I am currently experiencing a severe oil leak from the front of the engine. The engine is a 4 cyl B230 F with about 170000 miles.

I have had several problems in the past 40000 miles including:

1. A rear main seal that backed out and had to be replaced.

2. A front camshaft seal that backed out and had to be replaced.

3. The oil dipstick has been blown out of its tube several times.

Are these problems indicative of a larger problem (high oil pressure, car about to explode, etc)?

Any ideas on where to start? The camshaft seal may be at fault for the current problem, but I am looking for and overall reason for the oil system problems....

Thanks!

Confounded in Corvallis

 

If you didn't service the Rest of the Vent system it will keep doing that. The Vent system sounds clogged. That will build up extra pressure in the crankcase.
Clean the flametrap and check the ventbox.

 

Could this occur in an automatic transmission as well? Mine seems to be "pushing" fluid out of the filler tube, even though it is not over filled. Where is the flametrap and ventbox on a 89 240 wagon? Thx.

 

The vent box is located under the intake manifold. If you follow the big hose from the breather box up. You will see the flame sheild between #3 and #4 runners on the intake.

 

Sorry to hijack. I did find the flame trap and vent box on my 240. I pulled off the hose and discovered that the flame trap is missing a vacuum hose (the plastic inlet was broken off) I tested the vent box by blowing and sucking air through the crank case (remember to remove the filler cap) air moved easily through the box, but witout that vacuum hose it will not draw crank case vapor at idle which is when my engine leakes oil. I will replace the flame trap and attach the vaccum hose and hopefully the leak will stop. If not, I am looking at a rear main seal replacement. Thanks for the help.

 

How do you clean the flam trap please let me know I have oil leak I changed the flame trap hose to the air box and the I did not know you could clean out the flame trap

 

Usually this only happens when the transmission fluid has been contaminated with water or the transmission is severly overheating. What color is the fluid? Does it smell burnt?

 

You can clean the white screen. Also check the small hose. It usually clogs the nipple on the intake.