Iron_dog

Hi everybody,
I'm trying to fix an oil leak that has been there from where I bought the car (2 years ago...). Now that I have fixed many other problems, it's time to stop putting cardboards under the car!
The leak is quite big so it should be no problem to identify it (I hope).
These are some picture of the leak area.

Jud Chapin

The best way to find a leak is to clean all traces of the oil from the leak area and then let the engine run. You can usually find it pretty quick, and as you say, with your size leak, it should be easy to pin point. Have you checked the valve cover? Once you've cleaned the area and let the engine run a little, run your finger around the rear base of the valve cover to see if it's leaking there. Good luck.

Iron_dog

Valve cover is ok, no leak over there. Leaky/dirty parts starts from starter area level. The pictures you see are made after having cleaned the area (the best I can...) and made some miles. What's in the back of the starter that can leak? Maybe removing the starter can help identify the leak? I don't know how to remove it by the way...

Jud Chapin

Keep mind that when you drive the car, the wind will blow the oil toward the rear. That is why I said just let the engine run after clean up. Seeing oil dripping off the exhaust pipe, that's quite a leak and should be pretty easy to see where its coming from after clean up.

AirborneSilva

Fuel pump?

Iron_dog

fuel pump leaking oil?

4 speed

I was thinking VC, but it was pretty clean above the starter, then I thought fuel pump too , wind blowing the oil back.

could you hold your CLUTCH fan, and have someone start and stop the engine so the fan doesn't blow the oil around.

there is also a dye you can put in your oil then use a black light to find the leak.

Sean77

Fuel pump works off the cam, had one go bad and put gas in the oil, soo maybe a bad gasket.

Flyinace3

I have a 1980 with that is leaking in the same place. Mine leaks only at high rpm. This weekend I'm pulling the starter to get a better look. Mine looks like it could be the dipstick tube that is leaking
The oil drips right on the exhaust pipe .

AirborneSilva

Well yeah, where it attaches to the motor there is oil behind there!

4 speed

I would think the oil level would be below the dip stick tube, and returning oil wouldn't run up with out pressure behind it.

is your level high, or do you have something like blow by pressuring the block?

Iron_dog

Also mine leaks more when at higher RPM! But my dipstick tube is in the driver side while the starter is in passenger side...

Flyinace3

My starter and dipstick are on pass side and I only notice the oil leaking after running thru the gears shifting at 4500 rpm. During normal driving I never see oil on my garage or smell it from hitting the exhaust head pipe. I will be looking in to it this weekend while I am installing sidepipes

Arkyvette

My 82 has this same leak. I was thinking rear main seal slinging it around and ending up there.

Rebelrob

That is probably a leak from the back of the intake manifold. The oil runs down the back side of the engine and can end up all over your starter, bottom of oil pan and trans.

MotorHead

Oil will flow to the lowest part on the motor. Invest $30 in a leak detection kit at NAPA, I have had one for years and they work great, it will usually surprise you at where the leak is coming from

Jud Chapin

Good point. To check this, wipe the rear of the intake gasket area clean and run the engine. After a few minutes, wipe a finger along the gasket line and see what u got.

Iron_dog

What is this hole with the thread??? never seen it before I took pictures of it... maybe the source of leaking??

Jig A Low

the hole your pointing to is a mount location for a wire loom, it doesn't go all the way through the block unless someone has put too long of a screw in it, even if it did, I'm pretty sure it would be water and not oil.

Iron_dog

Thanks!