Oil Spots
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 180
Likes: 64
From: Humboldt, Saskatchewan
Oil Spots
Just got home with my first Vette a couple of nights ago, a 1980 4 speed. My elation has been tempered by a little bit of concern regarding oil. I stopped to check oil levels before leaving on a 500 mile trip home. The dipstick read low so I added quart and a half. Added a further quart and a half before I got home to get oil up to almost full. I have checked it several times since and it is holding steady but I haven't driven it either. There is some spotting up near driver front tire and some towards back center of engine bay.
What might be causing the leaks?
How long does it take for the oil to settle into the pan?
Of course, the guy from whom I bought the car said he has had no leaks. I asked him if it used any oil and he said no. He drove the car on a 900 mile trip recently.
The exhaust was not excessively smokey or blue on start up.
What might be causing the leaks?
How long does it take for the oil to settle into the pan?
Of course, the guy from whom I bought the car said he has had no leaks. I asked him if it used any oil and he said no. He drove the car on a 900 mile trip recently.
The exhaust was not excessively smokey or blue on start up.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
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From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
However, I would keep an eye on it. That seems like a lot of oil to add over a short period of time. Valve covers leaking at that rate will make a terrible mess on the engine and under the car. Perhaps it is using more oil than the previous owner suspected or disclosed.
Last edited by CaseyJones; Oct 29, 2013 at 10:18 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 180
Likes: 64
From: Humboldt, Saskatchewan
I was just wondering if an older car might take longer for the oil to settle.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 180
Likes: 64
From: Humboldt, Saskatchewan
However, I would keep an eye on it. That seems like a lot of oil to add over a short period of time. Valve covers leaking at that rate will make a terrible mess on the engine and under the car. Perhaps it is using more oil than the previous owner suspected or disclosed.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Kenosha Wi
My 80 use's a bit also,it sat the last several years and seems to be dry as well, no leaks but I'm sure it's blow by, I'm currently working on a set of 441 heads to throw on it with the new headers and dual exaust
My guess is with that few miles it hasn't been driven enough to keep it in prime shape.
My guess is with that few miles it hasn't been driven enough to keep it in prime shape.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
Of course it didn't leak any oil- Sounds like there was no oil in it to leak! 
Seriously, if the thing was 1 1/2 quarts down when you picked it up, I'm guessing you didn't check the oil before you bought it-
Another 1 1/2 quarts for a 500 mile trip sounds like a significant oil leak (or usage).
If it was leaking that badly, you'd have a BIG mess on the driveway/garage floor and on the underside of the car. If the valve covers were leaking that badly, you would have smelled that oil burning all the way home.
You may want to have the engine steam cleaned top and bottom, change the oil and filter and watch what happens. A 30+ YO car with only 12K miles most likely has gasket leakage as well as some internal leakage (valve, intake seals etc).
Seriously, if the thing was 1 1/2 quarts down when you picked it up, I'm guessing you didn't check the oil before you bought it-
Another 1 1/2 quarts for a 500 mile trip sounds like a significant oil leak (or usage).
If it was leaking that badly, you'd have a BIG mess on the driveway/garage floor and on the underside of the car. If the valve covers were leaking that badly, you would have smelled that oil burning all the way home.
You may want to have the engine steam cleaned top and bottom, change the oil and filter and watch what happens. A 30+ YO car with only 12K miles most likely has gasket leakage as well as some internal leakage (valve, intake seals etc).
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
Of course it didn't leak any oil- Sounds like there was no oil in it to leak!
Seriously, if the thing was 1 1/2 quarts down when you picked it up, I'm guessing you didn't check the oil before you bought it-
Another 1 1/2 quarts for a 500 mile trip sounds like a significant oil leak (or usage).
If it was leaking that badly, you'd have a BIG mess on the driveway/garage floor and on the underside of the car. If the valve covers were leaking that badly, you would have smelled that oil burning all the way home.
You may want to have the engine steam cleaned top and bottom, change the oil and filter and watch what happens. A 30+ YO car with only 12K miles most likely has gasket leakage as well as some internal leakage (valve, intake seals etc).
Seriously, if the thing was 1 1/2 quarts down when you picked it up, I'm guessing you didn't check the oil before you bought it-
Another 1 1/2 quarts for a 500 mile trip sounds like a significant oil leak (or usage).
If it was leaking that badly, you'd have a BIG mess on the driveway/garage floor and on the underside of the car. If the valve covers were leaking that badly, you would have smelled that oil burning all the way home.
