QuestionQUESTION: 1995 sidekick jx .
ON occasion I am getting a slight spray of oil that seems to be originating from the crankshaft seal area but like I said its not all the time maybe once every 5 days even under load it doesn't leak, but then all of a sudden I'll have a slight film of oil ( I have the timing cover removed) down by the crankshaft then with drops being thrown in a spray pattern over to the radiator bottom hose up to the hood and over to the powersteering unit which also leaks and sits over the belts. The thing is from where the seal is to the radiator hose the alt and alt pulley are in the way and dont get hit. And the pulley and belt under the powersteering bottle dont seem to be getting dripped on, I cant figure this out.
if this was the crankshaft seal wouldn't it leak all the time?
ANSWER: I would expect that it would leak at a continuous rate, but I'm just a mere human, and am not privy to the secrets of the universe.
It's possible that the pcv valve is acting up and causing variations in crankcase pressure. In any case, replace the seal, and maybe the pcv valve too it's pretty easy to do. While you're in there, how about the cam seal, the water pump, and timing belt and tensioner pulley? If they're anywhere over 40k, you might as well. At least you won't have to go in there for awhile, if you do.
scotty
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QUESTION: I use this car to deliver papers at night, If I have to use it during the day when its hotter, the engine knocks and pings and I seem to loose power. I did recently replace the head because of an internal anti leak, but since then no leaks other than the oil problem from previouse question. Any suggestions?
ANSWER: Usually, this is a symptom of a couple of things, most likely are timing too advanced, or a lean mixture, possibly caused by an intake air leak, a marginal oxy sensor, or a number of other things. Careful methocdical diagnosis is the only way to find these things.
scotty
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QUESTION: with a sliding distributor on my sidekick, to advance the timing would I slide it towards the back of the motor or slide it forward?
AnswerDo it this way - Take the cap off, and have someone crank the motor, and look at which way the rotor turns. That's the direction of operation. Rotating the distributor in the direction of operation retards the timing, rotating against the direction of operation advances timing. NOTE TIMING BY EAR WAS FINE IN THE FIFTIES AND SIXTIES. USE A TIMING LIGHT. STONE AXE PROCEDURES BELONG IN THE LAST CENTURY.
scotty
