What the hell is this thing on my S-38 ? :) (archive)

Ok, so i've got a _Bad_ oil leak. Its coming somewhere from the passenger side of the front of the motor. The top of the ac compressor is soaked in oil. Yesterday a friend managed to find a higher spot covered in fresh oil. Problem is, we have no idea what it is.

So, on the exhaust side of the S-38, theres the two exhaust manifolds, and then theres a big silver pipe. Looks like its cooling system stuff (as it later attaches to the upper radiator hose :)

At the front of this pipe, it like fans out into 3 or 4 other things. One of them is mounted at the bottom, towrads the motor. It's a little (about 2" in diameter) disc shaped thing and its nearly impossible to see. This is where we're seeing (well, feeling) a lot of fresh looking oil. The big "ring" on this disc spins pretty freely.

What is this thing ? Should it be leaking oil ? Is my oil leak higher up than this thing and this is just getting dripped on ? I can barely see it.

My only possible guess is that its a thermostat, but thats only because its round and looks like its tacked onto the cooling system, and i cant see where else on my motor the thermostat would be :)

Help!

Thanks,
Matt

Follow Ups:

Check the oil return pipe Curt K. 12:34 4/27/2001 (0)
That is your Hydrolic chain tensioner. frank 20:31 4/26/2001 (0)
Re: What the hell is this thing on my S-38 ? :) fastbimmer 18:05 4/26/2001 (0)
Re: What the hell is this thing on my S-38 ? :) Todd Kenyon 17:29 4/26/2001 (0)
Re: What the hell is this thing on my S-38 ? :) johnh 14:49 4/26/2001 (0)

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