You may want to have the engine steam cleaned top and bottom, change the oil and filter and watch what happens. A 30+ YO car with only 12K miles most likely has gasket leakage as well as some internal leakage (valve, intake seals etc).
It doesn't take much oil leakage to make pretty big spots on the floor. The seals, gaskets and valve guide seals can dry out from age and little usage. The engine and tranny in my 64 SS has less than 10,000 miles on them, but they were both built about 18 years ago. They both leave their mark where you park it now. The fluids don't need to be topped off that often, but the spots looks like it leaks a lot.
The amount of oil you are going through would make huge messes if it were all leaks!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 180
Likes: 64
From: Humboldt, Saskatchewan
Read the owner's manual but there is no mention of the oil filter location. They are such low cars it is hard to see underneath. I thought maybe there was a leak there. The only time I saw oil underneath the car on the way home was when we stopped for lunch (about 30 mikes).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
Oil filter is on the driver's side rear of the engine block pointing straight down. You can barely see it if you look over the fender where the brake master cylinder sits down towards the ground near the exhaust pipe.
You might be best served by going to or finding a good friend/mechanic who can show you a few things about your car. You need to know certain things to be able to keep it in shape.
Go to your local chain auto parts store and get the Haynes manual for your car. They are not good references for many repairs but they have a lot of pictures and diagrams that would be helpful.
Good luck! The good folks here are always ready to help!
You might be best served by going to or finding a good friend/mechanic who can show you a few things about your car. You need to know certain things to be able to keep it in shape.
Go to your local chain auto parts store and get the Haynes manual for your car. They are not good references for many repairs but they have a lot of pictures and diagrams that would be helpful.
Good luck! The good folks here are always ready to help!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
Id jack the car up and look under it. More than likely the rear main seal and valve covers have leaks. The valve covers will be evident with oil on the exhaust manifolds. The next thing would be to pull the plugs and look for carbon build up from oil ingestion into the combustion process, Don't know how many miles are on the vette, but 1.5 quarts in 500 miles seems like a lot and if you were burning it, Id figure it would be obvious with the James bond smoke screen that was being left. As others had said the oil filter is on the drivers side rear of the block. Good luck and congratulations on the purchase of your new mistress.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 180
Likes: 64
From: Humboldt, Saskatchewan
Id jack the car up and look under it. More than likely the rear main seal and valve covers have leaks. The valve covers will be evident with oil on the exhaust manifolds. The next thing would be to pull the plugs and look for carbon build up from oil ingestion into the combustion process, Don't know how many miles are on the vette, but 1.5 quarts in 500 miles seems like a lot and if you were burning it, Id figure it would be obvious with the James bond smoke screen that was being left. As others had said the oil filter is on the drivers side rear of the block. Good luck and congratulations on the purchase of your new mistress.
I live in a cold climate so the car is going into storage today (sob). I will check the radiator and bottom hose for leaks before saying goodbye to her and check for leakage periodically over the winter. Any other thoughts anyone?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
If you are storing the car and live in a cold climate (unheated storage), check the antifreeze to make sure it can withstand your coldest temps without freezing. Unless you know when the coolant was last replaced, you have no idea if you're gonna have other issues in the Spring (IE cracked block etc).
Even if you have a mild leak, make sure the coolant is good!
Even if you have a mild leak, make sure the coolant is good!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 62
From: Kona Hawaii
Oil filter location:[IMG]
[/IMG]
Possible oil leak locations: valve covers,intake manifold rear & front,timing cover,fuel pump,rear main seal,oil pan gasket,head gasket,I have replaced all of these and have no oil leaks....Used to have major leaks before replacing..
[/IMG]Possible oil leak locations: valve covers,intake manifold rear & front,timing cover,fuel pump,rear main seal,oil pan gasket,head gasket,I have replaced all of these and have no oil leaks....Used to have major leaks before replacing..
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,579
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Like the members suggested....buy a repair manual for your car.
Clean the engine top and bottom at a local spray-it-yourself car wash...then drive the car about 10 minutes to dry off the water from washing the engine.
Learn how to change the valve cover gaskets and change them first.., You won't have to jack up/crawl under anything..It will be a good learning exercise and possibly will solve some of the problems with oil leaks.
Clean the engine top and bottom at a local spray-it-yourself car wash...then drive the car about 10 minutes to dry off the water from washing the engine.
Learn how to change the valve cover gaskets and change them first.., You won't have to jack up/crawl under anything..It will be a good learning exercise and possibly will solve some of the problems with oil leaks.