Another "snake oil" question, or maybe not??
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Another "snake oil" question, or maybe not??
An oil leak problem was just diagnosed at the GM dealer as a rear main seal.
The parts guy, who also drag races locally, recommended "Enginseal" to possibly restore elasticity to the seal and at least diminish the leak (flat rate was over $500 to change that $20 seal).
Anyway the product is now in the oil and I was wondering if anyone had success with such a product?
The parts guy, who also drag races locally, recommended "Enginseal" to possibly restore elasticity to the seal and at least diminish the leak (flat rate was over $500 to change that $20 seal).
Anyway the product is now in the oil and I was wondering if anyone had success with such a product?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,011
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From: Jupiter Florida
Re: Another "snake oil" question, or maybe not?? (65Z01)
STP oil stop-leak (probably similar) claims to rejuvenate old seals/gaskets/etc. I've used it fairly successfully in resurrecting Wankels that are prone to leak coolant into the combustion chamber through aging rubber o-rings. What it really seems to do is swell the seals, I took one car in to have the oil changed and they couldn't get the filter off because the gasket had swelled so much. I've heard it will turn certain types of gasket to mush, still not sure if I'd try it in the Corvette. Nothing leaks that I can't get at yet. :)
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Another "snake oil" question, or maybe not?? (65Z01)
You may get some more life out of your seal, but the proper thing to do is to replace it because now you won't dare get out of walking distance from your house. The seal can be replaced without removing the engine and if you don't want to do it, I would shop around for a better price.
P.S. the seal doesn't cost $20 either.
[Modified by jfb, 7:02 PM 4/5/2002]
P.S. the seal doesn't cost $20 either.
[Modified by jfb, 7:02 PM 4/5/2002]
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
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Re: Another "snake oil" question, or maybe not?? (jfb)
The problem (=time & $$) isn't engine removal but tranny (and so exhaust system) removal as I don't have facilities to work under the car. There is a GM tool to install a new rear seal without removing the rear cap but the labor charge will still be up there.
Plus after looking at the oil undernieth today I'm not sure at least some wasn't from the oil pan seal. Since oil pan gasket replacement doesn't require as much "surgery" I'm thinking about having it replaced and see how much oil shows up thereafter.
And if it is the rear seal I have to be concerned about the rear main condition.
So, if it realy is the rear seal, things can potentially get pretty expensive and some other issues need to be addressed.
Plus after looking at the oil undernieth today I'm not sure at least some wasn't from the oil pan seal. Since oil pan gasket replacement doesn't require as much "surgery" I'm thinking about having it replaced and see how much oil shows up thereafter.
And if it is the rear seal I have to be concerned about the rear main condition.
So, if it realy is the rear seal, things can potentially get pretty expensive and some other issues need to be addressed.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Another "snake oil" question, or maybe not?? (65Z01)
Your rear main bearing should be ok unless oil loss is so high you run out of oil and it doesn't sound like that. Our cars don't care a lick about time or money or our personal situations, when a part goes bad, you have to fix it or leave it sit.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Another "snake oil" question, or maybe not?? (jfb)
It doesn't take any oil between 3mo/3kmile changes.
I understand what you're saying and am planning out a "best" course of corrective action.
Thanks for feedback.
I understand what you're saying and am planning out a "best" course of corrective action.
Thanks for feedback.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Another "snake oil" question, or maybe not?? (Vic'89)
At this point I'm not convinced. Someone suggested have it cleaned thoroughly and a dye added to isolate the source for sure.
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 265
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From: Levelland, TX USA
Re: Another "snake oil" question, or maybe not?? (65Z01)
Yes, definately spend some time tracking down the leak. Chevy V8s are notorious for leaking oil at the back of the intake manifold. Clean it and get a little mirror to hold between firewall and engine-maybe you will get lucky
The old Chevys had a two piece rear seal and could be changed just by pulling the pan. Not sure if anyone makes a two piece split seal that you could put in without pulling tranny. Maybe someone else knows that one. Good Luck.
By the way, i tried one of the oil-stop-leak products a few years ago and it worked beautifully. It cured the leak and i had no ill side effects. I can't remember the brand, i know it was expensive, but it saved me a bundle.
[Modified by Darrell G, 9:51 AM 4/6/2002]
The old Chevys had a two piece rear seal and could be changed just by pulling the pan. Not sure if anyone makes a two piece split seal that you could put in without pulling tranny. Maybe someone else knows that one. Good Luck.
By the way, i tried one of the oil-stop-leak products a few years ago and it worked beautifully. It cured the leak and i had no ill side effects. I can't remember the brand, i know it was expensive, but it saved me a bundle.
[Modified by Darrell G, 9:51 AM 4/6/2002]
Team Owner
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From: Phila., PA burbs
Re: Another "snake oil" question, or maybe not?? (Darrell G)
My car had a slight leak and judging from the location of the drips of oil on the floor I was convinced it was the rear main seal. On the advice of my mechanic I cleaned the area up as best as possible, he then installed some dye and low and behold it was the rear of the intake manifold and not the rear main seal. Definitly something to check into.
