car) is saturated in oil from the front to half way back covering the alternator running and dripping onto the front diff???

Am I right in assuming head gasket or injector loom, there does appear to me a lot of oil, the car is running fine, no heavy smoking or black smoke. I can obviously only notice it one I remove the acoustic cover.
If it is head gasket how much should I expect to pay to get this sorted.

Many thanks

Camshaft seal

Big black round thing at the front of the camshaft housing

LDI100030 : Oil Seal Camshaft Front : Automotive Parts Specialists in online sales of Genuine, Original Equipment and Aftermarket Land Rover and Range Rover Parts & Accessories in the UK, Europe and Worldwide

2 minute job

Had this and changed it and cleaned the face now it's leak free. Try picking it out and see how easy it is to do. Clean underneath and drive see if it leaks down again

Good point but would that cause it to leak down the side of the drivers side of the engine that far back??? I will change it anyway.

DiscoJa said:

Good point but would that cause it to leak down the side of the drivers side of the engine that far back??? I will change it anyway.

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Yeah, it would, front of the camshaft housing will probably be covered
and when it hits the belt and pulleys it gets thrown all over the place

You can see the end of the alternator pulley and the oil, this was from the camshaft seal.

Wonky pulley has been replaced!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jffqLZRQRgk

have a look at the oil pipe going into the alternater

Ok well I'll clean all the oil off change the seal and see if i get any more oil leaking. Although still find it hard to understand how that much oil can get around the corner and run down the block, but maybe that's just me.

DiscoJa said:

Ok well I'll clean all the oil off change the seal and see if i get any more oil leaking. Although still find it hard to understand how that much oil can get around the corner and run down the block, but maybe that's just me.

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Just think about the amount of airflow coming off the fan and pushing any loose oil rearwards.

Also check the LHS rocker cover gasket for oil leaks.

Drivers side only though? Will check all, and replace seal. Thanks for advice, can't do anything until Tuesday, work commitments, but will report back.

johnlad said:

have a look at the oil pipe going into the alternater

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Do as Johnlad says, Check the back of the alternator, I bet that's the problem.

Have a look at this fred - sounds like the same problem - alternator oil pipe

Just been to look again, the pipe you're referring to doesn't appear to be leaking, think it's going to be easier once the engine is cleaned and cam seal changed to determine where any other oil is coming from. As i previously said there seems to be one hell of a lot of oil, wet oil from the front alternator corner to half way back the engine, but once degreased and clean it should make the diagnosis clearer.
Thanks again

I also note, that in your post headtester that you state front nearside, whereas my oil is definitely offside. Thanks again

DiscoJa said:

I also note, that in your post headtester that you state front nearside, whereas my oil is definitely offside. Thanks again

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I think he meant offside. If you look at his photo, it is showing the alternator which is on the offside.

Ok thank meego.

Hoping I get it sorted soon, and let everybody know where it's coming from. Spent half an hour at work on it today just basically looking. Oil seems to have increased over the rear of the alternator and down the side of the engine. Had the car running but nothing obvious jumped out at me. Hoping for a not too expensive fix, just the cam seal would be lovely.

DiscoJa said:

Ok thank meego.

Hoping I get it sorted soon, and let everybody know where it's coming from. Spent half an hour at work on it today just basically looking. Oil seems to have increased over the rear of the alternator and down the side of the engine. Had the car running but nothing obvious jumped out at me. Hoping for a not too expensive fix, just the cam seal would be lovely.

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Check your FPR (fuel pressure regulator) as well. sometimes when it is leaking, it can pick up dirt and oil residue, and look like an oil leak.

DiscoJa said:

I also note, that in your post headtester that you state front nearside, whereas my oil is definitely offside. Thanks again

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It is indeed the front offside of the engine - the left as you face the engine but still better described as offside.

When my alternator oil pipe went there was quite a lot of oil all over the place, when the FPR leaked (yes I've had that one too) it was a slower leak, further back and a thinner mix of fuel which washed the rear offside of my engine clear of oily muck.

I changed my FPR last year, fiddly little job, but will check again. Ordered cam seal, will collect Tuesday and fit. Tje list is endless but will be worth it in the end

Right. Checked everything again. Changed cam seal cover and rocker gasket. Cleaned engine the best i could. Now sit back and monitor.
Thanks for all your help and advice peeps

Are you sure it's oil and not the FPR leaking?
Griff