So, after finally getting my brakes to work like new (converted to O-rings instead of lip-style rings), I was able to take her out for a good 20 mile spin. First real trip in probably a year.

Upon returning, I noticed a curved trail of oil about eight feet long in one of the bends of my driveway. Then, I looked under the car and saw a puddle about six inches diameter. Note that there was not a puddle after starting the car and letting it run in the garage while working on the brakes a week prior.

Because of the fact that the line of oil in the drive was only around a curve (for the most part), I'm assuming this came out of the hole in the bottom of the torque converter/starter shield which would most likely mean either a bad rear seal on the oil pan or a bad rear main seal. There are no noticeable leaks around the valve covers.

I have already order the one-piece felpro oil pan gasket and the two-piece felpro rear main crank seal just in case.

Tonight, I put her on stands, removed the shield (which did have some oil residue on the inside), and ran for about 10 minutes and did not get any leak whatsoever - just a little seepage at the rear of the oil pan gasket, but no drops (verified there was plenty of oil in the engine first). After this test, I'd like to believe that the rear main is okay, but the oil pan seal needs to be replaced. I probably didn't get a huge leak because the oil was not sloshing around.

Can anyone confirm my assumptions based on my symptons? Any other thoughts?

Thanks!

 

Power steering leaking?? started at the curve right?
Check it first before dropping pan

 

That dont sound right.If the pan is going to leak-its gong to leak shouldnt have nothing to do with turning.Sart her up again and turn right to left.The sloshing should nto have anything to do with a leak that bad.If you still cant find it i wouldnt remove pan and rear main-id put some dye in the oil and drive it for a couple of miles,then blacklight it.It will stick out like a sore thumb-no mistakes or guessing.Im sure any shop would blacklight it for free for you.

 

I started her up this morning and verified that the power steering is not leaking. After starting, I turned the wheel both ways to the max for a few seconds and repeated about ten times. I looked underneath and there were no power steering fluid leaks whatsoever and no signs of sterring fluid leaking around any of the fittings, hoses, etc.

I believe that the oil was gathering in the flywheel shield, and when I went around the curve, the oil made its way to the hole in the shield and leaked out. The hole is in the center of the sheild, so one would think it would leak out when the car was going straight, but since the curve is right after an incline in the drive, the oil could have been at the rear of the shield and finally sloshed back to the front just in time for me to make the curve on the flat part of the drive.

The way I figure it, it can't hurt to switch to at least switch to a one-piece oil pan gasket. And, since its supposed to be relatively easy to remove the pan, and the parts are on the way, its worth a try.

 

a valve cover gasket may be leaking after sitting so long