LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

LT1 oil leak problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 10, 2015 | 03:46 PM
  #1  
HotWings's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default LT1 oil leak problem

Hello all, so I've got a 1995 T/A with 67k and a serious puddle under the back side of the motor, about 10inch in diameter every time I park in my garage. The car only starts to leak when running and drips off of the oil pan and bell housing. It has been getting steadily worse and I cant for the life of me solve the problem.
In the past few months I've replaced the intake manifold seals, valve cover gaskets, and the rear main seal. Still the puddle is not getting any smaller. The only other possible source that I can think of causing a leak this size would be the oil pan gasket, which leads me to my question. Is it normal for an oil pan gasket to leak when the car is running and not while parked? I have no experience with this but i've thought that if there were a break in the pan gasket it would leak even while sitting.
I would love any opinions weather they be related to the pan gasket or another possible source.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2015 | 04:01 PM
  #2  
VoyagerCamaro's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 493
Likes: 2
Default

My front main seal leaked and as your driving down the road it will blow oil back everywhere else. Could be that. OR also check your trans pan bolts and see if any are missing because when I first purchased my car it had the same puddle you are describing, it had 3 loose trans pan bolts and one missing, after fixing that and replacing the front main seal, it was gone after a few days of driving.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2015 | 04:04 PM
  #3  
hrcslam's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,610
Likes: 4
From: Maricopa, AZ
Default

Have you checked the oil pressure sensor?
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2015 | 05:56 PM
  #4  
HotWings's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default

Thanks for the quick replies! I checked the oil pressure sensor when I had the intake manifold off and it was fine, no leaks. The front of the motor is surprisingly dry so I don't think the front main has started leaking yet, and i'd check the trans pan but its a t56.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2015 | 11:32 PM
  #5  
VoyagerCamaro's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 493
Likes: 2
Default

There also is the possibility that even though you replaced the seals and gaskets that they still are leaking. If you find the time see if you can post some pics of what it would leave over night.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2015 | 12:04 AM
  #6  
BALLSS's Avatar
TECH Veteran
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,985
Likes: 112
Default

rear of motor dripping down often is intake manifold (rear) leak...but you say you fixed that and then valve covers would be the next..which you fixed...and then the RMS . Holly repair batman..the RMS is a big job

I would steam the motor so it is clean, put some oil dye in and get a blacklight and find wtf the leak is before you swap anymore parts

pan leak, yeah but not a common leak. The most common is rear intake. run your hand back there...any oil??
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2015 | 08:42 AM
  #7  
BTC's Avatar
BTC
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 18
From: Lansing, MI via Bowling Green, KY, Dalton GA, Nashville, TN & Atlanta, GA
Default

What seals did you change in the intake? Are you referring to replacing the intake manifold gaskets, which would also necessitate the application of RTV at the front and rear of the intake where it sits on the block? I would make doubly sure that the rear of the intake is not leaking. It's a very common leak. You could simply run your hand along the back part of the engine where the intake meets the block.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2015 | 02:35 PM
  #8  
HotWings's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default

I actually just picked up some uv dye yesterday, I'll try and post pictures of the results.

Originally Posted by BTC
What seals did you change in the intake? Are you referring to replacing the intake manifold gaskets, which would also necessitate the application of RTV at the front and rear of the intake where it sits on the block? I would make doubly sure that the rear of the intake is not leaking. It's a very common leak. You could simply run your hand along the back part of the engine where the intake meets the block.
I used the Fel-Pro MS95580 set and Permatex ultra copper, every time I run my fingers on the block below the rtv on the back they come back with hardly even a shine of oil.
After performing some arm yoga I managed to film a clip of the back of the manifold with my phone, it may look like like there's oil on the block but I believe that's just the paint finish, because like I said it barely even gives my finger a shine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxy6...ature=youtu.be
And some pictures to go with


Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-3

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-7

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

 Brett Foote
story-9

10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 11, 2015 | 03:25 PM
  #9  
BTC's Avatar
BTC
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 18
From: Lansing, MI via Bowling Green, KY, Dalton GA, Nashville, TN & Atlanta, GA
Default

Originally Posted by HotWings
I used the Fel-Pro MS95580 set and Permatex ultra copper, every time I run my fingers on the block below the rtv on the back they come back with hardly even a shine of oil.
After performing some arm yoga I managed to film a clip of the back of the manifold with my phone, it may look like like there's oil on the block but I believe that's just the paint finish, because like I said it barely even gives my finger a shine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxy6...ature=youtu.be
And some pictures to go with


When you mentioned seals, I wasn't sure you were talking about the intake manifold gaskets, which is why I asked that question. The rear of your intake certainly does not appear to be leaking.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2015 | 10:27 AM
  #10  
myltwon's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,965
Likes: 7
From: Palm Harbor, FL
Default

How long did you let the intake cure for when you installed it?
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2015 | 12:21 PM
  #11  
HotWings's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by myltwon
How long did you let the intake cure for when you installed it?
About 30 or so hours.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2015 | 12:22 PM
  #12  
SS RRR's Avatar
Village Troll
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,111
Likes: 596
From: Jackstandican
Default

Originally Posted by HotWings
About 30 or so hours.
Key ingredient right here. Those who have issues with intakes leaking after trying to fix it most likely did not let the sealant cure long enough, and with the constant assault of oil vapor it's imperative time is given to let the sealant dry.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:05 AM.

story-0
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-3
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-4
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-5
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE
story-8
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

The world was a better place when it was still around.

By Brett Foote | 2026-01-23 09:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

Slideshow: The 7.0-liter LS7 was designed for absolute cutting-edge performance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-07 18:36:00


VIEW MORE