Phantom oil leak

[D Rock]

I've got a 2012 and for the last few weeks there's been oil leaking down the backside of the engine. After today it's four visits to the dealership and 6 days they've had the car to fix this leak. At first was told oil pan gasket, so had them reseal it. Then it was crank seal, so had it done. Now the second to last visit it was the front cover gasket, so had that done. Now since I'm beyond warranty I'm $1700 invested in an oil leak and they spent two hours today and couldn't figure it out.

I've done research looking for answers but haven't found any threads that seem to fit this same issue that wasn't corrected by any of the fixes ive had done. The oil is coming from somewhere near the alternator. I don't see any oil on the top part of the block and it's definitely covering the block on the underside of the alternator and possibly a little higher. After they did the front cover it only seems to leak after driving the car. I let it sit a half hour after cleaning everything and got nothing and today they did the same with the same results. Has anyone heard of this before to have any suggestions on what it could be? Other then this leak and my transmission screaming like a banshee I love this car so I'd like to get this fixed and hang onto to her. Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[Italianjoe1]

Not coming from the valve cover area?

I'd have to see it to have a better idea, but in general a leak can go quite a ways down before you see it if it's following a seam.

 

[D Rock]

Nope I wiped around the while backside and no oil signs at all. The top of the block, what is visible from the bay, looks spotless. I even wiped around the sensor on the back thinking maybe it's that but nothing either. Worse part is that it has to be driven now for it to leak so can't sit there with the uv light and watch.

 

[5.0]

If they replaced all that, I think the only thing left on that side of the engine would be the camshaft seals.


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[D Rock]

Yea I'm pretty sure that's the only thing we haven't changed but they are clearly visible and definitely not leaking. It's the fact it's not leaking unless I drive it that's bothering me. Means it has to be up high but unless it's the cover gasket again the dealer and I are stumped. Hopefully corporate gets back with some solid diagnostic.

 

[D Rock]

A few pictures I got today when had the chance to get it on the pit. It looked the wettest right above the alternator on a section of the block.

 

[D Rock]

Consistently getting this amount of oil every night.

 

[Papasonic]

Wow, you rapidly are approaching the cost of a replacement engine for the money spent on an oil leak. I feel your frustration!

 

[RMinNJ]

Coming out of the bottom crank on side of the engine maybe ?

 

[D Rock]

No it's definitely coming from up high. Had it at dealer today and their determination is that it's a bad non return valve in the intake. Doesn't sound right to me but produced a bulletin that says one of the symptoms of the issue would be .9 liters of oil leaking every 3200 miles. Not sure if I'm willing to make the $425 leap of faith for a new intake until I find more on this to see if is legit.

 

[Natesriv]

If the dealership did the work I'd suspect they'd warranty it. I wouldn't pay a dime for any more work as they've failed multiple times to get it right.

 

[D Rock]

I've got an appointment tomorrow with another dealership for a dye test. I have my own light and looked tonight and to me it looks like front cover still. Hopefully they agree tomorrow and they said they'd redo it under warranty I just need to bring my bill.