VEA d4 glove test

[hi tower]

Originally Posted by SnineT

If you have warranty that's good but be aware they will clean it and tell you it's fixed for obvious reasons hoping next time you look it's out of warranty.

I'd stay put for a fortnight and if it's there again and you can't see where from take it back, just a thought the oil filter isn't anywhere near it is it? I ask because my Insignia constantly got mot noted for an oil leak, when I question where I was told "Dunno but it's on the driveshaft" the shaft was directly below a hard to reach without taking the arch liner out and I think the leak was actually where I hadn't wiped the driveshaft off after changing the oil & filter. It's also worth saying where you see it isn't always where it's coming from, air rushing through the underbay can push leaks to another area.

The leak is at the back of the engine away from the oil filter which is at the front.
The dealer has examined the car and they are replacing the valve cover gasket. I will probably have it back in a couple of days. I’ll have to keep my eye on it and see what happens.

[SnineT]

Originally Posted by SnineT

There are two things that can make this look like something it isn't and worth checking first.

1 - Spillage from oil changes and top up's from the fill hole.

2 - Rocker cover gasket is leaking.

If she is blowing though you should be able to smell it in the engine bay after a good drive, it will naturally smell a bit but if it's good enough to get high on your concerns could be justified.

Glad you're getting it sorted and my #2 suggestion was correct then, you have a good dealer there as someone I know with the same issue was advised by his to "just keep an eye on it" aka "oh just go away will you!" it seems a weak point on these engines.

[Geozyg]

I have a 2016 late D4.
In theory it’s got the later piston rings and hasn’t done enough miles to wear valve seals.
Oil is not being used quickly so I guess all is well with piston rings.
However it is leaking oil out of various seals and on checking it has crankcase positive pressure. Did the glove test over the filler and def inflated.
I then removed the hose from the valve cover to the inlet manifold pipe and did the test again. The glove was inflated much faster and continued to grow with quite some pressure building up. This was not really a surprise as there was nowhere for it to go except into the glove.
As the 1st oil filler test had the glove inflating more slowly and never really blew up like a balloon, there must have been some pressure relief to the inlet manifold pipe. But not enough vacuum be to negative in the crankcase.
As posted earlier, the inlet manifold pipe has very little vacuum in it.

So where does this leave me? Lots of small oil leaks due to pressure, but not sure how to improve matters. It just seems the VEA 4 cyl diesel doesn’t have enough crankcase ventilation. Rubbish design!

[Geozyg]

I need to make a nappy for the car to put under the engine to catch the oil. Do a nappy change along with the service!