Oil leak. I need an adult.

[Luftwaffel]

Oil leak after oil pan reassembly, but I can't find evidence of leaking from the pan. What is this hole and what could be leaking here? Hole... leaking...

[Luftwaffel]

Also correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the engine only extend to the end of the foam strip behind the pan? This makes me even more confused where this oil is coming from.

[Spartarus]

You are not wrong. There are a few possibilities. The engine itself extends a little past half of that black crossmember. That funny silver steel plate closes off the void between the upper oil pan and the bellhousing.

1. Rear main seal, if it's coming from the bellhousing.

2. The black steel pan is actually just the lower oil pan, the upper pan is the machined cast aluminum piece above it that houses the water pump, oil pump pickup, and that funny silver steel plate in back. That's gasketless, and sealed with the same 103 sealant. Could be leaking from anywhere along that seal.

Are you sure it's not oil that spilled when taking the pan off though?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Spartarus

Are you sure it's not oil that spilled when taking the pan off though?

This is my guess. If your spilled some oil by tipping the pan back it could flow through all sorts of weird and wonderful spots. Just clean up what you can monitor how much comes back and your oil level.

[Luftwaffel]

Rear main seal is what I'm worried about but I see no reason why that would have gone since I haven't been working in that area. It's probably leftovers from the oil pan disaster that didn't get cleaned up... the oil does seem a bit dark.

It was pretty late and I had gotten tired of dealing with if for the night but I'll be back at it this afternoon.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Luftwaffel

.................... Hole... leaking...

I always wondered what kept those things from leaking .......


humfrz

[Luftwaffel]

So I only see it drip while the car is running. This is strange. I can't get inside that little plate to clean it either.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Luftwaffel

So I only see it drip while the car is running. This is strange. I can't get inside that little plate to clean it either.

Well, if you can see it dripping, no sense and cleaning if off to see if it returns.

It's possible that some oil has accumulated under that plate and when the engine is running the vibration/air movement is causing it to drip out.

You might consider pulling the lower pan back off and inspect the area to see if you can figure it out. Replace and re-seal or put a new pan gasket on.


humfrz

[Luftwaffel]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Well, if you can see it dripping, no sense and cleaning if off to see if it returns.

It's possible that some oil has accumulated under that plate and when the engine is running the vibration/air movement is causing it to drip out.

You might consider pulling the lower pan back off and inspect the area to see if you can figure it out. Replace and re-seal or put a new pan gasket on.


humfrz

I drove around for almost an hour just a bit ago so hopefully I won't see much when I get under it later. I picked up a mirror to poke around a bit more. I had the oil pan off for quite a long while... I wonder if the oil could have dried under the plate and is slowly reliquefying with heat.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Luftwaffel

I drove around for almost an hour just a bit ago so hopefully I won't see much when I get under it later. I picked up a mirror to poke around a bit more. I had the oil pan off for quite a long while... I wonder if the oil could have dried under the plate and is slowly reliquefying with heat.

Well, let's hope the leak (if that what is is/was will "fix" itself. Sometimes sealers will do that.

As far as the oil drying (solidifying) and then re-liquefying, that is highly unlikely (outside of the laboratory, so to speak).

If it continues to drip, I'm afraid you will have to get your machine up on a rack, where you can really see what is going on. My money is on a leaking oil pan. Let's hope it isn't a rear main seal.

Bubba says to just put a pan in your garage under your car and not worry about it ....... his rhetorical (my word, not his - he don't know what that means) question is ...... how many drips of oil in a quart ... ??


humfrz

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Well, let's hope the leak (if that what is is/was will "fix" itself. Sometimes sealers will do that.

That's for giving him hope. It's a big leak.

As far as the oil drying (solidifying) and then re-liquefying, that is highly unlikely (outside of the laboratory, so to speak).

That's for even entertaining that thought. Luft, no. Interesting but no.

Bubba says to just put a pan in your garage under your car and not worry about it ....... his rhetorical (my word, not his - he don't know what that means) question is ...... how many drips of oil in a quart ... ??

God, I hate Bubba.

Luft, why was the oil pan removed in the first place? Was anything else disassembled?

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

That's for giving him hope. It's a big leak.


That's for even entertaining that thought. Luft, no. Interesting but no.


God, I hate Bubba.

Luft, why was the oil pan removed in the first place? Was anything else disassembled?

DANG, there @Ultramaroon ....now THAT'S a LOT of slappen around .....

OK, @Luftwaffel ...... what's the ..... "rest of the story" .. ??

And just what was the "oil pan disaster" you spoke of .. ??

(you haven't been off roading - have you ..... ??)


humfrz

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by humfrz

DANG, there @Ultramaroon ....now THAT'S a LOT of slappen around .....

Oops, sorry. Got caught up in the moment.

[Luftwaffel]

I only just put it back together from the Fumoto getting crushed because it was too long. I pulled the pan almost immediately and then it sat for a while since I've been busy.