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Small leak help

Old Oct 28, 2019 | 05:56 PM
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Default Small leak help

After a very short drive on Sunday on my 79 l82 4 speed I noticed today that I have a small leak. There was maybe a 1 1/2 to 2in diameter on my garage floor this afternoon I tried to take some pictures of where it's coming from I know they aren't the best pictures. Any suggestions? Thanks for your help!



Last edited by Davoforty; Oct 28, 2019 at 07:27 PM.
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Old Oct 28, 2019 | 06:39 PM
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Hard to tell but it appears to be the rear main seal leaking on the transmission. Has the car been sitting for a while? Maybe spray it off with some brake clean and drive it around again. If it comes back I would drop the driveshaft and examine the yoke going into the trans. If it has a worn spot where the seal touches it, it could just be a worn seal, or the yoke itself might be worn out. Neither is a big deal and I am sure there are lots of folks here that would love to help you out. Take it apart and show some pics. Good luck.
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Old Oct 28, 2019 | 08:33 PM
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That bluish-green droplets on the frame tells me its manual transmission lube. However, I don't believe its from the tail-shaft seal. The shaft, yoke, U-Joint and cap bolts are bone dry. I believe your drain / fill plug is on the passenger side. So is the wet stains on the crossmember.
Hard to say.

Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Oct 28, 2019 at 08:37 PM.
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Old Oct 28, 2019 | 11:00 PM
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well most of the ole C3s leak alittle oil ,I just put down a piece of cardboard and not worry about it!!
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Old Oct 29, 2019 | 09:04 AM
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Thank you for the suggestions. I am going to jack it up this weekend to hopefully get better pictures and a better idea. It's strange because I put a piece of cardboard under it yesterday and looked this morning and there were no new drops on the cardboard. Wonder if it is only after a drive it starts to leak. Has anyone ever used any leak seal stop fluid in the oil? Looking at rear main seal leak stop or oil seal type of liquid. I have read positive reviews on them. Thanks again appreciate your help!
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Old Oct 30, 2019 | 02:08 PM
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How 'bout start with checking puddle? ... is it motor oil or antifreeze or something else?
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Old Oct 30, 2019 | 03:53 PM
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you can do the seal without taking it out of the car its not that bad just get yourself a six pack and put some zep on the ol boom box and have at it
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Old Oct 30, 2019 | 05:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Davoforty
Thank you for the suggestions. I am going to jack it up this weekend to hopefully get better pictures and a better idea. It's strange because I put a piece of cardboard under it yesterday and looked this morning and there were no new drops on the cardboard. Wonder if it is only after a drive it starts to leak. Has anyone ever used any leak seal stop fluid in the oil? Looking at rear main seal leak stop or oil seal type of liquid. I have read positive reviews on them. Thanks again appreciate your help!
Rear Main Seal is at the end of the crank.
Stop Leak in any form you use is a temporary fix. If it can plug up a external leak, it can also plug up an important fluid passage way internally. Its a band-aide in a bottle.

Your picture shows a Tailshaft housing. Maybe it appears moist at the seal but beyond it is bone dry. So dry, that you better lube that U-Joint.
Your leak is elsewhere and is being blown back by road wind.
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Old Oct 30, 2019 | 05:28 PM
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It's rust proofing itself. Leave it alone....................
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Old Oct 30, 2019 | 05:45 PM
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I only wished that mine leaked like that...
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Old Oct 30, 2019 | 06:16 PM
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Great feedback, thank you! So on Monday I put a board with paper towels under it to see the color and smell of it but it hasn't had a drip since. Very strange. Also the leak in the garage was already dry and too tough to tell what the color/smell was. Which parts in what picture should I lube up? I thought everything looked dry and good besides that issue. I was also thinking it could be blow back from something else but there are no other leaks. Strange for sure!

Last edited by Davoforty; Oct 30, 2019 at 07:09 PM.
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Old Oct 30, 2019 | 07:00 PM
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Your photo of the U-Joint reveals a grease fitting. Do the back one too. And all the half-shafts grease fittings. 6 in all.

If they all look as rusted as the front one, spray 'em down with some WD40 to repel more rust.

Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Oct 30, 2019 at 07:00 PM.
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