1993 240, 212,000 mi, manual trans., non turbo. I recently noticed excessive smoke (oil). It happened all of a sudden. Then I noticed an oil leak comming from the left front of the vehicle above the AC compressor. Removed the air cleaner and duct work to get a better view, and found approx. 4 oz. of oil in the duct work. I believe the leak is from a small hole in the duct work, since any lines below it are brake related. My question: Since this is vacuum, how is it possible for motor oil to accumulate there? Possible cause and what to do to fix it.

 

the plastic duct work isn't actually 'vacuum', vacuum only occurs between the throttle body and the engine.


only way I know of for oil to get into the air path is via the crankcase ventilation.