DroptopMan

:mad I just did the Water Pump, Opti Spark and all three seals including the Front Main. Took it out for the customary test drive and the crossmember is wet with oil. So I cleaned it up with brake cleaner, ran the engine long enough to see oil coming down the timing cover under the opti. :mad :mad :mad .
I can see the shaft of the water pump from the passenger side, its not leaking. I can see the front main from the passenger side... its not leaking. I used all the General's seals, and went back after work and double checked the numbers. Everything matches the book. The only thing I can say is that when inserting the old opti shaft for a reference point to install the new opti, the seal did not look like the outer lip was really sealed on the shaft. :confused:

I could sure use some help and advise before I tear it all down again. Anyone had this problem before?

DroptopMan

Help! Help! Help! Anyone have experience with this problem?

DieL

man i wish someone knew. Did you upgrade to a vented unit? What exactly is different?

Tom Piper

I know you said the water pump drive seal isn't leaking, but the most common problem when replacing seals is for that seal lip to get flipped over when installing the front cover.
Kent Moore actually makes a cone shaped plastic "seal protector" for the water pump drive seal installation. The idea is, when slipping the seal over the water pump drive shaft, the cone shaped protector prevents the seal lip from flipping forward. After the cover is on, you pull the protector off from the front.

Tom Piper

Strick

Hey droptop,

I feel your pain :cry I just finished doing exactly what you did, but I thought I'd get away without replacing the crank snout, opti and water drive shaft seals. They felt soft and they didn't leak before the big swap out. Big Mistake It leaked from the water pump drive seal. I found it by using dye and a UV light kit. SO, I'm in the process of removing the timing cover and replacing all the seals and gaskets including the oil pan's. BUT, this time I'm upgrading to an electric water pump (Meziere) and eliminating that source of oil leak possiblity. I shudda done this the first time :banghead:

What was said earlier about the seal installer from Kent-Moore is right on. That lip is a gotcha.

YLO Z06

I have this same leak, too :mad . I replaced all the front cover seals and the oil pan seal a few weeks ago, only to find a big drip of oil on the floor after I was done. So I redid the oil pan gasket and the water pump drive, being cafeful to make sure the lip did not get distorted this time around. The result is no change in the leak, so I am going to use the UV light test to isolate the leak -- I have no idea where it is coming from :cry . I feel your pain :banghead: ...

Tom Piper

One thing to keep in mind.
When I first bought my '92, I thought I had a bad front seal leak. It turned out to be the infamous LT1 intake manifold leak. It was running down the front of the block onto the front crossmember. It was fixed under warranty.

Tom Piper

onedef92

Make sure it's not your PS pump or pump seal. Mine's leaking like a big dog in that same location but with PS fluid, not oil.

Strick

With this oil leak problem, why didn't they just dip the entire engine in RTV?

ittlfly

:banghead: :lolg: :lolg: :lolg:

FELNGR8

I had the problem after my cam install. My leak was less rapid but a leak just the same. There is a rubber seal around the hole in the timing chain cover where the drive shaft for the opti comes through. Tony of Tony's Corvettes, who fixed it for me, says that this gasket(seal) is not even stocked by Chevy dealers. It is not part of a normal gasket set. My leak was just a weep really, and with a light and mirror I coould not see the source. Tony's mechanic had to tear it down to the opti before they could see the source of the leak. I have a picture at home but would have to scan it in to show you.

Just know that this is an unusual source of an oil leak, but if that's it you will not be able to see it until you have torn the thing back down again. Maybe a parts guy at Napa could show you a drawing. I don't know where Tony sourced the part. Apparently it dowsn't need replacement in a tear down job, but it can get bunged up.

There is no way you will eyeball this leak until you have torn it back down to the opti again.

It only cost me $500 at Tony's and I am happy with the result.

93Blackrose

Just so you know, you can throw new seal after new seal at the front of that timing cover, BUT if those shaft surfaces are worn or grooved no seal will fix the problem, it will always leak. When I did my Hot Cam install I replaced the water pump shaft and the opti drive shaft (92'-93'). even though the car only had 20K miles the surfaces were grooved and the car was leaking oil. Also, the Kent Moore tool is a must have when puting the water pump shaft seal on. :yesnod:

vvv90

I just did this too, god I hope I don't have this problem too!

:lurk:

HiRiser

I replaced all the seals on the front of my LT1 and the new crank seal leaked. Genuine GM seal leaked, replaced with a Napa seal and it is fine.

Strick

While we are at it, Lets talk about the crank snout. I've heard guys talk about a sleeve if there is a grove. How does this work?

onedef92

Guys please pray for me, because mine's in the shop right now with this exact, same issue. I thought I had a leaking PS pump, but it's a rather large leak coming from the front, possibly the timing cover, cam and crank seals.

The labor and parts quote I got was $380.00 plus 15% off for AAA membership, so it's not in the "crunch zone" yet :cry

vvv90

Yes, I will pray for the both of us.

Our Father who art in 67 split window, hallowed be thy throttle, they opti's gone, thy will be done, on strip as it is on street. Give us this day cuz-our opti's dead, and forgive GM's trespasses as we forgive GM as they trespass against us, and lead us not to Ford, AaaaaaahMeeeeeen! :blueangel:

NOTE: if you're not Catholic, you won't get it. Forgive me, I've had 10 Beers already. :crazy:

Strick

I can tell, your typing is slurred.

onedef92

I'm a lifelong Baptist and I got it! Thanks! :blueangel: :lol:

Tom Piper

http://www.vsm.skf.com/usa/Heavyduty...eves/main.html

Tom Piper