Undetermined fluid leak...any ideas/
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '10
Undetermined fluid leak...any ideas/
Recently purchased a stock 91...had new hoses, valve gaskets, new tranny, O2 sensor, belts, etc....all the typical things for a neglected 10 year old beat up car....Now it seems to be leaking dime sized blackish fluid on the left side of the car, near the back of the engine, (near the windshield)....Some of you might remember that since I had black and red carpeting in my garage, I couldn't tell it was leaking tranny fluid, therefore had to replace the transmission when I killed it....since ripped up the carpet and put down wax paper where the car sits....Now noticed this latest leak...Had the car out for about 15 minutes on the road tonight, turned it off to talk to the neighbor for 20 minutes, then re-started it and let it run for 15 minutes...the power steering dip stick was reading ok if it was cold... and the oil dipstick looked like it was reading overflow....it was about 4 inches above where it should be, but it also looks like oil is coming out of the dipstick... is all this normal????Please help!!! :confused:
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: Undetermined fluid leak...any ideas/ (ladyinblack)
If your engine is as overfull as you indicate, don't drive it until you drain down the oil. Your description seems to indicate an oil leak, but I would first correct the oil level. Clean any oil you can find and then continue to drive the car and monitor it for leaks.
If your car was that overfull, who did the work? If you don't have someone to help you, I would call whoever did the work and make them come to the house and drain down the oil. I just can't stand poor workmanship.
If your car was that overfull, who did the work? If you don't have someone to help you, I would call whoever did the work and make them come to the house and drain down the oil. I just can't stand poor workmanship.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 0
From: Waukesha Wisc.
Re: Undetermined fluid leak...any ideas/ (vettenuts)
If your engine is as overfull as you indicate, don't drive it until you drain down the oil.
change oil and refill to "proper level".......then check for leaks......
also DO NOT "Overfill" trannny fluid........ :nono: :nono:
[Modified by GUMPA, 8:13 PM 10/9/2001]
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '10
Re: Undetermined fluid leak...any ideas/ (vettenuts)
The person I had change my oil is one of my Master Mechanics where I work at. I would normally trust him with my life, but who is to say when someone makes a mistake... He was a Cadillac mechanic in his past, before he started working with our other cars....Is it normal for a Corvette's dipstick to read higher than normal after a nice run, then turned off for 15 minutes, then allowed to idle for 10-15 minutes? I swear, it actually looks like there is oil coming out of the dipstick orifice. :eek:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Re: Undetermined fluid leak...any ideas/ (ladyinblack)
I'd get the oil and filter changed again and have whoever does it makes sure that oil can get in and out of the filter. Someone else might want to chime in here, but I believe there is a pressure relief or bypass valve on the filter housing so that if the filter is plugged, oil wil bypass the filter. You should make sure it's working, otherwise the quart for the filter is in the crankcase giving the impression that it's been overfilled and giving you the foaming out of the dipstick tube.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 959
Likes: 1
From: Lemoore CA
Re: Undetermined fluid leak...any ideas/ (SunCr)
I imagine someone screwed up on the oil change also.... Seems as though that leak is coming from the oil filter also seems that there would be too much oil in the motor... either way dont risk it... Can you change the oil yourself? Its obviouslly invaluable to know how... And as easy as changing the light buld in a lamp.... You might not even have to get the car in the air... depending on the car and pan although you will to change the oil filter...
Paul
BTW 5 Quarts of 5W-30 with a filter change should do the trick perfectly
Paul
BTW 5 Quarts of 5W-30 with a filter change should do the trick perfectly
Pro
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
From: Cowpens SC
Re: Undetermined fluid leak...any ideas/ (ladyinblack)
This may be a stupid question, but did you let the car sit (not running) for at least 10 min befor you checked the oil. When it runs oil splashes up on the dipstick.
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