Really at end of tether with sump leak on 8v vit 4u2

[npjrogers@btinternet.com]

I have successfully dropped the sump on my santana vit 8v g16a. Cleaned meticulously and resealed with rtv. Took great care and didnt hurry the job.. So now my heart is broken sore to find the oil p***ing out of the sump just forward of the filter. I mean it really leaks visibly dripping steadily. Now I cant seem to get the pan off again as the rtv has stuck real good. Is it possible that the leak is coming from around the oil pump. Has anyone been here before and can advise.
Nick
Belfast

[twiss]

Did you tighten the sump nuts using the clock face method?
ie. one side then the other, then the other, then the other etc

if not it could be overtightened on one side which would cause the leak!
I think the service manual even has a specific torque to do the nuts up to...

[twiss]

Well, had a look in the service manual, it says a slightly different method of tightening... however, there is a torque spec for the nuts

httpwww.4x4.in.thmanual_sj413chapter3.pdf - Opera_2013-05-16_16-38-06.jpg (106.97 KiB) Viewed 6993 times

httpwww.4x4.in.thmanual_sj413chapter3.pdf - Opera_2013-05-16_16-41-26.jpg (171.66 KiB) Viewed 6993 times

[npjrogers@btinternet.com]

I wish i could say I made a mistake but I dont think I did. I tightened from the middle outwards and all were at the correct torque.
Nick

[ScottieJ]

Are you 100% sure it's from the sump, couldn't be dripping from the oil filter could it and just running down to a point that it looks like its coming from the sump? have you tried to tighten the oil filter a bit more?

[npjrogers@btinternet.com]

Unfortunatly am absolutely sure it is not from the filter. I must admit i did wonder about the filter so I fitted a new filter and tightened it the correct 3/4 turn past seal contact. However befor I remove the front diff I will remove and refit the filter. What sort of mess would I get if the oil pump gasket was the problem. Would I be getting oil into the timing belt casing? Fortunatly that area is totally dry.
Nick

[npjrogers@btinternet.com]

If the oil pump casing (and therefore the front section of the oil pan seal) is not perfectly flush with the rest of the engine block (which it is not, the oil pump casting sits about 10-15 thou shy (not proud) of the rest of the engine block. Surely that would create a potential leak path. What if I were to tighten the studs and bolts from the front towards the back, rather than starting in the middle and working outwards as per the manual. Would this cure the problem, rather than having to remove the engine.
Nick
Belfast

[donkeychomp]

Might be a bark in the dark but have you tried this...if you can get the sump off again and get all the sealant scraped off, maybe try some grinding paste on a piece of glass. The only time I've done this is with bike engines but the principle is sound and you'll have a dead smooth and straight sump.

If that fails get a hammer...a big one.