Oil Leaks..Don't You Just Love Them!!
Discussion
At the end of last season, started to notice a little oil appearing from the right side of the engine. At that time, close to 6000 miles on the engine.
Suspected the plate that covers the fuel pump cavity when you don't use the mechanical fuel pump. Tightened up everything that could be tightened. Leak is getting worse. Am quite sure it's not the front seal, as inside of drive pulley is dry.
Just replaced the fuel pump area plate with a new gasket and lots of Permatex #3, went for a 5 mile drive, and oil is appearing at the bottom of the plate.
Had the car on the lift with the engine running for 1/2 hour at idle, and no oil appears, so it appears it's at higher rpm's.
Found the fuel pump cover plate was a little warped, straightened it out, but that was not the problem, as it's still leaking.
Checked the bolt at the front of the engine that locks the fuel pump pin when installing, and it's not leaking.
No oil appears to be dripping down from the rocker covers.
All the oil is on the right side, engine and suspension. Very little on the left.
I know this topic was brought up last year by someone else. Wonder if anyone has any further ideas about this particular problem.
It sure is making a mess of the car. Appears to be about a quart every 450 miles
All suggestions welcome.
Jack
Suspected the plate that covers the fuel pump cavity when you don't use the mechanical fuel pump. Tightened up everything that could be tightened. Leak is getting worse. Am quite sure it's not the front seal, as inside of drive pulley is dry.
Just replaced the fuel pump area plate with a new gasket and lots of Permatex #3, went for a 5 mile drive, and oil is appearing at the bottom of the plate.
Had the car on the lift with the engine running for 1/2 hour at idle, and no oil appears, so it appears it's at higher rpm's.
Found the fuel pump cover plate was a little warped, straightened it out, but that was not the problem, as it's still leaking.
Checked the bolt at the front of the engine that locks the fuel pump pin when installing, and it's not leaking.
No oil appears to be dripping down from the rocker covers.
All the oil is on the right side, engine and suspension. Very little on the left.
I know this topic was brought up last year by someone else. Wonder if anyone has any further ideas about this particular problem.
It sure is making a mess of the car. Appears to be about a quart every 450 miles
All suggestions welcome.
Jack
Jack:
Next time you have the plate off, look at the trueness of the gasket surface (engine side), then look at the threads that are in the block. I have had many "refreshed" blocks that have had damaged threads.
If everythings ok, then get a sheet of thin neoprene gasket material and make a gasket. Don't use any silly-cone on it. Torque the bolts to 15-20 lbs with locktite.
Good luck
Joe
Next time you have the plate off, look at the trueness of the gasket surface (engine side), then look at the threads that are in the block. I have had many "refreshed" blocks that have had damaged threads.
If everythings ok, then get a sheet of thin neoprene gasket material and make a gasket. Don't use any silly-cone on it. Torque the bolts to 15-20 lbs with locktite.
Good luck
Joe
gtrclive said:Good to meet you at Calais Clive. I was quite alarmed by my oil consumption on my trip to Le Mans - the factory reckoned it was pretty normal. What is it about Chevys then?
Not so much oil leaks, more of a total loss fresh oil replacement system. Helps keep the oil Clean, but that's Chevys for you, as you say don't you just love'em...
I had a similar problem. It took a long time to find. It was the front oil seal to the pulley. Problem is oil runs down flywheel and is then thown over right side of engine.
Suggent you clean area thoroughly and then tape kitchen-roll or similar to chassis cross members. Run engine for short periods and see where evidence of oil is. Use a small inspection mirror to check behind flywheel to see if there is a small trail of oil. I had to do this many times before I found it.
Good luck
Brian
Suggent you clean area thoroughly and then tape kitchen-roll or similar to chassis cross members. Run engine for short periods and see where evidence of oil is. Use a small inspection mirror to check behind flywheel to see if there is a small trail of oil. I had to do this many times before I found it.
Good luck
Brian
Crazy of Cookham said:
I had a similar problem. It took a long time to find. It was the front oil seal to the pulley. Problem is oil runs down flywheel and is then thown over right side of engine.
Good luck
Brian
Brian
Thanks for the suggestions. When you say "flywheel", do you really mean vibration damper?
Jack
jschwartz said:
Jack,
don't a couple of those fuel pump tapped holes go through the block, therefore requiring some thread sealer on em?
Jeff
So I've been told, so I did put sealer on them the first time I remounted the plate. Did not re-fresh the sealer the second time I straightened the plate out, changed the gasket, and put fresh sealer on both sides of the gasket. Still have to make sure that the block surface is OK.
As I stated earlier, the engine did not leak the first months (well not as bad).
The next step I think is to powerwash the frame and engine, and tape paper towel all over and see if I can trace it. There still seems to always be oil on the block at the bottom of that fuel pump flange.
Aren't you glad you have a modern engine?
Jack
k wright said:
Good luck with the tracking exercise. Hope that your next post will report the end of the leak. I have oil leaking out of the threads for my right side cylinder head bolts!
ken
Ken
Thank goodness that I'm going on a 4 week vacation Tuesday morning, because this problem is driving me up a wall.
I wouldn't be surprised if that's where my leak is.
Have installed new valve cover gaskets, and redone the fuel pump cover. That's where the oil seems to wind up.
Where exactly is the oil appearing around the head bolts. There should not be any oil under pressure around these bolts. Obviously, the only bolts you can see are the lower ones.
Jack
The oil appears to come from underneath the washers. I have retorqued the head bolts with no change in the rate of oil loss. I have never had a small block chevy that leaked oil from this position. I'll have to go out and look again but if memory serves these bolts (studs) go through the head (solid at this point) and the deck through to the water jacket.
I'm still trying to finish the car so haven't really thought much about this yet. Likely start by calling A.S. again.
I'm still trying to finish the car so haven't really thought much about this yet. Likely start by calling A.S. again.
Ken
Most of the studs go into the water jacket, so they have to be sealed.
Can't understand why you'd be getting oil through there.
I thought I saw oil seeping out between the block and the head at the front. Will investigate this further.
Problem is, the oil will not leak at idle, only on the road at driving speed. At our last meet, one of the cars with a SB Chevvy was leaking bad, but only on the track, and when he put the brakes on. Driver behind noticed the smoke of the oil hitting the headers.
Am leaving for Watkins Glen in the morning with the Cobra, and will inquire from the Chevy Gurus there. My leak does not appear to be coming from the studs, but I'll definately will check that out when I return in about 4 weeks from our trip to Alaska.
Jack
Most of the studs go into the water jacket, so they have to be sealed.
Can't understand why you'd be getting oil through there.
I thought I saw oil seeping out between the block and the head at the front. Will investigate this further.
Problem is, the oil will not leak at idle, only on the road at driving speed. At our last meet, one of the cars with a SB Chevvy was leaking bad, but only on the track, and when he put the brakes on. Driver behind noticed the smoke of the oil hitting the headers.
Am leaving for Watkins Glen in the morning with the Cobra, and will inquire from the Chevy Gurus there. My leak does not appear to be coming from the studs, but I'll definately will check that out when I return in about 4 weeks from our trip to Alaska.
Jack
USCANAM said:Jack,
All suggestions welcome.
Jack
I have not used this, but perhaps it would help. If I ever have a vexating oil leak...
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/rodi/fluorleakdet1.html
This is a leak detection fluroescent dye (added to oil) and the company is based in NY, perhaps not too far from you...
Regards,
-- Scott
Reno, NV
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