Oil leak

[nativetexan]

Okay, so as I have let it run and drove it around the block a couple of times, I noticed that it has a few oil spots. I can see oil around the starter [dripping slow] and the flywheel cover plate. Where could this be coming from beside the obvious, rear main? Any ideas?

[Lt.Del]

remove flywheel dust cover.  take a rag and clean off all oil.   Let idle and see exactly where it comes from.  It could be oil pan gasket, but, if it is coming from flywheel/rear pan area, I bet it is the rear main. 

[nativetexan]

Dang it ! say it aint so!!! I'll check it.

[Irish_Alley]

Dang it ! say it aint so!!! I'll check it.

it aint so 

[bobcooter]

If the starter is getting wet, it could be the valve cover leaking at the rear near the fire wall where it's hard to see. I already had the same problem, changed out the rear seal and it still leaked. I recently put new valve cover gaskets on and no leak now.

[nativetexan]

If the starter is getting wet, it could be the valve cover leaking at the rear near the fire wall where it's hard to see. I already had the same problem, changed out the rear seal and it still leaked. I recently put new valve cover gaskets on and no leak now.

I think it is the covers, because I got under there and saw that it was puddling up near the base of the heads at the rear of the motor. But they are new covers with new gaskets... I think I might need to torque em down a bit more. Will post my results..

[Grim 82]

Also it wouldn't hurt to check the back of the intake and the oil pressure sending unit back there to see if they might be leaking.

[Irish_Alley]

If the starter is getting wet, it could be the valve cover leaking at the rear near the fire wall where it's hard to see. I already had the same problem, changed out the rear seal and it still leaked. I recently put new valve cover gaskets on and no leak now.

I think it is the covers, because I got under there and saw that it was puddling up near the base of the heads at the rear of the motor. But they are new covers with new gaskets... I think I might need to torque em down a bit more. Will post my results..

You can over tighten them

Also it wouldn't hurt to check the back of the intake and the oil pressure sending unit back there to see if they might be leaking.

I once changed my intake gaskets like 3 or 4 times couldn't fix a leak coming from the rear of my motor. Come to find out I pinched the plastic tube from the oil sending unit and put a small hole in it

[nativetexan]

okay, update! I took my truck in for the oil leak. Twice. First they told me that the pcv was clogged causing the engine to over pressurize and push the oil out. Didnt make sense to me, but, it wasnt leaking at the time so I drove off. Took the truck back to get the exhaust redone. Picked it up took it home. Oil leaking pretty bad. (once or twice per second.) A different guy told me that it seemed to be coming from the top rear where the oil sending unit is. He didnt think it was the rear of the intake because it doesnt leak everytime the engine is on. So he said the sunding unit was leaking and I needed to replace it. Didnt make sense but, I went and got a new one. Put it in and it didnt leak...yet. Drove it around the block and it started leaking!!! I have climbed up and down this truck. Below is a picture where I can see oil puddles but not the leak. any other ideas??? Im taking it back to the shop on saturday and am going to tell the guys not to call me until they know for sure it isnt leaking. I wonder; are therre any external screws or bolts that I may have left off the heads or the block that would cause oil to leak out??



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[Grim 82]

I can't find it at the moment but there is a thread on this site somewhere where a guy had a mystery oil leak in the back and he said it turned out to be a bellhousing bolt. I think he said he filled it with RTV and put a longer bolt in. Never heard of it before or after but it's worth looking at.

Found it: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=9169.15

[nativetexan]

But I thought the bell housing stays dry... Right 

What about the distributor? It is in the area I am seeing the oil. And, I used the original and never changed the o-ring that is on the shaft. Any input on that suspicion??

[Captkaos]

have you checked the oil fitting, rear intake seal, valve covers etc?

A clogged PCV will push oil out of bad seals if you don't have a vent.

[nativetexan]

oil fitting? What is that? Is there any screw holes back there by or on the head that I might not have plugged that could cause the problem. I took the distributor out and replaced the gasket. Still leaking. Should I pursue the bellhousing bolts? That makes no sense to me... But should I? Whatever it is it is happening on both sides. I see oil coming down both sides of the motor. I don't get it! This is a remanufactured motor!?  I am super frustrated right now... 

[screamin86]

I'm having similar issues! Once we get moved into our new house I'm going to pull the truck in the garage and start investigating why mines leaking. Mine is leaking in the same areas :/

[nativetexan]

I decided to check my intake bolt torque.. Book calls it at 30lbs. I found it to be 15-20lbs. I also actually found some oil on the back right corner of the intake. These two things are prompting me to redo the intake... What do you guys think? Step in the right direction?

Also, I am wondering if it is the PCV. It is a breather with a PCV nipple on it. Similar to this one

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G3408/

Is this okay? I only have the PCV breather on the right front hole and a regular breather on the left back hole (behind the oil fill)