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I'm leaking oil help.

I icoleMember
My engine leaks oil. It was not leaking when it sat for 1 year, but I noticed fresh oil on the floor under the front of the oil pan after driving. I have concluded that a seal somewhere besides the oil pan is the issue. What can a remove without pulling the engine out of the car. I do not see oil around the valve covers, but it might be coming from the front side near the intake manifold. It may also be coming from the intake manifold. It is definitely dripping down from the front and hitting the timing cover. After 2 weeks and 30 miles I have not lost enough oil to make a noticeable difference on the dip stick.
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I icoleMember
We had it on a lift today and I looked around with my mechanic, and oil was higher up than the oil pan. He did not think the oil pan was leaking. I have not pulled anything off the front, because there is very little space there, and I imagine that the engine should be removed. My mechanic suggested replacing seals starting top down, and hopefully it will stop leaking before I get to the timing cover seal, and the other ones that require pulling the engine.
I icoleMember
I was wondering how you could do the timing, obviously by removing the bulkhead cover. Also could this be leaking? I have seen smoke come from right below this on the exhaust manifold.
(Also what is this? Is there something better that I could use. The other has a chrome ford cap, that seems to have some sort of venting on the underside.)

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Last edited by icole
dave2811dave2811Member
quote:
Originally posted by icole:
.... Also could this be leaking? I have seen smoke come from right below this on the exhaust manifold.
(Also what is this? Is there something better that I could use. The other has a chrome ford cap, that seems to have some sort of venting on the underside.)

That is a crankcase breather. It is letting vapor out of the block through the valve covers. This vapor contains oil, and will create the mess you see in the picture. It sounds like you have one on the other valve cover as well.

What you should have is a Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve (PCV) plumbed into one valve cover and into a full vacuum port on the carb or manifold, while the other is a breather. That way, the PCV draws the vapor into the cylinders to be burnt, and the breather draws in fresh air only.

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noquarternoquarterMember
Most leaks I've had were between intake manifold and block, both front and rear. Some use molded gaskets, some use RTV, some use both. I've tried it all. Even yesterday I had to add some RTV to the Longchamp. So sit in the engine room, take your hand to the front of the intake manifold, and feel if there's oil. If there is, it can be fixed by repacking without removing any parts, from the front with the engine cover removed. If it can't it's easier to remove the intake and do it than removing the engine. Let us know...
noquarternoquarterMember
quote:
hopefully it will stop leaking before I get to the timing cover seal, and the other ones that require pulling the engine.


BTW, the timing cover can come off while engine is still in car. I seem to remember I've done it. Bit of a pain lowering oil pan, but removing the engine to fix an oil leak is hardly ever needed.
huskerhuskerMember
Yes that's a breather. I agree with PLT-1. You have quite a bit of oil on the valve covers. If this is the case everywhere, which is what I'd expect, the first thing I'd do is clean the engine. It well help to pinpoint the leak if you start with a clean engine. Thr breathers can be cleaned by soaking them in degeaser.
noquarternoquarterMember
Clearly a PCV system that create vacuum would help keep breather oil in the engine. But usually the volume is small if it's only oil from the breathers. I'm still leaning towards oil being thrown around on the bottom of the intake leaking. Feel with your finger where the distributor axle enters the engine block, you may have a puddle of oil there. If you have, it's intake manifold/block gasket or, less likely, distr axle rubber ring.
I icoleMember
quote:
Originally posted by PLT-1:
That seems like a lot of oil on those valve covers. It may have collected and ran down from there. I would correct it to factory specs as suggested and go from there. Did you get your bulk head off??... I can post a photo if needed.
Could you post pics. I don't get much time in the garage, so the more I know going in the better. Thank you.
dave2811dave2811Member
quote:
Originally posted by Belgiumbarry:
i have my breather/pcv just the other sides... is this relevant ( due engine rotation and possible more suction/pressure side valve cover ? ) or no importance which side the both are mounted ???

It makes no difference which valve cover the PCV is in. It is merely a function of where the vacuum port is.
I icoleMember
THE PCV the guy at the auto store sold me is a much smaller ball valve. He builds engines, and he came out and looked at mine. Is that OK, or does yours have a filter in it as well?
quote:
Originally posted by Belgiumbarry:


i have my breather/pcv just the other sides... is this relevant ( due engine rotation and possible more suction/pressure side valve cover ? ) or no importance which side the both are mounted ???
dave2811dave2811Member
quote:
Originally posted by icole:
THE PCV the guy at the auto store sold me is a much smaller ball valve. He builds engines, and he came out and looked at mine. Is that OK, or does yours have a filter in it as well?

You should be OK. Mine has a wad of foam or gauze in the can that functions as an oil separator. Helps keep from sucking oil down into the manifold.
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