Ridiculous Oil Leak....

GotaT · 01-14-2007, 08:31 AM

I've finally put my rebuilt engine/tranny back in the car after replacing valve covers, gaskets, and pressure checking the oil cooler.. due to a very persistent Oil Leak.... I am still struggling w/ an Oil Leak which appears to be on the Passenger side. I've put all new gasktes/seals on every part.

Is there some sort of Dye that could be added to the oil to Find the leak area? My only Idea of where the leak could possibly be, would be the Mating surface b/n the Oil cooler and engine,... im not sure How, with new seals, .. but???.... And the other Extreme possiblitly would be the Cam tower Housing on the passenger side.. once again, not sure how after using the Anaerobic clear red sealant.. but.... I still have a Leak dripping on the Exhaust Man.
Is there any "required" sealant to be used on the Oil cooler Seals?
This is the 3rd time I pull the engine to "fix" this leak, and to no avail. Any help is appreciated.......

Good News... The Transmission Feels GREAT! First time I rebuilt a Tranny and I am Very pleased.. New 1st/2nd hubs/brake bands.. Synchros checked out fine. and All Seals. Tranny Input shaft seal was leaking, which is why I Rebuilt it.

!

kenikh · 01-14-2007, 01:27 PM

You should be able buy UV dye at any car parts store. You then run a blacklight over the motor to find th eleak.

boxermania · 01-14-2007, 06:31 PM

GotaT

Sorry about your persistent leak.....whereabouts in Loisiana are you, I'm in BR and maybe we can compare notes and pool resources. Call me at 225-445-6922

jbrinkley · 01-15-2007, 02:54 AM

Mitch, I used to have some of that die, I'm out now but I do have the flashlight for it. You can order it online. Sorry your leak didn't get fixed.

AFJuvat · 01-15-2007, 05:31 AM

You can also just clean the engine top and bottom with degreaser - the stuff wal-mart sells works really well. Clean everything off and dry as best you can. They oil will appear as a wet spot. or a "snail trail"

Start the car and craw under and look for running oil.

A couple of "common" causes of leaks on the passenger side:

Oil pressure switch (could work fine, but oil leaks through the switch or it is not correctly torqued)

Oil cooler crack - or O-rings failing to seat (debris)

pinched oil thermostat o-ring

sealant failure between cam tower and head.

Moving rocker shafts

poor sealing betwen head and cylinder

cylinder base gasket

Oil return tubes

breather plate gasket, or cracked breather hose

Post pictures!!

AFJ

GotaT · 01-15-2007, 09:40 AM

AFJ, Yesturday I cleaned/degreased the engine throroughly and did just that. I ran the car for about 15-20 minutes w/ me under it in search of Oil leaks. I found that the Cooler is a definite problem, appears to be in the Fins and not the New gasket seals against the engine. I also found that there is some seapage b/n the # 4 and mostly #5 Cam Tower and Cyl Head. I am thinking it may be a tourquing issue being that I recently took off both cam towers and put in the Anaerobic sealant.
My plan at this time is to drain the oil pull the lower cover on the pas side and Retourque/Snug up the Lower Cam Tower nuts and then reassemble and Check. (Im hoping to Not remove the cam tower or Any rocker arms. I also recently put RTV on the Hex nuts/bolt holding the Rocker shafts and already have RSR seals.) ..
.. If after Snugging the lower cam tower doesnt completely fix the minor leak I will then Try putting some Sealant in the Seam between the Outside of Cam Tower mating to the Cylender Head.
Replace Oil Cooler.
Thanks for all info!