86 oil issues..
05-12-2009, 11:19 AM
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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?
05-12-2009, 11:50 AM
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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...............
05-12-2009, 12:20 PM
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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; 05-12-2009 at 12:22 PM.
05-12-2009, 12:48 PM
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I thought that too...but the oil is black...wouldnt a head gasket be milky oil? Also Ive been fooling with the valve covers...any tips on getting those things off??
05-20-2009, 07:41 PM
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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?
05-20-2009, 08:24 PM
#8
Drifting
Check your oil filter gasket. The rear main seal is not under
pressure. They leak, sure, but they don't usually blow out
and drain the crankcase. benny
pressure. They leak, sure, but they don't usually blow out
and drain the crankcase. benny
05-20-2009, 08:45 PM
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Really?? They can go bad? I thought the gasket on the oil filter itself sealed it. The filter is brand new.
Last edited by mattsoltesz; 05-20-2009 at 08:51 PM.
05-20-2009, 09:13 PM
#11
Drifting
If the filter wasn't tight enough, the gasket can blow out.
It will make a huge mess. benny
It will make a huge mess. benny
05-20-2009, 09:17 PM
#12
valve covers and oil cooler
my car is super clean and low mileage but my valve covers leaked like a sieve when i got it.
i also had an oil leak on top of the oil cooler just above the oil filter.
i also had an oil leak on top of the oil cooler just above the oil filter.
05-20-2009, 09:24 PM
#13
Le Mans Master
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
05-20-2009, 10:25 PM
#16
Le Mans Master
If the oil is above the filter on the cast iron block...it is one of the sensors. If the rear main was blown, you would have oil in the flywheel or converter area dripping from the cover.
05-20-2009, 10:39 PM
#17
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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.
05-20-2009, 11:43 PM
#18
Le Mans Master
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.
05-21-2009, 07:43 AM
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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!!
05-21-2009, 07:47 AM
#20
Le Mans Master
...WW
