[240] engine compartment covered in oil...

Took my trusty '83 245 to San Diego and left it in the lot while I
enjoyed 10 days on the high seas, fishing and relaxing.
Made the 100 mile drive back home yesterday. No problemo, no smoke...
Took a short drive last night and noticed smoke from under the hood.
Got a stream of oil running from the (passenger side) front corner of
the head.
(haven't replaced the engine harness yet but I don't think that's it *g*)
Flame Trap has not been changed lately... as in maybe 50k miles.
Going to change that tonight but judging by the amount of oil running
out, did I blow the front cam seal out?
That would suck...

 

Hard to say about the cam seal, but start with the flame trap. That is
undoubtedly the root of the problem. Clean that up, then clean up the engine
and see how you are doing. 240s with plugged flame traps are famous for
taking oil baths.

Mike

 

Yes it sounds like you blew the cam seal out, it really isn't that big
of a deal if you've got a decent socket set and some basic hand tools.

 

Peeked in there with a flashlight and see the seal sitting out against
the back of the cam gear flange... Fixing it is a piece of pie. Keeping
it going until Friday when I can do the work isn't.
I pushed the seal back in. Run it with the cap loose to let the pressure
out. Damn, I wish I had picked up a flame trap when I changed the oil
last month. Looked at it but didn't buy it.
You know of any good photos on the net showing the flame trap in place?
All the pictures I find are nice clean new parts and don't look anything
like the krap under the intake manifold.

 

clean it out well and replace its easy even I can do it .

 

Hi Clay:

I had a ´82 244, and I had that problem, with the only difference that
what got blown was the crankcase cover!!!, was the flame trap that
surge pressured the system.

Later, on a ´86 740 Turbo Intercooler the PCV hose got bent
(mechanics, you know) and the car blowed the front seal as well as
moved the oil dipstick about 1 1/2 inchs. upwards!!!

I think is something very similar: not expensive at all, but very
dangerous.

Wish you luck

Oscar

 

I'm glad it didn't happen on the drive up from San Diego. It would have
pumped all the oil out and, unless I got very lucky and spotted it,
probably trashed the engine.
My dipstick never moved. No indication it was plugged, or nearly plugged
until is started pumping oil out the cam seal.
Now that I've changed the flame trap, I see there's no reason not to
pull it and check and/or replace every oil change.