Oil LEAKS

[BOONE93]

I have a few oil leaks on my 93. It looks like its leaking toward the rear of the engine but my local mechanic can't seem to find it. Can't stand it any more and want to know if anybody has a recomendation as to where in Northwest/Northcentral Ohio I should take it to get it fixed. Thanks for your help

 

[Toms007]

Oil leaks bug the $*#@ out of me too. Leaking from the rear is probably the intake manifold gasket. Apparently a very common issue with the LTx engine. I don't think that it is all that much of an problem fixing it. But, that's where my money lies, new intake gaskets should fix that. Mine was leaking in the front and the intake gaskets had been changed right before I bought it, so I had to do a bit more searching and researching. But I think I found my problem with the front crank seal. I replaced it along with the optispark drive seal and the water pump drive seal, and replaced the opti and the water pump all out in one fell swoop in March. I think I've got that one stopped. Hopefully that is it.

Have your mechanic check the intake gaskets, if not that then I understand that there might be an O-ring seal on the oil filter adapter that could be the culprit.

Keep us posted on the progress.

 

[eleebid]

me too

My '92 leaks pretty bad. Not enough to notice it on the dip stick, but enogh to leave several drops of oil when I park it. I pulled the intake off and put new gaskets and re-sealed the ends. It didnt even slow the leaks down. The oil seams to be comming from the back and sides of the engine. It drips right on to the exhaust- so it smokes and smells. My next two things to do are the oil pressure/temp sensors and the oil pan gasket. If anybody has done this before How hard is it to change the pan gasket?????

 

[Toms007]

Valve cover gaskets could be a possibility.

 

[LT4man]

I would suggest cleaning your engine. (Of course, be careful not to spray water directly on the Optispark!)

Then find a shop which uses a dye and black light to locate the source of your leaks. Worth the money to pin point the EXACT place which is leaking.

Fix the leaks you find.

Good Luck!

SAVE THE

 

[Florida Guy]

Feel along the rear of the intake manifold. I had a slight leak as you describe. When I touched that area I got fresh oil on my fingers. I have never lost enough for it to show up on the dip stick. So one of these days I'll get around to R&R that manifold gasket. Do a search on this forum. Someone posted the procedure citing the correct materials to use.

 

[John Robinson]

On my 93 I have a leak at the front of the engine. I am going to wait until I have to replace the Opti or pull the water pump (New one a year ago)or to replace plug wires. I can go 7K without any oil usage showing on the dip stick.

 

[gmjunkie]

Valve cover gaskets could be a possibility.

My $$$$'s on the Oil sending unit!!!!! Yep them little miserable Bastards Leak and will drive you Crazy!!!! Takes a Special socket to get them off,some of the earlier ones have 2 back in the back on top,and you'll probly have to replace both of them because you'll brake the other one screwing with it!!!!! Been There,Done that!!!! While you have them off take the fittings out of the block and Teflon tape them too and make sure there tight, otherwise you'll just be doing it again!!!! PS I've also had to re-torque heads from oil running out the back and front of the head from the drain back holes!!:ugh

 

[Toms007]

My $$$$'s on the Oil sending unit!!!!! Yep them little miserable Bastards Leak and will drive you Crazy!!!! Takes a Special socket to get them off,some of the earlier ones have 2 back in the back on top,and you'll probly have to replace both of them because you'll brake the other one screwing with it!!!!! Been There,Done that!!!! While you have them off take the fittings out of the block and Teflon tape them too and make sure there tight, otherwise you'll just be doing it again!!!! PS I've also had to re-torque heads from oil running out the back and front of the head from the drain back holes!!:ugh

Hey junkie, when you say these leak, do you mean that they have to be replaced or just taken out and teflon tape them and reinstall? I'm not sure about what you are saying. Are these the oil pressure sending units or are they oil temp sending units? I don't have a leak back there, but I'm all for preventative maintenance and learning what I can. Thanks.

 

[gmjunkie]

Hey junkie, when you say these leak, do you mean that they have to be replaced or just taken out and teflon tape them and reinstall? I'm not sure about what you are saying. Are these the oil pressure sending units or are they oil temp sending units? I don't have a leak back there, but I'm all for preventative maintenance and learning what I can. Thanks.

If it ain't broke.Don't fix it!!!!Anyway the sending unit leaks between where plastic and metal are crimped together the plastic part is where it plugs in to the harness!!!!I've even seen them leak out of the pins for the plug!!The L98 has 2 (oil press,oil temp,top) on a little tree with a couple fittings come out of the back of the block!! I've got them back in there and then still have little leak and have to take them back out and tape all the fittings and make sure there tight!!!They probly move a little getting the old unit out and the new one in!! The lt1 has 1 (oil press,top) in the back and it is prone to leak the same way,So just as well do it or it may leak!!!! The L98's are a Bigger PITA,No room, there behind the distributer!!!I had 1 that leaked down the back of the engine and dripped out the bottom torque converter cover,after changing the rear main seal I still had a bad leak and found the leaking sending unit!!!!!So NOW I check that first and I have found more leaking sending units than leaking rear Main seals or Valve covers!!!!Changing a rear main seal is no laughing Matter!!! Either the Tranny has to come out or the engine has to come up and forward far enough to get room the do it!!!hnoes Either way,IT Inhales!!! PS the Oil temp unit on a Lt1 is just above the Oil filter!!

 

[Toms007]

Hey, thanks Junkie. I have a few leaks that I have been running down. Next time I have it up on the lift here at school I'll check out the sending unit.