Sole Diesel mini 34 wierd engine oil leak

[sailor Martin]

Hi all

I have this wired leak from the front of the block,
at the bottom, near the cranck pully. At first I thought its cracked but now I think it's actually a connection of some sort. I can see a similar connection line on the other side of the cranckshaft pully. So it must be an added piece to the block in the middle. but I cannot find many clews in the parts catalog and have no idea how to stop the leak.

Added plenty photos

Thanks!

[Sailmonkey]

That’s the side of the forward main bearing cap.

From the parts diagram it appears the forward and aft bearing caps have an elastomer seal on each side.

Not a crack, but a bad seal that isn’t specifically called out on this parts breakdown.

[tkeithlu]

It looks like a crack. The leakage is centered on what looks like a crack. Wire brush it and determine whether it is a crack.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

It looks like a crack. The leakage is centered on what looks like a crack. Wire brush it and determine whether it is a crack.

It’s an engineered crack, the kind that comes from mating two surfaces.

[sailor Martin]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

It’s an engineered crack, the kind that comes from mating two surfaces.

Not sure what you mean exactly.
Do you have an idea how it can be fixed?

[sailor Martin]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

That’s the side of the forward main bearing cap.

From the parts diagram it appears the forward and aft bearing caps have an elastomer seal on each side.

Not a crack, but a bad seal that isn’t specifically called out on this parts breakdown.

I'm trying hard to understand what you mean but I don't.
Are you refering to a paper gasket kind of seal? This plate under the cranck pully doesn't seem to be bolted to anything. Even if it was. The leake is on it's side where it meets the block plate. Any idea how it can actually be fixed?

[jimbunyard]

If it is what it looks like it is, the only way to fix it is to take the pan and front main cap off and replace item 2, the side seal, as shown in your parts drawing.

In other words, you'll have to pull the engine to fix it properly.

[sailor Martin]

Originally Posted by jimbunyard

If it is what it looks like it is, the only way to fix it is to take the pan and front main cap off and replace item 2, the side seal, as shown in your parts drawing.

In other words, you'll have to pull the engine to fix it properly.

I see

So remove samp, unbolt the front cap, replace seals for new ones and put everything back?

[tkeithlu]

Now I see what you are describing. The crack is too straight to be a fracture.

[jimbunyard]

Well, yes, but you'll also have to take off the front cover and everything involved with that, as it is unlikely you'll be able to seal the joint between the front cover and the front main cap.

The plate 14 and the gasket 15 have to be removed and replaced; from your picture it seems that, in addition to the oil pan, the pulley, water pump">raw water pump and probably the alternator, at least, would have to be removed to get to the front main cap and side seals.

[sailor Martin]

Originally Posted by jimbunyard

Well, yes, but you'll also have to take off the front cover and everything involved with that, as it is unlikely you'll be able to seal the joint between the front cover and the front main cap.

The plate 14 and the gasket 15 have to be replaced; from your picture it seems that, in addition to the oil pan, the pulley, raw water pump and probably the alternator, at least, would have to be removed to get to the front main cap and side seals.

Thank you!

[Georgieboy]

Take frontplate (14) on your explosion drawing off. Have its crack welded and smoothed. Replace gasket (15) and you are done.


Good luck and many more miles with this engine.

[morribabes]

Before you go tearing things apart, make sure your engine breather isn't clogged. If your engine has a PCV valve it might be stuck. This will cause positive crankcase pressure and possible oil seepage past the seals.

[jimbunyard]

Originally Posted by Georgieboy

Take frontplate (14) on your explosion drawing off. Have its crack welded and smoothed. Replace gasket (15) and you are done.


Good luck and many more miles with this engine.

Well, let's not confuse the issue here.

Unless you have information about a revision to the engine shown in the drawing (and not shown in the drawing), it would be interesting to know how you know that plate 14 is cracked, since none of it is visible in any of the pictures shown (at least as illustrated in the drawing). In the drawing the plate is shown to be fully hidden by the front cover (not shown in the drawing, but quite evident in the pictures).


The recommendation to check for a breather restriction is a good one, one that I should have recommended as well.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Georgieboy

Take frontplate (14) on your explosion drawing off. Have its crack welded and smoothed. Replace gasket (15) and you are done.


Good luck and many more miles with this engine.

Look again at the parts breakdown, front plate 14 isn’t even in the area of the leak. It’s above the leak.