{just kiddin', yellow72....}
Chrome oil pan leak
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
even if you get it to seal it will look like **** very quickly.
I changed to an Aluminum Pan, atleast you can polish back to shiney anytime.
good luck..69VETT
I changed to an Aluminum Pan, atleast you can polish back to shiney anytime.
good luck..69VETT
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,078
Likes: 283
From: Dyersburg TN
over tight and sealer
I don't think I over did it. The Fel-Pro gasket I used had little sleeves in the gasket.
I did note the instructions with the gasket said sealer only at the 4 corners. Why would they not want you to seal the whole thing?
I did note the instructions with the gasket said sealer only at the 4 corners. Why would they not want you to seal the whole thing?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,078
Likes: 283
From: Dyersburg TN
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
I agree with the others. The chrome surface is too smooth. I had this issue with a chrome timing chain cover. The front seal at the oil pan by the cover was leaking. I also replaced the two piece oil pan gasket with the fel pro one piece gasket I switched to another cover (non chrome) and no more leaks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 10
From: cincinnati ohio
St. Jude Donor '09
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,777
Likes: 105
Yes, everything on my engine and under carriage is chrome! I used the one piece on my chrome pan (Original Vette Pan that I had chromed) and no leaks! I used a bead of rtv on both side of the entire gasket and let it cure for a few days before I started it - It is dry as a bone...no leaks! I never sanded any chrome parts on my car for sealing. And yes chrome is a challenge to seal, especially on my 3x2 carbs!! (See July 2009 Corvette Enthusiast Magazine - Page 74-77) 
Last edited by babbah; Aug 30, 2009 at 12:31 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 4
From: Va
The oil detection kit is an additive you pour in, run the engine and look for traces with a UV light and some color goggles. (Beer Goggles will NOT work, BTW) The light makes the additive glow and you can see exactly where the leak is coming from.
Back to the original question- chrome is so slick that most gaskets won't "bite" and will seep. Take some 180 grit sandpaper and rough up the rails on the pan- go lengthwise, don't go across. I've seen this happen on trans pans too.
Back to the original question- chrome is so slick that most gaskets won't "bite" and will seep. Take some 180 grit sandpaper and rough up the rails on the pan- go lengthwise, don't go across. I've seen this happen on trans pans too.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,078
Likes: 283
From: Dyersburg TN
CSI style UV dye
only thought it fixed. I watched it run for 15 min and no leak. But when I went out next day, oil on the floor on both ends of the pan. I bought a UV dye from Autozone with the UV light and glasses. It is supposed to glow so I can see where it comes out. The plan is to set all four wheels on ramps so I can move freely underneath the car.
stupid oil leaks
stupid oil leaks
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,078
Likes: 283
From: Dyersburg TN
UV Dye
the leak came out the back of the valve cover, down the back of engine, over the starter, onto the transmission oil lines and towards the front of the engine where it dripped. They dye is awesome plus the yellow glasses look really cool
