Oil leak at EGR cooler 1987 FJ60

[savage99]

Hey guys, first time poster with a 1987 FJ60, 138,000 miles. I have a mysterious oil leak around the EGR cooler on the side of the engine below the carb, seems to be directly behind the cooler...not coming from above... ..had a mechanic tell me it blowby causing this? Makes no sense to me as I've tracked oil consumption for 1,000 miles and it appears to be no more than a shotglass full, which corresponds to what is on the garage floor.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.....

 

[hank14]

I don't know what it would be that is that low by the EGR cooler. I've had my EGR cooler, EGR valve, Manifolds, J-tube, and pretty much everything else off that side of the engine- no leaks. Are you sure it's not PS fluid or oil coming from the valve cover gasket?

 

[savage99]

Hank, I've tried all manner of lighting and angles to see if this is originating from higher up and just can't spot it; there has been oil puddling behind the EGR cooler apparently for some time, sort of caked between the cooler and the engine block. I got most of that cleaned off and now after driving a few miles the oil seems to originate at the EGR cooler, run down the lip above the oil pan and drip off the area at the back of the oil pan. It is not the pan gasket; just replaced that and it definately comes from above. Hard to see , of course with all the emissions hoses, carb, etc on that side...

 

[hank14]

Do you think it's coming from directly behind the oil cooler, i.e.- between the oil cooler and the block? The best I can tell- the oil cooler is held in place by the 2 bolts that thread into blind holes in the block- there is no opening into the block requiring a gasket or seal of any type. So, if it is truly leaking there, you must have a crack- not good news. I can't imagine that to be the case, though.

Hopefully, it's dissipating from somewhere else.

 

[3_puppies]

Do you think it's coming from directly behind the oil cooler, i.e.- between the oil cooler and the block? The best I can tell- the oil cooler is held in place by the 2 bolts that thread into blind holes in the block- there is no opening into the block requiring a gasket or seal of any type. So, if it is truly leaking there, you must have a crack- not good news. I can't imagine that to be the case, though.

Hopefully, it's dissipating from somewhere else.

the oil cooler is on the other side of the block?????

originally I was thinking what your mechanic suggested. did you try a compression test and a leak down test? that would tell you if it's internal in the engine.

 

[hank14]

the oil cooler is on the other side of the block?????

You're right- I meant EGR cooler. :whoops:

 

[savage99]

Thanks guys...I will pick up a compression tester today and rule that out at least; the leak is definately engine oil with the origin right at the EGR cooler.
Either scenario does'nt look like an easy fix at this point........

 

[Brock]

if it is oil then you got much larger problems as the EGR just passes exhaust gases so they are recirculated and burned more completely...no oil or fluid connection at all. Where it bolts to block you have your freeze plugs but that would be coolant not oil. Sounds like a oil leak coming from somewhere else that is finding its way due to air turbulence...or dare I say a crack in block where an oil passage way is located.