Engine/Engine Compartment: Visual check for leaks

Special tool: not required.

• Loosen and remove the engine top cover.
• Remove bottom engine compartment cover.
• Inspect and make sure that the pipelines, hoses and joints of the following systems are tight, that there are no abrasions, porosity and that there are no ruptures: fuel supply systems; engine cooling and interior heating systems; braking system.

Finding oil leaks

If the engine oil consumption is high, oil leaks must be found. To do this, check the following places:

• Open the oil filler cap and check the seal for porosity and damage.
• Crankcase ventilation system: for example, a hose from the cylinder head cover to the air intake hose.
• Cylinder head cover seal.
• Cylinder head seal.
• Oil drain plug (sealing ring).
• Oil filter seal: where the oil filter meets the flange.
• Oil pan seal.
• Front and rear camshaft and crankshaft seals.

Since oil usually spreads over a large area in case of leaks, it can be quite difficult to determine the location of the leak at a glance. When searching for leaks, it is advisable to proceed as described below.

• Wash the engine: pre-cover the generator with plastic wrap. Spray the engine with a standard cleaning agent and after a while wash everything off the engine with a jet of water.
• Sprinkle joints and seals outside the engine with chalk or talcum powder.
• Check the oil level, top up if necessary.
• Carry out an inspection trip. Since the oil becomes liquid in a hot engine and therefore flows out faster at leaks, it is recommended that the test drive be carried out over a section of about 30 km on a highway.
• In conclusion, inspect the engine using a lamp, find leaks and troubleshoot.

Checking the cooling system

• The hoses must be put on the connecting pipes to the end.
• Check the reliability of the fastening of the hoses with clamps, if necessary, replace the clamps.
• Check the expansion tank cap seal for damage.

Attention: Too low coolant level may be the result of an incorrectly screwed cap on the expansion tank.

• Obvious loss of coolant and/or the presence of oil in the coolant, as well as a white exhaust gas when the engine is warm, indicates a defective cylinder head gasket.

Attention. Finding a leak is sometimes very difficult. In this case, a pressure test of the cooling system is recommended. At the same time, you can also check the overpressure valve in the cap of the expansion tank.

• Install the engine top cover.
• Set bottom engine compartment cover.