Lots of oil leaking from fro of engine
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Lots of oil leaking from fro of engine I bought a 97 TA with an oil leak. Today I got under it to try to identify what was leaking and I'm still not sure. It appears to be coming from where the harmonic balancer enters the block, but it could be coming from above it and running down onto it. The crank is covered in oil and slinging it everywhere so it's hard to tell if it's leaking or something is leaking onto it. It's a pretty serious leak, too. I did a search of this site and it sounds like a water pump seal is a common culprit for a leak like this. Where should I be looking to confirm this? I caan't see anything from above without taking some parts off the engine. I've included a pic of the leak, it's the best I could do without getting my phone covered in oil. (I can't get the pic to show up so hopefully this link works)
http://imgur.com/1BRuM7A
http://imgur.com/1BRuM7A
TECH Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,985
Likes: 112
very common for the WP drive seal to be the source of leak. I 'could" also be front intake manifold, Opti or crank seal but most likely suspect is WP drive seal.
Go buy a FelPro front timing cover gasket/seal kit for around $10. It will have WP drive, Opti & crank seals and WP gaskets and spline "O" rings in it.
There are wrie up "how to" 411 or buy a Hatnes service book for the steps. TheWP drive seal is tricky to put in but aso many "how to" on doing that, do a search.
Basially you can use the "tool" socket or Sharpie pen cap o slide seal on than put overWP drive spline and use adeep socket o tp in seal.
You are going to hav to get a puller for thehub if you want to also replace crank seal. At very least remove damper from hub to get Opti off.
Take the cap off the opti when you remove it. Very likely oil got inside so clean that if it was WP drive seal leaking
Go buy a FelPro front timing cover gasket/seal kit for around $10. It will have WP drive, Opti & crank seals and WP gaskets and spline "O" rings in it.
There are wrie up "how to" 411 or buy a Hatnes service book for the steps. TheWP drive seal is tricky to put in but aso many "how to" on doing that, do a search.
Basially you can use the "tool" socket or Sharpie pen cap o slide seal on than put overWP drive spline and use adeep socket o tp in seal.
You are going to hav to get a puller for thehub if you want to also replace crank seal. At very least remove damper from hub to get Opti off.
Take the cap off the opti when you remove it. Very likely oil got inside so clean that if it was WP drive seal leaking
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Most common leak on the front of an LT1 is the intake manifold gasket. Check for leaking where the manifold mates to the block before thinking about other leak points. While there are other pathways the intake manifold is the most common.
... Larry S.
... Larry S.
When i had a bad leak it was due to waterpump drive seal. Pain in the butt to install without damaging to, however id check intake manifold that should be to hard of a check since its right up top shouldn't even have to remove the intake elbow.
Considering you just bought the car id do a few things if i were you. Id atleast reseal the intake manifold that is notorious for leaking. Felpro gaskets and i run The Right Stuff front and back and have 0 leaks.
Also if it is leaking super bad from the front and looks like its at the hub.. id bet it was the water pump drive seal. Real easy to replace.
1. Remove the water pump.
2. Screw a screw into old seal and put a vice grip on the screw. Tap out with hammer
3. Take the drive coupler and scuff it clean and smooth with a scotch pad or some sand paper. Put a tiny bit of oil on it and carely slide the new seal onto the end. Make sure the seals dont fold in or out. Keep them how they come. Slide the coupler onto the drive shaft. Gently slide the seal to the timing cover. Get a socket that fits around the drive shaft and gently tap the seal in.
Might sound like a task but its real easy. If you mess up the new seal you have to buy a whole new timing cover kit. But they are cheap! Just take your time and you shouldnt have an issue with even basic mechanic skills.
Also if it is leaking super bad from the front and looks like its at the hub.. id bet it was the water pump drive seal. Real easy to replace.
1. Remove the water pump.
2. Screw a screw into old seal and put a vice grip on the screw. Tap out with hammer
3. Take the drive coupler and scuff it clean and smooth with a scotch pad or some sand paper. Put a tiny bit of oil on it and carely slide the new seal onto the end. Make sure the seals dont fold in or out. Keep them how they come. Slide the coupler onto the drive shaft. Gently slide the seal to the timing cover. Get a socket that fits around the drive shaft and gently tap the seal in.
Might sound like a task but its real easy. If you mess up the new seal you have to buy a whole new timing cover kit. But they are cheap! Just take your time and you shouldnt have an issue with even basic mechanic skills.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
I definitely don't think it's the intake manifold that's leaking. I looked it over and it appears dry and it looks like the previous owner used an entire tube of gasket sealant the last time they attached the intake. It's squeezed out all over the place. I'll be looking into the water pump gasket this weekend.
