Eric NY

OD,

As i already stated, no sealant on the lower tin shield will most definitly leak! BTDT, and seen it many many times. IIRC it's one on the right, and one on the left. You don't have to remove timing belt to sela them, but everything else is going to be in the way.

This particular leak is very difficult to diagnose as the oil drips down and spreads. It will look like the front main!

If the crank seal was put in correctly i would almost bet real money it's the bolts! Once you start pulling the bolts you'll know right away which ones are the leakers. Will have oil on the threads and area just below it will be washed clean...

Eric

cuatrokoop

Otherwise you will have leaks. That is why most people decide to use permatex/RTV along with the rubber gasket.

orangedawg

It's not too hard to pull front back apart. But those timing cover bolts are a pain to get to! Have to use extensions, knuckles, etc. And it is hard to source leak with covers on. It just appears that it's coimng from front seal.
It is this type of help that you guys are giving that makes this forum so good!!

Eric NY

If you pull the bumper, grill, intercooler etc etc it's very easy to get to! Probably a half hour max to get to everything (once you've done it a couple of times!) Trying to get to everything with the nose on is difficult, plus you can't see that well...

The suspect bolts are above the seal, so oil of course drops down by the seal than pushes out of the same area as the seal.

Eric NY

Check SJM's site, believe he identifies which bolts are the culprits...