Rear main seal???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: East Windsor CT
Rear main seal???
I recently got my vette on the road, I've driven prolly 80-90 miles since Saturday. My question is, it has never leaked oil before (in the short short time I've had it) but after driving it to work yesterday I noticed there is oil on the ground and actually some in the cabin. It is behind center consol and by the left hand front of the passengers seat. I was thinking that oil may be from a leaking oil pressure gauge and wasnt to worried about. But once I saw the drips of oil under the car, I began to worrry. I went under the car (car wasnt jacked up so I couldnt get that far under) but the oil is dripping from the bell housing which makes me think it may be the rear main seal. If I check the oil on the dipstick its a nice looking honey color but oil that is dripping is super dark. Before I got the car, it had been in a garage not driven for 3 years and I dont know how much before that which made me think that the seal dried up from lack of use. What do you guys think? Any other possible areas that it would be leaking from? Thanks for the help.
Don
Don
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
What year? I'm assuming you have a mechanical oil pressure gauge. Oil in the car indicates the gauge is leaking behind the cluster. It won't get better, so pull the cluster and make your repairs.
Not convinced you have a main seal problem. Have you checked the oil pressure gauge connection on the block? If these leak, oil could easily run down the bellhousing where you've seen it.
Not convinced you have a main seal problem. Have you checked the oil pressure gauge connection on the block? If these leak, oil could easily run down the bellhousing where you've seen it.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: East Windsor CT
I have a 69 with a 427/390. Im not convinced that I have a rear seal problem either (really hoping its not). Since the car is new to me and bubba owned it before me. Ive been trying to think the worst and end up pleasantly surprised when its something simple. I havent checked the oil pressure fitting on the motor. I figured it was leaking in the car because the line on the gauge was lose. I'll have to pull the consol and see whats wrong. And yes it is a mechancial oil pressure gauge.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Get after the oil leak at the gauge pretty quickly if possible. The more you drive it, the messier it is going to be inside the car. Mine was driven with a leaking oil pressure gauge before I got it and it ruined the stock radio, carpet and carpet padding. You can pick up a repair kit at Autozone for a mechanical oil pressure gauge. It should come with a length of hose and some compression fittings to make it oil tight. 
