Oil leak??

Hi Guys
This might seem a stupid question or an unanswerable one.
Yesterday I was driving my 94 Wentworth when all of a sudden I heard an odd noise which sounded like something scraping along the ground. It varied with speed. When I stopped to look under the car I noticed that there was oil dripping (quite fast) from the anti-roll bar. Obviously, the oil is running down something to land on there. The noise I am pretty sure must have been the oil dripping onto the exhaust and sizzling. When I got back in the car it carried on with the same noise and then stopped. I watched the temprature gauge and oil pressure light like a hawk but no sign. After a mile or two, the noise stopped. When I next stopped, I looked under the car and at most it was a slow drip. I got back home having bought some new semi synth oil and some STP addative to stop leaks. The car is still leaking a bit from the same spot on the drive but seems okay although there is a smell of hot oil under the bonnet. When I looked, there seems to be oil over the cam cover but I could not see a leak from anywhere obvious.
Any ideas?

[Peter Milnes]

Might seem obvious but have you checked on the state of the PCV system? When clogged this results in oil coming from everywhere in particular a weak spot that has developed. Thoroughly clean and check the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) system if your car is non-turbo there will be a filter in the "Y-piece", If a turbo car then no filter. A kit, which will also place the "Y-piece" above the manifold, is available from German, Swedish & French. When cleaned (do not forget the nipple on the top of the inlet manifold) thoroughly degunk the engine and check for signs of leakage developing.

All the best, Peter.

Might sound stupid (lol) but what is the PCV system? Can you tell me more about this conversion thing you mention including contact details, costs etc. BTW.. mine is the turbo.
Thanks for you help though....much appreciated!

Well upon cleaning it up and then watching what happened when the car was reved it seems its not oil but water which is running out. It seems to be underneath the Fourth spark plug (nearest bulkhead) and then dripping on to the exhaust. I think its then running down the engine and dripping on to the anti-roll bar which is oily and that is why I thought it was oil. It was oily water (I think). Got some stuff which is supposed to cure any water leaks so will see what that does!!!! Its either that or a garage visit which I would imagine would be costly!!!!!

Just a thought.......

Your oil/water leak may be coming from one of the pipes that carry water to the heater which are located near the bulk head.

If you have had any coolant loss they are worth checking carefully as they are very stiff and tend to only show splits as the water warms up and softens the pipe.

If you haven't lost any coolant then disregard this note.

Phil