Miata Mailing List: August 1999, Message #451

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At 12:59 AM -0400 8/4/99, mikelowe@pop.c-com.net wrote:
>
>Here are my guesses as to what may be leaking.  Please add any
>others you know of.
>
>1.  Front engine seal
>2.  Cam angle sensor seal
>3.  Oil pressure sensor where it screws into the block.
>4.  Oil filter seal (I have the new cheaper Mazda filter)
>5.  Where the oil cooler connects to the block next to the oil filter
>6.  <insert guess here>
 
Mike,

If you rule out all of the above, take a close look at the right and 
left REAR corners of the block where it meets the head.  There are 
two oil return passages back there that are VERY close the outside 
edge of the block.  It is not uncommon for the head gasket to seep 
some oil in those locations.  In my experience, this is especially 
true if you are running a synthetic oil (Mobil 1 seems to be a 
culprit).

Good luck!

Mark Booth
1992 "B" Classic Red
Team Voodoo Titanium!
Age & Treachery Racing
Membership Dude / San Diego Miata Club
[http://www.SanDiegoMiataClub.org]