Engine oil leak.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Leander Texas
Engine oil leak.
I Took the Corvette out on an errand this Sunday since it needed some exercise (20 miles round trip).
I did all the usual pre-trip inspections; Oil, coolant, tire pressure, visual inspection under the car etc.
I was about 1/2 the way back on the return leg when I started to notice a slight smell of oil burning. I pulled over fire extinguisher in hand, and popped the hood. No Fire, but there was a small amount of oil splattered low around the front crossmember, but nothing was visibly leaking anywhere.
I was only 5 miles from home so I wiped off the oil with a rag and proceed back to the house.
Once I was home I popped the hood and the oil had returned
, but no visible leaks from above (time for the ramps).
Once I had it elevated I slid underneath, and found the short upper bolt was missing out of the front of the block in the fuel pump mounting area.
It was a Simple fix, (new bolt & thread sealer) but it sure made a mess under the car.
I'm just puzzled
as to why it wouldn't leak at idle. I think it is possible that the crankcase pressure wasn't high enough to blow oil out the hole.
Dr. Jay the relieved.
I did all the usual pre-trip inspections; Oil, coolant, tire pressure, visual inspection under the car etc.
I was about 1/2 the way back on the return leg when I started to notice a slight smell of oil burning. I pulled over fire extinguisher in hand, and popped the hood. No Fire, but there was a small amount of oil splattered low around the front crossmember, but nothing was visibly leaking anywhere.
I was only 5 miles from home so I wiped off the oil with a rag and proceed back to the house.
Once I was home I popped the hood and the oil had returned
, but no visible leaks from above (time for the ramps).Once I had it elevated I slid underneath, and found the short upper bolt was missing out of the front of the block in the fuel pump mounting area.
It was a Simple fix, (new bolt & thread sealer) but it sure made a mess under the car.
I'm just puzzled
as to why it wouldn't leak at idle. I think it is possible that the crankcase pressure wasn't high enough to blow oil out the hole.Dr. Jay the relieved.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Sounds like a messy trip.
The reason is as you mentioned, with pressure, and less 'slosh' at idle. Oil is splashed all around during operation, and the pressure was venting through that hole.
Oil doesn't really sit in that part of the block at idle as it drains back down into the pan.
The reason is as you mentioned, with pressure, and less 'slosh' at idle. Oil is splashed all around during operation, and the pressure was venting through that hole.
Oil doesn't really sit in that part of the block at idle as it drains back down into the pan.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Leander Texas
It was messy, but 3 cans of brake clean, and a box of shop towls, got the most of it. I'll have to get under it again with the pressure washer the next free weekend I have.
I'm still puzzled as to how the bolt just fell out. I didn't even notice it was lose when I removed the fuel pump when I installed the TPI.
Oh, well. It keeps me entertained.
I'm still puzzled as to how the bolt just fell out. I didn't even notice it was lose when I removed the fuel pump when I installed the TPI.
Oh, well. It keeps me entertained.
