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

I have the same thing, but leak is still slow. It could be the oil cooler hose (or something like that) according to my mechanic, apparently very common and easy to fix. taking mine in Tues to have it diagnosed.

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

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