Oil leak...

[fly89gta]

I have this damn oil leak I can't track down, thought maybe it was the pressure sender since it was a little loose, nope not it

Seems the oil is running down the xmember from somewhere and dripping down, I have a bad feeling that this leak might be a rear main seal, it leaks while I'm driving, then leaks for a few minutes after turning the car off, any ideas? I know its hard to pinpoint a leak without looking at the car but I know its not the vavle covers or anything like that...so are my rear main seal assumtions probably right?

 

[Swt_86]

Rear main leak will normally drip out of the dust cover pan on the trans. Don't ask me how I know. If the leak is forward of that "oil is running down the xmember " then I doubt it is a rear seal.

 

[fly89gta]

Originally posted by Swt_86
Rear main leak will normally drip out of the dust cover pan on the trans. Don't ask me how I know. If the leak is forward of that "oil is running down the xmember " then I doubt it is a rear seal.

hmmm, ok, cool that's good news, I wonder what it is though

 

[turbo buicks]

it could be a front main leak. arent the front main and X-member close together? also could be oil filter, oil cooler lines, turbo oil drain tube, etc.

 

[donZ]

did you check your valve cover gaskets ?

 

[fly89gta]

Originally posted by donZ
did you check your valve cover gaskets ?

yes

hmmm front seal, i assume thats easier to change than the rear right?

 

[turbo buicks]

i had a friend do my front main and he had to take off the front timing cover. i hear its a big job to do that and it takes a while. i would say while you are in there replace the timing chain/gears and cam button and tensioner if it needs it. tensioner not needed for a double roller timing chain. here this is a good write up on timing chain replacement. i think the front main just slips in the bottom of timing cover. http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/engine/timingchain.html

 

[fly89gta]

hmmm, if all that needs to be replaced what else would needed to be done to replace the cam aside from removing the intake?

 

[turbo buicks]

w/the front cover and manifold off you would just need the new cam and lifters. in fact, me and a friend of mine w/a TTA are doing this exact thing to his car b/c his cyl. 3 exhaust lobe doesnt lift up as high as the other exhaust lifters so he thinks that lobe is starting to wipe so he is replacing it while he is in there. he told me that is the most common lobe to wipe due to inadequate oiling.

 

[fly89gta]

hmm, i'll have to look into that

i don't know for sure what the leak is...all i know is that i'm VERY VERY VERY frustrated, one little thing after another, I want to give up but I know I can't