I have a 91 245, just bought it about a month ago. Today found a big spot in the driveway, looks like its coming from above and behind the oil pan, if I had to guess it looks like it could be the rear seal. I pulled the flame trap and it was solid. Going to change it but wanted to know if anyone has had an oil leak go away after the flame trap was replaced. I'm stuck in wishful thinking that the seal wasn't pushed all the way out and if the pressure returns to normal that the leak will disappear. Any one with that luck?

Thanks

 

on the back of the camshaft, by the firewall, there is a plastic cap/seal that can pop out or leak....it is held, in part by the valve cover?....black and circular(it could be half moon(forgot)...stick you fingers between back of valve cover and firewall to see if it is there...or you feel cracks on it...

they sell a metal cover that goes over it to make sure it won't pop out or something...

use a mirror tool or wife powder shell thing.

Lets hope it is not the main seal

 

My late night wondering took over and despite not being able to see back there, feeling back there it seems like the plug is in the right place (dang it). It was gunky but not fresh oil-leaky. I'll look when it's light and see what's what after I get the flame trap in.

 

if the flame trap was completely blocked, the plastic oil separator box below it can crack, and makes a big mess.

 

If you can not eyeball where the leak is coming from, clean as much crud off as you can and add some florescent dye specially made for locating oil leaks. Unfortunately, in my experience, neglected flame traps and resultant oil leaks, are seldom "fixed" by bringing the trap up to snuff. Still, it can make a heinous leak somewhat more tolerable long enough to begin attacking the various leaks on somewhat of a schedule rather than doing it all at once.

 

All good points and thank you everyone. I have raised the blue and yellow flag of surrender and will take it in to a local repair shop that answered a ton of questions for me as I was trying to run this down.

As an aside, the lower hose (from flame trap to breather box) was split. I didn't want to wait for the kit IPD sells to reroute the flame trap. I went looking local. I ended up buying a hose from a German auto repair shop. The interior diameter is the same and there is a turn in the hose allowing me to put the flame trap in an easier to reach place. The kit sells for about 35 dollars but all the hoses and flame trap body were in good shape so this 14 dollar hose did the trick. 14 local, 7 bucks on line.

Not trying to get in IPD's way at all as I have bought parts from them as well.

It is a coolant hose from a Jetta.

part# 191121109E

Will need to trim down the straight end a bit but it worked out fine.

 

check as many engine bolts as you can ... it has nothing to do with the flame trap, but could have an oil seep/leak result. I found all but one of my valve cover bolts "loose" and 4 exhaust manifold bolts loose while tracking down a drivability problem - after replacing the flame trap.