The car is leaking oil pretty steadily. When the motor is running, theres a steady steam of oil rolling down the transmission and onto the ground. Its definately coming from the back of the motor somewhere, right above where the transmission bolts up, but I cant see in there to see exactly where. Ill have to grab a mirror and see what I can see. What are some things I can look for? Where might this oil be coming from? The car hasnt been modded for at least 6 months, so this isnt anything that I might have done during an install. This is my daily driver, so any help is appreciated! Thanks!

- Ryan

 

rear main seal maybe

 

That was one of my first thoughts, though my buddy had a problem with his seal, and it didnt leak nearly as fast. Thanks for the thought though, I guess its going to head to the shop in the morning

- Ryan

 

There's only a few things that can cause this...

The rear main seal is one of them. The others are a broken oil pressure sender that is leaking through the threads, or the cam position sensor's o-ring may have gone bad and is spitting oil. The only other possibiulity is the rear cover gasket is bad, but I highly doubt that, as I've NEVER heard of them failing randomly.......

Perhpas the PCV hoses back there are cracked/broken....

 

If you've had the valvecovers off maybe the gasket wasn't seated in its groove properly and finally let go. I had oil all over the bottom of the car when this happened to me.

 

my friend ANIL8U had the same problem but i cant remember what it was exactly


try pmin him ANIL8U

 

....what about the oil galley plug at the back of the block?

 

I've had the same problem, a leak that I could no see, but I knew it was leaking out, I thought it was the rear-main, vavle cover, everything, but it wasn't. One of the side main bolts was super loose and oil was leaking out of it. Right above/near the oil filter, I swore it was the filter, etc but it was that stupid main bolt or whatever it's called. It's the horizontal bolt goes left to right, not the ones inside the oil pan (for all the specific people)

May be it, may not be. good luck.

 

...is this motor oil or auto tranny fluid?

 

Has the crank pulley ever been removed? If so, it's your timing cover seal (the seal right behind the crank pulley)...This will cause a stream of oil to run down the bottom of the oil pan, down onto the transmission....I'll put money on it...

Josh

 

Like everyone else stated; it could be a lot of things. The rear main would be a pain to swap on the car. I would pull the manifold as that only takes 30 minuntes, and inspect for leaks on the oil sender and cam sensor on the back of the block. I would think it was valve covers, main bolt or rear main seal as my first choices, but you never know until you look.

 

To answer a few questions... yes I have had the valve covers off, but its probably been a good 3-4 months since the last time Ive touched them. And yes I have had the crank pulley replaced, so thats an interesting thought as one of you mentioned... And its definately motor oil, theres not much auto tranny fluid in the T56 Ill pick up a mirror tomorrow, and see if I can get a visual on the source of the leak, and go from there I s'pose. Ive been so busy with work lately though, its hard to find free time to start pulling things apart, so itll probably end up at a friends shop, and see what he can spot. I also installed the LS6 intake, but again, that was probably 6 months ago, but I guess its possible I could have done something to eventually cause a leak/failure of a seal or connection. Ill let you guys know what I find out though, and thanks for the good replies!

- Ryan

 

Im also a little curious why the 'Low Oil' light didnt come on? I know its not an exact science, but missing 4 quarts is pretty darn low! The oil pressure gauge didnt show any change either... I guess they dont call them idiot lights for nothing!

- Ryan

 

You do know that the T56 has Dexron autotrans fluid, right? So unless it any other color but redish-orange, it could be the tranny.

 

Well I do now! I feel just a little on the stupid side. I just assumed he didnt check my sig, and assumed I had an A4, wasnt really thinking what type of fluid was technically in the tranny... so hopefully I didnt come off as too much of a smart ***

- Ryan

 

If you had the intake off and the oil is coming from above the transmission as you stated, chances are you have a problem with the oil pressure sending unit.

 

Welp, the dealer called me this afternoon.... cracked oil pressure sender. Glad it wasnt anything too serious, and hopefully all is well internally. Thanks again for the help and suggestions, guys!

- Ryan