[brewnz]

After a nice drive to Santa Barbara over the weekend, I pulled my Mondial t out last night and found 2 oil leak spots on the garage floor (there were no leaks prior to the trip). I called an independent service shop (can't take the car out of the driveway due to a home construction project) and they suggested it may be the crimp in the oil cooler lines.

For clarification, the leaks are toward the front of the engine block from two rubber (covered?) lines and not from the braided steel oil lines. Is there a difference between 'oil lines' and 'oil cooler lines'? If no, what are the lines at the lower front end of the engine block on both sides.

Appreciate any insights.

 

[Bazil]

Not a bloody clue - I only worry when mine STOPS leaking oil!!

 

[brewnz]

I think I've figured it out. I was looking at the hydraulic lines for the power steering...that wasn't the problem though. The oil was around the lower front of the block and on the lines and it is definitely motor oil. One of the service technicians in Southern California saw the site post and called me, suggesting it may be cam seals. Upon further review, I'm pretty sure he's right.

Fortunately, I have an engine-out service scheduled for the fuel line recall, which was never done on this car. Cam seals are only $139 for the set, but it's the engine out that makes the bill a bit bigger.

 

[no doubt]

I think I've figured it out. I was looking at the hydraulic lines for the power steering...that wasn't the problem though. The oil was around the lower front of the block and on the lines and it is definitely motor oil. One of the service technicians in Southern California saw the site post and called me, suggesting it may be cam seals. Upon further review, I'm pretty sure he's right.

Fortunately, I have an engine-out service scheduled for the fuel line recall, which was never done on this car. Cam seals are only $139 for the set, but it's the engine out that makes the bill a bit bigger.

Just be certain that it's motor oil (yeah, that's what you said, I know). Because the spot in front of the engine that you are describing is *precisely* where the radiator overflow lines (coincidentally, made of rubber) drain.

So it's easy and common to get a drop or two of slick/oily anti-freeze on your floor in that same spot.

 

[Beerman]

There was a problem with 348s and Mondial Ts developing oil leaks from the cam seals. Predominantly on the left hand side.

There was an actual service alert for these and there was a fix. The fix was basically to drill two (I think two) small oil return holes on the internal side of the cylinder head just behind the cam seal itself. The idea was to stop oil pooling behind the seal. The seals were also replaced with the "red" type seal. (but they still leak).