Cobra4B

I'm seriously **** when it comes to the car's mechanics, I've never hosed off under the hood though b/c the knock sensors weren't seled until now... I installed my tunnel plate heat shield tonight and started looking over the underside of the car. Since I have so much of the car apart I can actually see the lower part of the timing chain cover. I was cleaning off the crank pully, had track boogers on it (rubber from racing tires) and I saw that my fingers were comming out black... so I inspected closer and found this...



Also grease buildup on the powersteering gear


I looked on ls1howto and realized all those pics show this area and the crossmember filthy, mine looks nothing like that. Is something seeping or is this "normal" over time.

The car was re-ringed back in '04 w/o issue. Being my **** self I got out some brake clean and shot up the area, then guessing brake clean might be to hardcore I hosed the front of the motor off then got out simple green sprayed it all over, then hosed off again.

Is there something "wrong" or is it normal for this area to have a little buildup over time for a car that gets driven hard and almost everyday?

BQuicksilver

I had almost the exact same oil spot when doing my H/C at 55k miles on my 02. I just assumed it was the car being dirty, but after getting my hands in there it was oily.

In my case, the round seal under the crank pulley in that timing chain cover (sorry, can't recall the name, but I'm sure someone will) was very worn. The problem has not returned since replacing it.

VetteDrmr

After 140K+ miles, numerous autox and track days, my front seal leaks a small amount of oil. It doesn't take much to make a mess, and considering the work that is involved to replace the front main seal, I'm just going to leave mine alone.

So, I think you're fine with the seepage you're seeing.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

gpm30236

Mine looked a lot worse than that at 80K ,

Cobra4B

Thanks guys... I'm just going to clean the car very very good after I get it all back together and keep an eye on it. It must be very minor as I've never cleaned the area and it's not terribly bad. Not enough to make the x-member dirty or ge the oil pan dirty.

0Randy@DRM

They love to leak from the front cover to the oil pan too. The seals are pretty good but the wear a grove into the balancer. Then start to leak.

Randy

Cobra4B

^ Thanks guys... like I said I'll clean it up and keep an eye on it for excessive leaking. I think it's just seeped some over time and build up dirt.

It's making me wish I'd done a cam now Oh well.