Minor oil leak

Migliore

Junior Member
Messages
129
I noticed a small drop of oil on the garage floor when I parked up tonight ( I was checking for water leaks after my recent expansion tank replacement saga ).
It would appear to be from the region of the front pulley, is this a common occurrence?

I plan an oil change and was going to enquiry about the hot start sensor replacement.
When the motor doesn’t get a good kick at the start up the tapping is quite pronounced, at what point should I seek out the variator replacement ?

Is this the likely cause on this model?
I’m at 51k miles in a 2005 Facelift
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
Identify what type of oil it is engine or power steering (PS fluid will be red) both can leak around this area

There is the seal around the front of the engine I guess it's called the timing chain cover(?) I have been told when the gasket goes it can leak at the bottom of it - happily not had to deal with that one but I think it has been done by a previous owner of my car.

Regarding the rattle @Gp79 had a top end rattle which he identified as a blocked oil breather maybe it is the same thing(?)
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
My guess it will be the PS radiator or the water radiator.

Have a look through the grill at the rads, you will see at the top there is a thin rad, look to see if its wet down the left side below it onto the rads. Its the usual one and the PS radiator.
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,656
I think a fair number have the top end rattle ..If it doesnt clear really very quickly, you may have a problem with a lack of oil in the top end , certainly.
Otherwise it has been discussed extensively in the past from what I have gleaned. You can try replacing the threaded one way oil valve in the cylinder head (item 14 in the diagram below) It is a spring loaded ball bearing type and the springs get tired. It has been reported widely to alleviate top end rattle at start up...
I havent fitted the one I recently acquired but access, and so fitting, would seem to be straight forward...

Leaking PS rad is an MOT failure...!
 

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FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
I think a fair number have the top end rattle ..If it doesnt clear really very quickly, you may have a problem with a lack of oil in the top end , certainly.
Otherwise it has been discussed extensively in the past from what I have gleaned. You can try replacing the threaded one way oil valve in the cylinder head (item 14 in the diagram below) It is a spring loaded ball bearing type and the springs get tired. It has been reported widely to alleviate top end rattle at start up...
I havent fitted the one I recently acquired but access, and so fitting, would seem to be straight forward...

Leaking PS rad is an MOT failure...!

Lots of good info on this thread for the OP https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/top-end-rattle-at-start-up.22107/

Very easy to change and a cheap part - think I will add this one to the winter lay up list

Edit: just ordered the non-return valve from Ross at Meridien, he ordered the Ferrari part which is a third cheaper than the Maserati "version" so it came to circa £16 with the washer (inc forum discount)
 
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Migliore

Junior Member
Messages
129
Thanks for all of that information, I’m pretty sure it’s engine oil. The rad is something to check though.
I replaced the spring return valve last year and it didn’t make a lot of difference I think I may have scared myself into hearing too much!
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
It took me a while to get used to the sound of chain driven petrol engines having Very smooth belt driven engines from an early age but after experiencing a few Merc's and BMWs when I got the 4200 I think it runs pretty sweet.

One solution is to make the exhaust louder XD

But seriously if its that bad post up a video
 

Evo Cymru

Member
Messages
688
I had the front crank seal replaced earlier this year which sounds like it may be your problem - apparently a commonish seal to go - fairly easy to check from under the car and can be replaced with the radiator still in although it depends how easily the pulley comes off! I had to change my leaking rad anyway...