I've had oil dribbling down the side of the block since I've had the car. It looked like it was coming from the inlet manifold, so I changed the gasket today. I was surprised to see the old gasket had broken in two places and oil had seeped out in both places. There had also been an exhaust leak from the port nearest the bulkhead.







I don't know, but was just wondering whether the old gasket was fitted back to front and that's why it failed like it did?

Anyway, no more oil leaks with any luck. The engine seems a bit quieter and smoother now it can suck and blow properly, but that might just be my imagination, lol 😊

it is extremely common fault

I have a similiar oil leak on a 300tdi only seems to do it when its hot though. Is that the same as your engine?
Kev

beerdude said:

I have a similiar oil leak on a 300tdi only seems to do it when its hot though. Is that the same as your engine?
Kev

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I don't know if it leaked worse when it was hot because it wasn't visibly leaking, as in, you couldn't see oil actually coming out of anywhere. The side of the block was covered in oil, so it had to be coming from somewhere, but must only have been seeping out. I traced it to the highest point, which was the manifold. I cleaned the block with degreaser when I changed the gasket and, touch wood, there's no sign of any oil there any more.

Thanks that sounds just like mine.

Kev