Hi All, hope you might be able to assist/advise.

I'm doing my best to determine the location of a top end oil leak currently affecting my 2012 4.4TDV8 Westminster. I initially had an oil leak beginning of the year which turned out to be the seals on the oil cooler. These, along with the known 'o' ring seals were replaced and the car was fine for a good few months.

I noticed a number of further drips on the drive a few weeks ago and the RH underside was exceptionally wet with oil. Took it back into the garage for them to clean it all off and diagnosed it as the RH rocker cover gasket. They informed me they tightened the bolts on the RH cover and all was well for around a week (500 miles completed approx.). Just noticed this morning the leak is back.

The thing that still puzzles me is there is standing puddles of oil on top of the inlet manifold and RH rocker cover. This seems so high up for oil to sit that surely it must be spraying out(which I've not observed).

Before I embark on the lengthy task of replacing the rocker cover gaskets I've attached a few photos showing the high puddling of oil. Are rocker cover gaskets a common leak location?

Bare in mind the car is just shy of 180k miles, whilst I love it and would hate to part with it I feel like the last 6 months have been constant problems!

It could be the oi cooler itself, not just the gaskets. it is 2 parts and they have been known to warp slightly, thus leaking oil. I had mine replaced and all is wonderful again.

Hi, I did wonder that. The only thing that would still be puzzling me is how the puddles of oil are getting up higher than the oil cooler. There is even oil staining to the underside of the engine cover which gives off the impression something is spraying up, even though its unlikely.

I'd take it to a recommended specialist for a second opinion. I use www.glenrands.co.uk and nobody else these days. Loan cars or am sure they'd drop you at local railway station. Tell then I sent you  Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
New Defender D300 90
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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Hi Goodluck247

I have exactly the same problem
Did you ever discover how and where the top end oil was originating from ?

Always worth noting that if you just replaced the O rings and gaskets and not the oil cooler, that oil cooler gasket could have failed, been over torqued or was installed slightly off. When I had this issue I took the advice the guys gave me here and replaced the complete unit as it was quite cheap. When I compared the new and the old cooler you could see how oil could leak from a flattened or over compressed gasket.

First thing I would do it give the complete are a good hand cleaning with some cloths and brake clean or something similar and start looking for your leak again before you replace anything else. Current yokes
2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster
2006 Disco 3
Scoobie GT wagon
Mx5 G Ltd
TT S Line
Pajero JDM Exceed

kernokerno wrote:

Hi Goodluck247

I have exactly the same problem
Did you ever discover how and where the top end oil was originating from ?

Now that I look at the pictures closer it would also be worth looking at that EGR return pipe and just making sure its not damaged, your intake manifold could also have a crack and the hoses on the 4 pipes going into the doughnut are also well known for failing.

a really good clean, put her back together, idle it for a while to see if you have any weeping but as Jaydee mentioned this could be misting which is harder to detect than a drip leak but a smoke test can find that so its not impossible to do Current yokes
2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster
2006 Disco 3
Scoobie GT wagon
Mx5 G Ltd
TT S Line
Pajero JDM Exceed

The concentration of oil in the one area under the engine cover would be the best clue to the source. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

So looking at the engine cover LHS where it clips onto engine is where the highest concentration of oil is deposited

Check the front of the engine and in particular any oil contamination on aux drive belt ( Any squeal on startup?) as this is also the area of the oil pump which can be prone to leaks and it may be throwing oil up. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

Somewhere on this site there is a mention of a bolt or plug that comes loose near the back of the oil pump/vacuum pump that needs taking out and resealing. It's hard to see though.

Just like to mention due to health issues been unable to look at this problem for quite some time, so oil has had plenty of time to spread from original leak location.
Plenty of oil at the front of engine, no squeal on start up but have oil deposit on belt and also blades on cooling fan have oil on them.
Looks like an absolute nightmare to clean everything down, so will be difficult to tell if leak is from top down or from oil pump.

You can buy 5L quantities of brake cleaner and a specific brake cleaner sprayer bottle and this will clean everything down nicley. Fingers crossed the leak is on the oil pump as this is an easier job than replacing the intake gaskets. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)