Oil leaking somewhere?
06-22-2009, 11:42 PM
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Oil leaking somewhere? My oil is down about two notches on the dipstick. The power steering hose is covered in what I think is engine oil, so the water pump might be the culprit. Would it make sense that I don't find any oil drops on the driveway though? I haven't noticed any smoke while the car is running, so I don't think it's being burned. Any help is appreciated.
06-22-2009, 11:44 PM
#2
My oil is down about two notches on the dipstick. The power steering hose is covered in what I think is engine oil, so the water pump might be the culprit. Would it make sense that I don't find any oil drops on the driveway though? I haven't noticed any smoke while the car is running, so I don't think it's being burned. Any help is appreciated.
ive never had any problems with oil leaking from the waterpump... but theirs always something
06-23-2009, 12:45 AM
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If your WATER pump is leaking OIL than you have bigger problems than having to top it off every couple weeks. Maybe you are talking about timing cover??
06-23-2009, 06:23 PM
#6
Glad someone else caught the water pump. Thatd be a coolant leak. 
The timing cover I would have to say is unlikely unless you lost that amount of oil over a long period of time. Usually a timing cover will leave an easily noticable spot on the ground.
Id take your car to the wash with some engine degreaser, give your engine a good cleaning all around while being careful of the electronics of course. The just drive around for a week, jack up the car and start searching for any signs of your leak.
The timing cover I would have to say is unlikely unless you lost that amount of oil over a long period of time. Usually a timing cover will leave an easily noticable spot on the ground.
Id take your car to the wash with some engine degreaser, give your engine a good cleaning all around while being careful of the electronics of course. The just drive around for a week, jack up the car and start searching for any signs of your leak.
06-23-2009, 06:30 PM
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Could be your front main... I had a rear main leak and didn't realize it till it was too late... Pull your starter and shine a flashlight in your bell housing.
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06-27-2009, 10:22 PM
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So today I was in a drive-thru idling for 15-20 minutes (stupid d-bag in front of me took forever). After I drove off, I noticed a good amount of burnt oil in the air... which makes me think oil is collecting somewhere, and then burning on my exhaust or something when I drive off. Does this help narrow anything down?
06-28-2009, 12:14 AM
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So today I was in a drive-thru idling for 15-20 minutes (stupid d-bag in front of me took forever). After I drove off, I noticed a good amount of burnt oil in the air... which makes me think oil is collecting somewhere, and then burning on my exhaust or something when I drive off. Does this help narrow anything down?
06-28-2009, 12:29 AM
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The water pump would not be leaking oil...Timing cover was a bad one for me, then the rear main, then the back of the intake manifold...all of the above are a MF to fix...if it pools like that maybe its in your bellhousing? or on the K-member? but if it leaks THAT much I dont see why it wouldnt leave at least a few drops.
Take it to a shop and ask for the dye. They have an additive they put in your oil and drive it around for a few min. Does NO damage to the engine, but they shine a blacklight under the car and any fresh oil that has that additive in it will glow flourescent...will help locate that leak...
Take it to a shop and ask for the dye. They have an additive they put in your oil and drive it around for a few min. Does NO damage to the engine, but they shine a blacklight under the car and any fresh oil that has that additive in it will glow flourescent...will help locate that leak...
07-01-2009, 06:51 PM
#14
yeah there is a seal in the timing chain cover for the opti.
your cover will look like the one on the left. the seal is the middle hole. You can pick up a timing chain gasket/seal set from autozone for like $10. it includes all 3 seals, 2 waterpump gaskets, and the cover gasket. or if you want to stay GM. the opti seal itself is GM#12552428
your cover will look like the one on the left. the seal is the middle hole. You can pick up a timing chain gasket/seal set from autozone for like $10. it includes all 3 seals, 2 waterpump gaskets, and the cover gasket. or if you want to stay GM. the opti seal itself is GM#12552428
07-02-2009, 11:43 AM
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your leak is the seal behind the camshaft retaining plate i guarntee you you have to take the timing gears off and it would be a good idea to go ahead and either upgrade your optispark to an msd or buy a new stock one because mine was soaked with oil when i fixed the seal your problem sounds and looks just like mine if you have any questions send me a message
07-02-2009, 02:01 PM
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your leak is the seal behind the camshaft retaining plate i guarntee you you have to take the timing gears off and it would be a good idea to go ahead and either upgrade your optispark to an msd or buy a new stock one because mine was soaked with oil when i fixed the seal your problem sounds and looks just like mine if you have any questions send me a message
what seal behind the retaining plate? you talking about an LT1?
and a MSD opti really isnt a upgrade.....
07-02-2009, 06:15 PM
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Check your oil pan gasket and look around it to see if thats were it is..ive heard the lt1s have a problem with the stock gasket..mine leaked but i fixed it no bit problem...
