Found my oil leak!

[bigjae46]

I chose to use some JB weld on the outside of the plugs as an extra insurance to prevent them from falling out. It can't hurt and it can easily be removed with a pick/screw driver once it's time to replace the plugs again.

Interesting, I had a similar thought.

It is common to install a freeze plug in the back of the water pump when deleting the heater core loop. I was concerned with the reliability so I applied some JB weld to the freeze plug. It has held up so far although oil pressure can be higher than coolant system pressure. Ideally, I would have TIG welded the freeze plug in except I could not find an aluminum freeze plug.

I will probably go the same route, rough up the edges and JB weld.

There is also an expansion plug underneath so I am assuming I need to replace the freeze plug AND the expansion plug?

Expansion plug - 11121407412
Freeze plug - 07119901197

[PetrolM3]

This leak is more common than people think but the front plug is fairly cheap and accessible/easy to replace. There are also two of these in the rear of the motor and they are exponentially harder to replace. I think most people have slight sweating/leaking around these plugs (all 3) as you approach higher mileage. Some have serious leaks and end up replacing all kinds of wrong things just to realize this plug is the culprit.

If you look on other forums, you can find instances of catastrophic leaks from these plugs when they literally fall out (due to crankcase pressure). Personally, I chose to use some JB weld on the outside of the plugs as an extra insurance to prevent them from falling out. It can't hurt and it can easily be removed with a pick/screw driver once it's time to replace the plugs again.

PS. The holes which these 'plugs' are in were necessary during block manufacturing at the factory. They have no function/use after the block is machined. I wish the plugs were threaded so we don't have to deal with this.

[Cubieman]

Nice, I've got an oil leak in the front somewhere other than the Vanos gasket. Oil will build up on the corners of the headgasket where it protrudes sometimes.

It's sure hard to get a good look it that area without removing the vanos solenoid block/pack. I'll have to remove that, clean, reassemble and check at that spot.

[///Mangler]

'Freeze plug', aren't those for coolant and not oil??

T

[S54.sueño]

Those can leak??? How does one even replace those?!?

[bigjae46]

I’ve had a relatively minor oil leak I’ve been chasing down. Looks like it’s the freeze plug behind the vanos solenoids. This pic is after cleaning up the engine. You can see a little bit of fresh oil at the bottom.

It was time to do a valve adjustment anyways.