Oil leak trackdown
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
Oil leak trackdown
Not super familar with LT1 yet. New car to me. Didnt notice leak in garage at all after I parked it from a 2 hr drive home.. but then I took it out for a short buzz around the hood and 3 weeks later I see a nice big oil slick on my epoxy floor.. I see a drop on both the oil pan and the bellhousing (automatic)...
So what I did is dabbed both leaks off with cloth and then started the car and let it run for about 5 minutes.
I do also see some oil which looks like its leaking from the drivers valve cover onto the rear part of the head and exhaust manifold.. I do not see anything in back of the intake manifold.
So.. if I see a drop on the oil pan or bellhousing form does it mean anything?
Just trying to see what I can do to reduce this.. if its the rear seal that will need to drip drip drip until I can afford to have that done.. thanks
Its hard to see in this photo but there is a drop on both the bellhousing and the oil pan right below the drain plug.
So what I did is dabbed both leaks off with cloth and then started the car and let it run for about 5 minutes.
I do also see some oil which looks like its leaking from the drivers valve cover onto the rear part of the head and exhaust manifold.. I do not see anything in back of the intake manifold.
So.. if I see a drop on the oil pan or bellhousing form does it mean anything?
Just trying to see what I can do to reduce this.. if its the rear seal that will need to drip drip drip until I can afford to have that done.. thanks
Its hard to see in this photo but there is a drop on both the bellhousing and the oil pan right below the drain plug.
Last edited by barchetta1; Feb 7, 2018 at 09:21 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 101
From: Decatur, Alabama
Just a best guess but its common for the real seal, intake gasket AND the transmission gasket/seal to leak. I would save money and have the trans and oil pan/rear seal done at the same time by a place that will warranty the work (its about 50/50 they will fix it the first time - not worth doing it on your own unless you have done it before and have a lift) you can then fix the intake when time money allows. In the mean time, steam clean or brake clean the old oil and add some tracer dye to your oil and drive it. Then use a UV light to see where it is leaking the most.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 259
Likes: 38
From: Volcano CA
I've been fighting leaks on my '96, as well and I'm with you. With 128k on it, the rear main's only getting done if I rebuild it.
In the last four months, we've changed the intake set, valve covers, both oil senders behind the intake (just because they were accessible), all three seals on the timing cover and the crank sensor o-ring. Next is the oil pan gasket and oil filter adapter.
I'm starting to think "LT" stands for "Leaks Terribly". I don't care if it marks its spot. It's old. I just wish I could cure the one that's hitting the passenger side cat. It's embarrassing when I stop somewhere and it stinks.
Keep us other oil leak guys posted on what you find.
In the last four months, we've changed the intake set, valve covers, both oil senders behind the intake (just because they were accessible), all three seals on the timing cover and the crank sensor o-ring. Next is the oil pan gasket and oil filter adapter.
I'm starting to think "LT" stands for "Leaks Terribly". I don't care if it marks its spot. It's old. I just wish I could cure the one that's hitting the passenger side cat. It's embarrassing when I stop somewhere and it stinks.
Keep us other oil leak guys posted on what you find.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
Just a best guess but its common for the real seal, intake gasket AND the transmission gasket/seal to leak. I would save money and have the trans and oil pan/rear seal done at the same time by a place that will warranty the work (its about 50/50 they will fix it the first time - not worth doing it on your own unless you have done it before and have a lift) you can then fix the intake when time money allows. In the mean time, steam clean or brake clean the old oil and add some tracer dye to your oil and drive it. Then use a UV light to see where it is leaking the most.
Damn this is good advice.. especially about taking it to a shop that will warranty it! Will cost more but worth it! This isnt sarcasm..
Last edited by barchetta1; Feb 8, 2018 at 07:11 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
I've been fighting leaks on my '96, as well and I'm with you. With 128k on it, the rear main's only getting done if I rebuild it.
In the last four months, we've changed the intake set, valve covers, both oil senders behind the intake (just because they were accessible), all three seals on the timing cover and the crank sensor o-ring. Next is the oil pan gasket and oil filter adapter.
I'm starting to think "LT" stands for "Leaks Terribly". I don't care if it marks its spot. It's old. I just wish I could cure the one that's hitting the passenger side cat. It's embarrassing when I stop somewhere and it stinks.
Keep us other oil leak guys posted on what you find.
In the last four months, we've changed the intake set, valve covers, both oil senders behind the intake (just because they were accessible), all three seals on the timing cover and the crank sensor o-ring. Next is the oil pan gasket and oil filter adapter.
I'm starting to think "LT" stands for "Leaks Terribly". I don't care if it marks its spot. It's old. I just wish I could cure the one that's hitting the passenger side cat. It's embarrassing when I stop somewhere and it stinks.
Keep us other oil leak guys posted on what you find.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
So it seems the drip came back after clearing the oil from trans cover and oil tank cover. However, its dripping off the oil filter..
any ideas except the obvious? I have not tried to tighten yet but somehow I doubt its coming from the oil filter seal.. those are pretty rock solid in general..
see photo..
any ideas except the obvious? I have not tried to tighten yet but somehow I doubt its coming from the oil filter seal.. those are pretty rock solid in general..
see photo..
Racer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 259
Likes: 38
From: Volcano CA
So it seems the drip came back after clearing the oil from trans cover and oil tank cover. However, its dripping off the oil filter..
any ideas except the obvious? I have not tried to tighten yet but somehow I doubt its coming from the oil filter seal.. those are pretty rock solid in general..
see photo..
any ideas except the obvious? I have not tried to tighten yet but somehow I doubt its coming from the oil filter seal.. those are pretty rock solid in general..
see photo..
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