When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So my 72 has minor oil and ATF leaks, usually in pretty normal places and usually consistent in when it leaks. This time... there’s a leak on a crossmember for my frame? Tried wiping it down and it’s filthy, so maybe I should clean it up then check it out.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
If you have been driving it then an oil leak anywhere under your car give you that. I had multiple leaks all happen at once and my car is still filthy. Power steering reservoir, front crank seal, valve cover gasket and the last was a slow transmission seep.
You're on the right track of cleaning everything. Then I would get the motor warmed up then let it idle for a good amount of time then shut it down and jack it back up. The fan will get the oil to move some but not as bad as driving it. Then just wait. you can leave a large piece of cardboard under there to see where it falls. if that doesnt give you a drip then warm it back up and shift it through the gears with your foot on the break if it's an auto. That should get the fluid moving but if that doesnt do it take it for a very short slow ride and park it over the cardboard.
Get some dye ($8 at Napa and a UV light - I bought a Craftsman at Lowes $9). You'll find it, along with every other place it's leaking, venting or breathing! Just be prepared! I was chasing down what I thought was the rear main but ended up being one of the galley plugs. All fixed now but OMG! The dye and UV light works great though - just shut the lights off and tun on the UV.
Get some dye ($8 at Napa and a UV light - I bought a Craftsman at Lowes $9). You'll find it, along with every other place it's leaking, venting or breathing! Just be prepared! I was chasing down what I thought was the rear main but ended up being one of the galley plugs. All fixed now but OMG! The dye and UV light works great though - just shut the lights off and tun on the UV. Attachment 48301023
You just add it to your oil? It doesn't hurt anything? What if you are burning some oil?
You just add it to your oil? It doesn't hurt anything? What if you are burning some oil?
Yep, just add it to the oil. You can actually see the oil without the die but it's not nearly as bright. It's like highlighter bright with the dye. I'm told that it will not hurt anything but I changed my oil once I got things fixed. I'm not sure about burning oil...this is for leak detection. I think what helped me also was that I bought a bigger UV light vs. some of the 'pen' lights that are out there.
02-27-2019, 03:41 PM
Very strange oil leak
I was chasing down what I thought was the rear main but ended up being one of the galley plugs. 
All fixed now but OMG! The dye and UV light works great though - just shut the lights off and tun on the UV. 
