LT1 Based Engine Tech 1993-1997 LT1/LT4 Engine Related

Can't get my leak to go away

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Old 06-09-2009, 12:50 PM
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Can't get my leak to go away

I built my motor 2 years ago, and it NEVER leaked a drop. Last summer I was driving down the highway, and there was something in the middle of my lane. I couldn't get over, and couldn't swerve to miss it, so I tried to straddle it. Turns out it was a big chunk of something, it smacked my oil pan, putting a hole in it, and cracking my tranny. I got a new tranny, and replaced the oil pan and gasket. The car has leaked oil ever since. I have replaced the pan gasket again, and it still leaks oil. I am thinking maybe the impact ruined my rear main seal? Its not a huge leak, but anytime I got WOT, it blows oil all over the place and smokes everywhere. Rear main sound like the culprit? Also, my clutch is completely dry.
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Old 06-09-2009, 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by 69gto96z
I built my motor 2 years ago, and it NEVER leaked a drop. Last summer I was driving down the highway, and there was something in the middle of my lane. I couldn't get over, and couldn't swerve to miss it, so I tried to straddle it. Turns out it was a big chunk of something, it smacked my oil pan, putting a hole in it, and cracking my tranny. I got a new tranny, and replaced the oil pan and gasket. The car has leaked oil ever since. I have replaced the pan gasket again, and it still leaks oil. I am thinking maybe the impact ruined my rear main seal? Its not a huge leak, but anytime I got WOT, it blows oil all over the place and smokes everywhere. Rear main sound like the culprit? Also, my clutch is completely dry.
Perhaps the impact cracked the front cover....
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Old 06-09-2009, 07:27 PM
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The leak is coming from the rear of the motor, the front is competely dry
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Old 06-09-2009, 10:34 PM
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back of the intake manifold? i just replaced my intake gasket because the intake was leaking and my bellhousing was covered, then it would get onto my exhaust and smoke. no leaks since. no smoke.
just a thought
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Old 06-10-2009, 02:12 AM
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I was thinking that, but it didn't start until the car took a hit. Which makes me think it's on the bottom end. I'll check it tomorrow to make sure
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Old 06-10-2009, 04:53 AM
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When you replaced the gasket, did you seal the front and rear of the pan? If not, "The Right Stuff" will fix the issue. I put it all the way across the front and back, laid the pan gasket in place, laid a bead on the gasket(front and back), then put the pan in place.
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Old 06-10-2009, 10:22 AM
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Where is the oil. If it's on the front of the flywheel..the side opoosite the clutch, and your inspection plate is in place then the rear main seal seems like the primary culprit. If the oil is outside of there and forward of the bellhousing the something else is the issue. Does one side seem worse than the other? Where is oil getting on the exhaust?

Sorry about all the questions.....
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Old 06-10-2009, 12:41 PM
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The oil is on the inspection plate, and there is a black spot on my passenger side header where itnis burning. As for the oil pan gasket, I gave it a nice coat of rtv when I put the gasket in. What is the rear main housing made of? Isn't it plastic? It's been a long time since I've seen one, just can't remember. I'm thinking maybe the impact cracked the rear main housing.
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Old 06-11-2009, 10:00 PM
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Its aluminum. and IIRC the last two oil pan "bolts" are actually studs that come down out of the rear cover (or something like that). So a direct hit to the pan does actually translate to a direct hit to the rear cover. You might be on to something. Its the same crappy fragile aluminum the front cover is made out of.
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