C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

1985 - most common oil leaks?

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Old Jun 23, 2022 | 02:28 PM
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Default 1985 - most common oil leaks?

I recently purchased an 85 with 30,000 miles on it. It has been dripping a bit of oil. When I got under it on Tuesday, it was dripping pretty significantly from the clutch dust cover, and oil had covered the bottom of the trans. It looks like my oil leak has increased as I have put more miles on it. I did replace both of the oil sending units by the distributor, as they were leaking.

It is really hard to see the area by the rear china wall on the intake, so I am not sure if it is leaking there. Which area is most likely my issue, so I can concentrate my efforts there first - rear main, or intake? I should also note that there has been a small amount of coolant on the front of the intake by the water passage. I replaced the thermostat and gasket and that did not cure the leak. Checked the front two intake bolts near there and was able to snug them up a bit.

Right now, I’m thinking I may need to pull the intake and reseal it. Is it possible to determine if the rear main is leaking without dropping the trans?
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Old Jun 23, 2022 | 03:03 PM
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The valve cover gaskets are prone to leak on the early L98 engines.
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Old Jun 23, 2022 | 03:20 PM
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Originally Posted by DALE53
The valve cover gaskets are prone to leak on the early L98 engines.
i forgot to mention that I replaced those already.
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Old Jun 23, 2022 | 04:16 PM
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2 piece rear main seal, valve covers, sometimes the back of the intake manifold. Usually its the first two.
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Old Jun 23, 2022 | 04:20 PM
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I was really hoping that it would’t be the rear main with only 30,000 miles, but I have found that the age of the car has caused many failures that I did not expect.
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Old Jun 23, 2022 | 06:12 PM
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Since you say you have the pool of coolant cut through the chase pull the intake and reseal it and, with it out of the way if the China wall was leaking you will have a good view. You may get a 2 for 1 repair out of it
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Old Jun 23, 2022 | 07:12 PM
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Originally Posted by s carter
Since you say you have the pool of coolant cut through the chase pull the intake and reseal it and, with it out of the way if the China wall was leaking you will have a good view. You may get a 2 for 1 repair out of it
Good point! I just ordered an intake gasket set.
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Old Jun 24, 2022 | 08:19 AM
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Originally Posted by 85 Z51
Good point! I just ordered an intake gasket set.
Mine was leaking from rear of intake manifold ..not too bad but enough to be annoying.
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Old Jun 24, 2022 | 02:33 PM
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Default Oil Leak

Check the oil sending unit near the distributor.
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Old Jun 27, 2022 | 09:24 AM
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Originally Posted by scott85vette
Check the oil sending unit near the distributor.
Covered in OP
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