Hi, I sometimes noticed the tinyest smell of hot oil / rubber from the engine after a hard drive, then stationary. Whilst cleaning I found a slight oily, dirty deposit building on a cast alloy tube at the front of the engine. Appears to be a coolant pipe feed. Just wondering whats around or above it that may be weeping slightly and if its worth even putting right ast some point.
The tube enters right under the middle of the cambelt cover. Could it be dropping from the crank pulley seal perhaps or maybe dipstick lower seal?

Just curious, and dont have intimate knowledge of the motor as its new to me.

Steve.

 

bttt?

 

Possible rocker cover gasket leak on the driver's side. Quite a common fault. The oil drips onto the manifold which gives off a 'nice' burning smell.
Not terminal, had it on my sti 4 for around a year now. I changed the gasket myself (£20 from dealer). Seems to have stopped the leak, but now all the oil that dripped onto the manifold when I took the rocker cover off, is now slowly burning off!

 

Thanks Chris, just what I was after. Located some schematics but not clear enough. Worse after idling stationary when hot or following a hot start then idle so it would make sense. I guess there is a big pool sat in the heads on a boxer at times.

Cheers,
Steve.

 

From your description as to where the 'dampness ' is, i'd say front crank seal.... which oddly enough is dead centre at the front of the engine..!

 

Yes, another posibility. That can wait until cambelt time as its so minor.
Do you know if it's possible to pull the front seal out & replace by simply having cambelt and pulley off?