Oil leak?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,465
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From: Dyer, IN
Because a gasket, seal, or component has failed......and the oil is either dripping(or blowing) onto the hot exhaust. I would degrease, put dye in the oil, and inspect with a black light after a few miles.
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Nov 24, 2024 at 06:11 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2019
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From: FL Keys
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Let’s just say, put the dye in as suggested, drive a few miles as suggested. Then using a black light, look around under there and wherever you spot the dye/leak at the highest point should be your culprit. Leaks rarely flow upward. Give it a try.
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Le Mans Master
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Then ill throw im in before he uses dry which will find it. Since its on its left side i say oil sending unit.
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Nov 24, 2024 at 06:21 AM. Reason: Edited - cleaning up the thread.
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Race Director
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I would shoot for the low hanging fruit. In this case, I agree with @helga203 . The C5 oil senders have a bad reputation. They have been known to read fine, but leak oil at the same time. I'd replace that first with an aftermarket unit. I bought one, not even their best unit, at O'Reilly at least 6 years/40,000 miles ago. It was the 12 month guaranteed unit, not the lifetime one. Still doing fine. It may not be the problem, but its relatively cheap and could be the problem. If not, you should have no sender problems for many years....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
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I would shoot for the low hanging fruit. In this case, I agree with @helga203 . The C5 oil senders have a bad reputation. They have been known to read fine, but leak oil at the same time. I'd replace that first with an aftermarket unit. I bought one, not even their best unit, at O'Reilly at least 6 years/40,000 miles ago. It was the 12 month guaranteed unit, not the lifetime one. Still doing fine. It may not be the problem, but its relatively cheap and could be the problem. If not, you should have no sender problems for many years....
Did you figure out how to rotate your engine?? I heard guys using the flywheel I now it sucks but can't think of any other option for you. There is another way but you need your wife to help so, if you guys are the bickering couple i don't think it will work. But ive done this way 100's of time. Have to get someone to keep tapping the ignition. Its not precise to be exactly on the bottom of the looe there is room where it stays flat. Just a thought
Race Director
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No, still looking for a surefire way.......I've been told by a knowledgeable Mod here that I can use a remote starter switch-SAFELY-To jump the TDR/starter relay in the passenger footwell. May be the best way.....
Le Mans Master
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Cruising
Joined: Aug 2023
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So after 2 months the part came in after I had to threaten them with lemon law. They replaced the valve cover and it looks like it is not leaking oil. They said they cleaned the engine. Problem is the whole car smells like burnt oil in the cockpit and when I put it in my garage the burnt oil smell filled the garage and seeped into the house. So not sure if they did not clean the engine properly or it will take time for it all to burn off. Not sure if it will all burn off. I cant drive a $150k car that smells like burnt oil. Not sure if it needs to be cleaned again or what. Think I will file lemon law claim as I cant own a car with this smell. Any thoughts? I am sure the oil got in all the nooks and crannies, or maybe it still has a leak.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
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From: In the woods
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150K? That is a hell of a C5 there. Did you check the oil pressure sensor? I can tell you from experience a leak that large will have residual oil every where and you will smell it for a long time.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Santa Maria Ca.
I have a similar oil leak on my 2000. It,s tough to figure out, first thought is a rear main seal leak but fixing that is a huge job. I opt to try the easier fixes first. As people have said, it could be an oil pressure sensor or cam position sensor located at the top rear of the engine block. To repair either of these requires removing the intake manifold. The oil sensor housing can leak and once you get the manifold out of the way you can inspect for an external leak. The cam sensor is next to the oil sensor, if the o-ring is leaking you cannot see the leak because it’s inside the bell housing. If you’ve gone this far, get a new cam sensor and install it, then see if your leak goes away.
it can also be a leak from the crank position sensor located on the passenger side behind the starter. There is also a oil level sensor that can be leaking on the drivers side of the block near the oil filter.
The final one is the rear main seal which requires removing the rear suspension, trans and rear sub frame of the car, similar to replacing a clutch. A huge job.
good luck.
it can also be a leak from the crank position sensor located on the passenger side behind the starter. There is also a oil level sensor that can be leaking on the drivers side of the block near the oil filter.
The final one is the rear main seal which requires removing the rear suspension, trans and rear sub frame of the car, similar to replacing a clutch. A huge job.
good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
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From: In the woods
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I used about half a case of brake clean. I had the intake off doing a valley cover and the car on Quick Jacks repairing a shift cable. I put some cardboard down and sprayed from the bottom and top. Mine had a leaky oil pressure sensor the PO (dad) ignored for awhile, the back of my engine was caked as well as my exhaust system at the cats. I got it pretty clean, that helped significantly with getting rid of the burnt oil smell.