96 Sidekick Sport - oil leak

[gkainz]

We just replaced the clutch and rear crank oil seal on my son-in-law's 96 Sidekick Sport last weekend, but it appears that the engine is still leaking pretty good somewhere. Any other common oil leak spots on the 1.8l?

[newzuki]

When I got my 98 Sport, it started leaking from the rear main seal. It was a big leak from where the engine and transmission meet.

[gkainz]

Yep - that's what we replaced because that's where the leak appeared to be coming from to me, as well.

[jtgh]

you didnt state country ( many EU 96 come with carbs)
the smell and look test.
look on garage floor, if red, tranny , if stink like heck , gear oil, if smells same as dip stick, it must be engine oil. looks mostly clear and very sweet, Master Cyc. leak .
96 1.8L sport 5sp.
The BEST technique is clean engine and tranny,
drive 25 miles, look , bingo ! Got yah! 100% effective.


Windage always hides source !


assuming engine leak. (one liners)
front seal.
rear seal.
valve cover seal
head gasket
oil pressure sender.
cam cover seal ( cam chain cover gasket)
something associated with that strange chain driven oil pump.
oil pan gasket. (unlikely on yours , unless someone messed with it.)


The 1.8 is unique in that it has 2 cams, chain driven.
and a special oil pump.

Everything I just said could be lie if not in USA.
we do get postes world wide here, even Qutar in the Saudi.

[gkainz]

It's my son-in-law's car; a US model 1.8L Sport 5spd.

The leak is without a doubt engine oil, and starts at the bell housing (but as you noted, everything down wind is covered in oil). Anyway, I'll have him degrease and power wash it, drive it and we'll start checking everything you noted.

I'm hoping it's just still dripping from all the oil that leaked out and covered everything before we changed the rear main seal.

Thanks for the info.

[jtgh]

also the o-ring on CAS sensor can crack (common) and run a river of oil.
the back of the engine at the valvecover can leak very badly.
these two were the worst leakers ( and cheapest to fix)

is our CAS Front or rear. my guess is rear but my EPC keeps it a secret.

[gkainz]

I'm not familiar with "CAS" sensor?