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Oil Leak Issues?

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Old Feb 16, 2009 | 01:50 PM
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Default Oil Leak Issues?

Just a quick question.. I just picked up a 74 4 speed car and have noticed a few small drips on the grage floor that look like they are coming from different area's. Are there any "problem" area's on these cars that are known for leaking?

I haven't had a chance to crawl under and really take a look, but knowing in advance if something (pcv, valve covers, rear main, etc) was known for being a problem area would speed things up greatly.
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Old Feb 16, 2009 | 02:21 PM
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On most cars check the valve covers first and then the oil pan.
See if you can clean all areas real good with a steam cleaner to make it easier to see where the leak is coming from.
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Old Feb 16, 2009 | 02:44 PM
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Could be as simple as the pan plug (I think that 50% of cars leak from the drain plug a little to a lot) or a valve cover gasket or could also be a rear main seal or pan gasket and if minor leak, may not be worth fixing till you have to go there.
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Old Feb 16, 2009 | 02:47 PM
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Hopefully its just a valve cover. Doesnt seem to be bad enough yet to justify replacing the main seal.. Glad to know that its common to leak from the plug, that's the type info I was looking for.

Thanks guys.
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Old Feb 16, 2009 | 03:26 PM
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Vettes are like Harleys. If they ain't leaking, they must be out of oil !!
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Old Feb 16, 2009 | 06:01 PM
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Likely areas:
Valve covers (check at rear of each cover too); rear main seal; oil pan; front main seal; timing chain cover; oil pressure gauge line and/or fitting in manifold; oil filter seal. That's about it, I think....
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Old Feb 16, 2009 | 06:32 PM
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If you find front or rear main seal leak, I can recommend that you try a product made by ATP called AT205. Its a oil additive that I have seen work well a lot of times. Some times it slows it, some times it stops it all together. Worth a try to keep your garage floor clean. Work in trans and P/S also, seals only, not gaskets
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Old Feb 16, 2009 | 10:26 PM
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Originally Posted by 71coupe454
If you find front or rear main seal leak, I can recommend that you try a product made by ATP called AT205. Its a oil additive that I have seen work well a lot of times. Some times it slows it, some times it stops it all together. Worth a try to keep your garage floor clean. Work in trans and P/S also, seals only, not gaskets
Any chance of it working on the driveshaft seal on the tranny? Thats next on my list to replace.. lol.
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Old Feb 17, 2009 | 12:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Kevins77
Any chance of it working on the driveshaft seal on the tranny? Thats next on my list to replace.. lol.
According to their website, it should work...

AT-205 RE-SEAL™ is a special plasticizer which softens and expands hydraulic seals to stop leaks. AT-205 can be used for power steering, transmission, engine, differential and any hydraulic system (except brakes) - including jacks, lifts, plows, industrial equipment leaks. In addition, AT-205 will restore sunroof seals, wiper blades and any rubber-based items.

AT-205 contains no petroleum distillates and will not cause seals to become gummy and eventually break down. AT-205 RE-SEAL™ will replace over one dozen different single purpose leak products.
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Old Feb 17, 2009 | 01:05 AM
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When I pickup my 72, it was sitting for over 8 years.

It was leaking oil from everywhere, the oil pan, front main seal, timing cover(2 piece), valve cover gaskets, oil pressure guage, and rear main seal.

The engine was a rebuilt 383 with less than a 1000 miles. So, long story short, drive and enjoy our corvette's...Don't let them sit!!
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Old Feb 17, 2009 | 01:53 PM
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Thanks everyone.

I picked up a couple bottles of the AT-205 on lunch today. I was told they were changing the bottle to an aerosol can sometime in the near future instead of the pour in type.. Not sure why.
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