86 oil issues..
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Pemberton NJ
86 oil issues..
I inherited a 1986 with only 21,000 miles on it. It had been sitting for quite a while...about 8-10 years. It runs now...all the rodent housed have been evacuated. interior is good...no just an oil issue. Its not pouring out but more than just a drip. The heads just under the valve covers are wet but I cant see any oil dripping. It seems to collect on the oil pan. From what I hear from reading many threads I need to check the rear main seal. Good start? Long story short I probably should pull the whole motor out. Is it true that the best way is to raise the body off the motor/trans?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 213
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From: Tulsa Oklahoma Area
I am not a Vette tech BUT i most certainly think it would be much easier to pull the engine for a rear main seal. I can't possibly see that people are lifting off the bodies (alot more work) just to change a rear main seal. I am sure someone will correct me if i am wrong...............
Pro
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 515
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From: Nashua NH
You don't need to pull the motor...just get the car high enough on some jack stands and pull the tranny and flywheel/flexplate...one piece rear main right in front of you! But before you go through all that work you need to verify where the leak is from!! Try to get the engine as clean as possible, then run it and check for source of leaks...could be that the head gaskets are your culprit!!
Last edited by Mark85Vett; May 12, 2009 at 12:22 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Pemberton NJ
OMG....so I replaced the valve gaskets cleaned the engine all up and started her up.....heard a pop and looked under car................a puddle as wide as the car of oil pouring out. AHHHHHH!!! After many bad words I can laugh about it now. I am guessing its the rear main seal that blew....sound right?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
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From: Dublin CA
Wait....
Before you start to pull things apart and assume it is the rear main.....
check the back of the block....is the oil pouring down the block and over the oil filter? IF the oil is coming from above it sure is not the rear main seal. And a 'POP" sound probably would not be the rear main. If it is coming from above and the rear, it's one of the oil sending units beneath the distributor. Here is a picture of the two units screwed into the fitting that goes into the block.
.
The unit with the two electrical plugs is the oil to fuel pump switch and the unit with the single plug is the oil pressure unit. Since you darn near have to pull the distributor to get to these, I would replace both, especially since they are 23 years old.
John
check the back of the block....is the oil pouring down the block and over the oil filter? IF the oil is coming from above it sure is not the rear main seal. And a 'POP" sound probably would not be the rear main. If it is coming from above and the rear, it's one of the oil sending units beneath the distributor. Here is a picture of the two units screwed into the fitting that goes into the block..The unit with the two electrical plugs is the oil to fuel pump switch and the unit with the single plug is the oil pressure unit. Since you darn near have to pull the distributor to get to these, I would replace both, especially since they are 23 years old.
John
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Database Error Indiana
The sensor/switch in the previous pic. will pump oil out big time. It starts under the distributor and runs down the wiring harness to the oil filter area. Very misleading when you are looking for the source. Very easy to fix.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
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From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
anything that goes "pop is easy to fix if you weren't going 90 miles an hour. 
I bet the old oil filter gasket got stuck to the block, and you installed a new oil filter with a fresh seal right on top of the old one.
I bet the old oil filter gasket got stuck to the block, and you installed a new oil filter with a fresh seal right on top of the old one.
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From: Pemberton NJ
Yes...you were right...silly me....the old gasket was still stuck on....I did install the new one right on top of it...that should be good for a morning laugh to everyone....including myself!!
Le Mans Master
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From: WV
...WW
