Oil Everwhere !!!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
Oil Everwhere !!!!!
Just pulled in the garage and shut the car off from a 1/2 hour ride home from work. Smelled like plastic burning so I opened the hood. Found smoke and oil all over the back driver side of the engine and driver side cat. Looks like it is coming from the top driver side. Started the engine let it idle for 5 seconds and then revved it once and shut down. Found a puddle of oil about 10 inches around right under the oil filter. Checked the oil level and its down a quart.
I have no detailed pictures of the engine in my Chiltons or Haynes. Is the oil sending unit there ? How do you get back there to tell what's what? Its an 86 with cast iron heads.
Need Help.
I have no detailed pictures of the engine in my Chiltons or Haynes. Is the oil sending unit there ? How do you get back there to tell what's what? Its an 86 with cast iron heads.
Need Help.
Last edited by Kens86; Nov 30, 2004 at 10:54 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
The oil pressure sensor and oil pressure switch are on a stalk in the rear of the engine block to the left of the dist. You can reach back there to feel for oil or use a small mirror and trouble light to look for it.
There is an oil temp sensor in the engine block just above the oil filter that can also leak.
Also run your hand along the right side valve cover and along the rear of the intake base to check for leaks.
There is an oil temp sensor in the engine block just above the oil filter that can also leak.
Also run your hand along the right side valve cover and along the rear of the intake base to check for leaks.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
A sensor that has pressurized oil flowing through it can spill quite a bit of oil. And don't foreget that 10" of oil is only a 10th inch thick or less so a copla tablespoons of oil can cover a large area on the garage floor.
I think you need to get under the car, wipe it down with brake cleaner, start the engine and watch where the oil flow is comming from.
I would NOT drive the car anywhere with the current leakage rate.
I think you need to get under the car, wipe it down with brake cleaner, start the engine and watch where the oil flow is comming from.
I would NOT drive the car anywhere with the current leakage rate.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,991
Likes: 2
From: Hanger 18 Taxachusetts
I went to look at an 85 when I was searching for my car. The second trip to see it I found the bottom covered in oil. The guy wasn't going to mention it until I saw this. He said his oil pressure sensor cracked and blew oil all over the back of the engine. He showed me the broken part. Didn't look broken but you could blow thru it an see the leak. Didn't take much when you figure it's under 40+ pounds of pressure. I think it is on the top back part of the engine.
Needless to say I didn't buy that one !
Needless to say I didn't buy that one !
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Go with the easy one first.....
First check for an oil filter that vibrated loose. If thats not it, you will have to check everything with the engine running if you plan to do the fix yourself. If not, take it to your vette mechanic (not the dealer).
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
The oil filter is tight. Looks like it is blowing down off the top/back/driver side of the engine. Can't see back there without starting to remove stuff.
Has anyone out there replaced the sensor and presure switch before.
I'm thinking if I have to go back there will it be more accessible if I remove the valve covers and ingition wires. It's been 9 years (garage queen) since I've done them. Could use new gaskets and wires. The valve covers need to be freshened up with new paint.
Has anyone out there replaced the sensor and presure switch before.
I'm thinking if I have to go back there will it be more accessible if I remove the valve covers and ingition wires. It's been 9 years (garage queen) since I've done them. Could use new gaskets and wires. The valve covers need to be freshened up with new paint.
Last edited by Kens86; Dec 1, 2004 at 09:45 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by SilverBeast
Could be a valve cover gasket has gone, too. I've always thought that Corvette means "oil leak" in Italian. 
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,531
Likes: 1
From: Conroe TEXAS!
Cruise-In X Veteran
Originally Posted by Kens86
The oil filter is tight. Looks like it is blowing down off the top/back/driver side of the engine. Can't see back there without starting to remove stuff.
Has anyone out there replaced the sensor and presure switch before.
I'm thinking if I have to go back there will it be more accessible if I remove the valve covers and ingition wires. It's been 9 years (garage queen) since I've done them. Could use new gaskets and wires. The valve covers need to be freshened up with new paint.
Has anyone out there replaced the sensor and presure switch before.
I'm thinking if I have to go back there will it be more accessible if I remove the valve covers and ingition wires. It's been 9 years (garage queen) since I've done them. Could use new gaskets and wires. The valve covers need to be freshened up with new paint.
Last edited by Firevette; Dec 1, 2004 at 04:44 PM. Reason: horrible spelling!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 4
From: Heidelberg PA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Just went through similar leak. Purchased dye from a mechanic friend, cleaned up bottum & back of engine with brake cleaner - put in dye, idled car for 15 minutes and followed oil back to sensor above filter. Its amazing how the oil worked it's way to the tranny then to a puddle on floor and without the dye, I would never have found it.
Purchased new sensor that is all metal, no plastic like the original.
Clean up your engine & put dye in it to find the leak.
Purchased new sensor that is all metal, no plastic like the original.
Clean up your engine & put dye in it to find the leak.
The dye works great
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
I have checked the oil filter and the fvalve cover gaskets and they look fine. Does anybody have picture of the backside of the engine so I could get an idea of where the oil sensor and switch are located?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 589
Likes: 1
From: Tucker GA
[QUOTE=corvette-pilot] He said his oil pressure sensor cracked and blew oil all over the back of the engine. He showed me the broken part. Didn't look broken but you could blow thru it an see the leak. Didn't take much when you figure it's under 40+ pounds of pressure. I think it is on the top back part of the engine.
Yes, I had this happen on another small block Chevy I had. The top of the pressure switch is plastic and it cracked just a little. Blew out a quart of oil in about a mile.
That is the first place I would check. Part is cheap (relatively) and relatively easy to get to.
Bob
Yes, I had this happen on another small block Chevy I had. The top of the pressure switch is plastic and it cracked just a little. Blew out a quart of oil in about a mile.
That is the first place I would check. Part is cheap (relatively) and relatively easy to get to.
Bob