Oill leak - starter area
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 471
Likes: 3
Oill leak - starter area
Hi everybody,
I'm trying to fix an oil leak that has been there from where I bought the car (2 years ago...). Now that I have fixed many other problems, it's time to stop putting cardboards under the car!
The leak is quite big so it should be no problem to identify it (I hope).
These are some picture of the leak area.
I'm trying to fix an oil leak that has been there from where I bought the car (2 years ago...). Now that I have fixed many other problems, it's time to stop putting cardboards under the car!
The leak is quite big so it should be no problem to identify it (I hope).
These are some picture of the leak area.
Last edited by Iron_dog; Jun 7, 2013 at 03:38 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
The best way to find a leak is to clean all traces of the oil from the leak area and then let the engine run. You can usually find it pretty quick, and as you say, with your size leak, it should be easy to pin point. Have you checked the valve cover? Once you've cleaned the area and let the engine run a little, run your finger around the rear base of the valve cover to see if it's leaking there. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 471
Likes: 3
The best way to find a leak is to clean all traces of the oil from the leak area and then let the engine run. You can usually find it pretty quick, and as you say, with your size leak, it should be easy to pin point. Have you checked the valve cover? Once you've cleaned the area and let the engine run a little, run your finger around the rear base of the valve cover to see if it's leaking there. Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Keep mind that when you drive the car, the wind will blow the oil toward the rear. That is why I said just let the engine run after clean up. Seeing oil dripping off the exhaust pipe, that's quite a leak and should be pretty easy to see where its coming from after clean up.
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 571
Likes: 5
From: usa
I was thinking VC, but it was pretty clean above the starter, then I thought fuel pump too , wind blowing the oil back.
could you hold your CLUTCH fan, and have someone start and stop the engine so the fan doesn't blow the oil around.
there is also a dye you can put in your oil then use a black light to find the leak.
could you hold your CLUTCH fan, and have someone start and stop the engine so the fan doesn't blow the oil around.
there is also a dye you can put in your oil then use a black light to find the leak.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 261
Likes: 3
From: Clawson Michigan
I have a 1980 with that is leaking in the same place. Mine leaks only at high rpm. This weekend I'm pulling the starter to get a better look. Mine looks like it could be the dipstick tube that is leaking
The oil drips right on the exhaust pipe .
The oil drips right on the exhaust pipe .
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 571
Likes: 5
From: usa
is your level high, or do you have something like blow by pressuring the block?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 471
Likes: 3
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 261
Likes: 3
From: Clawson Michigan
My starter and dipstick are on pass side and I only notice the oil leaking after running thru the gears shifting at 4500 rpm. During normal driving I never see oil on my garage or smell it from hitting the exhaust head pipe. I will be looking in to it this weekend while I am installing sidepipes
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Oil will flow to the lowest part on the motor. Invest $30 in a leak detection kit at NAPA, I have had one for years and they work great, it will usually surprise you at where the leak is coming from 
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Good point. To check this, wipe the rear of the intake gasket area clean and run the engine. After a few minutes, wipe a finger along the gasket line and see what u got.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake Virginia
the hole your pointing to is a mount location for a wire loom, it doesn't go all the way through the block unless someone has put too long of a screw in it, even if it did, I'm pretty sure it would be water and not oil.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 471
Likes: 3