I just drove a 95 Z28 (not the Formula in my signature which is also for sale) over 2000 miles across country and a couple of problems sprang up. First, it required about 7 quarts of oil through the whole trip. It was leaking a ton, where as before it only had a very slow leak from the back of the engine ever since it was purchased 5 years ago (possibly the intake manifold leak?)

Second, it leaked a little bit of coolant (but the radiator is still full). However, in addition to leaking coolant, it ran extremely hot for cruising speed. It ran between at about 2/3 on the temp gauge, even at 80 mph and in 40 degree weather.

The morning after the car has been sitting overnight, it doesn't appear to be leaking much at all (I put a large piece of cardboard under it). There was a tiny droplet of oil from the back of the engine and a tiny bit of coolant from the front passenger side or middle.

I'm wondering if the hot running temperature is making the oil leak much worse. I'm thinking of replacing the thermostat and some of the hoses. Anyone have any other ideas for me?

 

i had the same temperature problem as you did. replaced the thermostat, flushed the radiator, checked the waterpump, turned out to be the radiator cap not holding pressure. 4$ fix from autozone.

 

Well, the car sat overnight and barely leaked a drop. Put on a known working radiator cap from the Firebird and drove it to Autozone to get a new thermostat. Radiator cap didn't help. Ordered the stat from Autozone and then checked underneath the car for leaks since it had been warmed up, and sure enough there were oil leaks (fairly significant) underneath it, from near the back of the engine/before the transmission.

I will try the thermostat tomorrow and see what happens with the temps.

Any ideas on the oil leak? Maybe really really bad intake manifold leak (since it's only really leaking when running/hot?)