Mystery Oil Leak - Feel Stupid I can't find

[jmkari]

I finally finished my '07 CX-7 engine rebuild. The engine runs great, but I have a significant oil leak on the passenger side. If I run the car in park and move the steering wheel from side to side I don't seem to get any leak. But if I drive around the block I have oil dripping from the axle shaft, frame, suspension, etc. Most of the oil seems to be concentrated right around the axle CV boot (I replaced the passenger axle while I was rebuilding the engine due to a torn boot). The engine oil level doesn't appear to have gone down. I think the power steering level might be lower. I was thinking it was the power steering line, but it doesn't seem to leak when the car is in park and the engine is running and I turn the wheel lock to lock. Given the amount of oil, I feel a little stupid that I can't find the source. I thought about putting dye in the power steering fluid to see if I can at least confirm it is power steering fluid. I hate to drive it too much given the fact that the oil is getting on the belt and alternator.

I really appreciate any tips. I assume the CV joints are packed with grease and not oil. I was thinking beyond the power steering line, possibly the steering rack at the passenger boot.

Thanks for any tips,

Jim

[Djohns]

Do you have any pictures you can post and we can take a peek at?

[jmkari]

Great thought, I'll take some pics and post them.

Thanks,


Jim

[Djohns]

No problem. Try to get all around and everything covered in oil, everything above it, your wife, the center but from under the car, because it could be the turbo, your girlfriend, and maybe the passenger mount as well because why not.

[sheston]

Does it smell like oil, or power steering fluid, or motor mount guts.....

[jmkari]

Boy I didn't know the motor mount has oil in it. A lot of the oil was right behind the passenger mount on the top of the frame rail. I'll take the car out for another drive in the morning and then post some pics from various angles.

Thanks again,

Jim

[jmkari]

I think I figured out my leak and yes I still feel stupid. When I bought the CX-7 the engine was half apart due to a dropped valve. I didn't notice that there was a bolt missing from the timing cover. I think it's the access bolt that you remove if you want to hold the chain guide in place. It goes right above the idler pulley. I think it is referred to as the upper blind plug. On the Mazda parts sheet the number is 9XF00-0117L. Does anyone know what size this bolt is supposed to be? I want to make sure I don't put too long of a bolt in the cover and then contact the guide.

Thanks again for all the help.

Jim