QuestionEngine has about 90K miles on it. No major work has been done to the engine. Oil pressure gage sitting at 80 pounds. Excessive oil leak developed from rear of engine. Removed transaxle to look. Rear main looks dry. Oil trails seem to be coming from the camshaft rear seal/gasket. Do you know if this is a common gasket problem with this engine or do we have to look for something else that would be causing this?
AnswerI have read in my Fieros (also a 2.8 V6 H.O.) service manual that it is a good idea to remove the camshaft cover and clean the surfaces and use RTV sealant and put on the plate again, because there is no gasket for that plate. I had my mechanic reseal mine when I had a new clutch put in so I would not have any leaks and also had the rear main seal replaced since some small leakings was visible.
They may have used a gasket from the factory, but to reseal that you will have to use regualar RTV sealant which is just as good if not better, anyway you have to use RTV sealant on gaskets too.
That is what I would do if that plate is indeed leaking.
Also, I have no idea if it is a common problem, I've never heard of it being common among the Fiero community, so maybe it's just a random occurance.
Also, the PSI for the pressure being at 80 seems VERY excessive. According to the service manual, at 2000 RPM the guage should read 40 psi. So maybe your oil pressure sending unit is bad or something, or if the oil pump was ever replaced it may have been replaced with a high flow unit, in which case that pressure is OK.
