Mysterious Oil Leak
08-06-2009, 10:42 PM
#1
Mysterious Oil Leak Ever since i got my new motor there has been a very slow oil leak. I have checked the usual culprits but im still having no luck. Here is what i have ruled out.
Rear main: They puke oil which is far from what I am doing
Oil pan: Its sealed up tight and it doesnt trace back to it
Drain plug/filter: Leak comes from higher up
Crankcase vent line: No oil on the top of the valve cover
Oil cap: Pretty obvious to check
Valve cover: Dry
Timing Cover
So where else could it be coming from?
Rear main: They puke oil which is far from what I am doing
Oil pan: Its sealed up tight and it doesnt trace back to it
Drain plug/filter: Leak comes from higher up
Crankcase vent line: No oil on the top of the valve cover
Oil cap: Pretty obvious to check
Valve cover: Dry
Timing Cover
So where else could it be coming from?
Last edited by hitmanws6; 08-06-2009 at 10:57 PM.
08-06-2009, 11:34 PM
#4
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I would check around. Clean up your engine bay and engine and then check it after driving it for a bit. I honestly have not known an LT1 that did not at least seep a little bit. As long as you don't notice any lack of oil on your dipstick, you should be fine. I gave up on finding mine a while ago. She just seeps a little bit, and I have NEVER been able to even tell a difference in the oil level on my dipstick.
08-06-2009, 11:57 PM
#5
I would check around. Clean up your engine bay and engine and then check it after driving it for a bit. I honestly have not known an LT1 that did not at least seep a little bit. As long as you don't notice any lack of oil on your dipstick, you should be fine. I gave up on finding mine a while ago. She just seeps a little bit, and I have NEVER been able to even tell a difference in the oil level on my dipstick.
08-07-2009, 12:02 AM
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the oring on my oil level sensor in the side of the pan was seeping just enough to wet down everything under there but not enought to casue my oil level to drop significantly.
08-07-2009, 10:24 AM
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I am thinking then that you have normal seepage? Is this your first LT1? I am thinking the only way to tell EXACTLY where it is: pull the motor. wipe it down and clean her up. drop the motor back in. run it on the street for a day or two. pull the motor, and you will find your leak. Not worth it IMO. But I am guessing it is just seepage if you are not showing low on the dip. Double check with some of the guys more knowledgable than me, but it is probably just seepage.
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08-07-2009, 10:41 AM
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Now there's a term I haven't heard since retiring from the Navy. There is no such animal. Seals either seal or they don't. Gaskets, Orings etc. either seal or they don't. If they don't, then there is an underlying problem that causes this to happen. The problem may be damage, it may be poor design, it may be old age of the offending seal, it may be any of a number of things....but it's still a problem that needs to be fixed.
The phrase "normal seepage" is a catch all for "I don't know why it's leaking" or "I'm either too lazy or don't care enough to fix it".
The phrase "normal seepage" is a catch all for "I don't know why it's leaking" or "I'm either too lazy or don't care enough to fix it".
08-07-2009, 12:41 PM
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Now there's a term I haven't heard since retiring from the Navy. There is no such animal. Seals either seal or they don't. Gaskets, Orings etc. either seal or they don't. If they don't, then there is an underlying problem that causes this to happen. The problem may be damage, it may be poor design, it may be old age of the offending seal, it may be any of a number of things....but it's still a problem that needs to be fixed.
The phrase "normal seepage" is a catch all for "I don't know why it's leaking" or "I'm either too lazy or don't care enough to fix it".
The phrase "normal seepage" is a catch all for "I don't know why it's leaking" or "I'm either too lazy or don't care enough to fix it".
