Help me find my oil leak

[OutKast]

I appear to be leaking oil out of the front of the motor. However I can't get a good look at it without some disassembly. There is no oil in the coolant, and no coolant in the oil, but I think it is leaking out of the head. Is this possible with these motors? Looking from the top, I see no oil, but from the bottom, there is obviously a leak, although not that bad. I was thinking of pulling the valve covers, but I am not sure how complex it is.

Is there a front seal similar to a rear main seal that could leak?

How much of pain is it to replace a head gasket, if that is what it is?

In case it matters, I do have a whipple @ 12 psi, it's been on the motor for about 64000 miles,and the motor has 80k. No other motor mods, at least that I know of.

Thanks for any input.

-Chris

 

[hotcobra03]

I appear to be leaking oil out of the front of the motor. However I can't get a good look at it without some disassembly. There is no oil in the coolant, and no coolant in the oil, but I think it is leaking out of the head. Is this possible with these motors? Looking from the top, I see no oil, but from the bottom, there is obviously a leak, although not that bad. I was thinking of pulling the valve covers, but I am not sure how complex it is.

Is there a front seal similar to a rear main seal that could leak?

How much of pain is it to replace a head gasket, if that is what it is?

In case it matters, I do have a whipple @ 12 psi, it's been on the motor for about 64000 miles,and the motor has 80k. No other motor mods, at least that I know of.

Thanks for any input.

-Chris

Front cover has seal for crankshaft..

It also isnt a flush fit near head..rtv must be used in certain spots..
.

 

[Ponyracer1]

Degrease, pressure wash, drive, inspect. Should be able to find it.

 

[OutKast]

Front cover has seal for crankshaft..

It also isnt a flush fit near head..rtv must be used in certain spots..
.

Thanks, this is good to know, although I hope it's not leaking there.

Degrease, pressure wash, drive, inspect. Should be able to find it.

That sounds like what I might have to do. It is hard to see the front of the motor, I might need to get a mirror on a stick. I also need the weather to cooperate here in Pittsburgh. I didn't want to degrease with the temps in the low 30s. It should be warm enough this weekend though. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[hotcobra03]

There are many pdf links posted for engine rebuild from factory..

It has information on where to put rtv and how much and why..



The crankshaft key way even gets a dab of rtv..oil can leak past keyway..

Stock lower pulley is your biggest issue if you still have it..link about this is also on svt..

Plan all day for this..if you do remove front cover..its easy just time consuming. .

Valve covers are tricky with seals for plug valley..and room to swing over cam towers on reassembly ..


Most things in front only need to be moved aside vs completly off..

For me pulling radiator and fan as 1 unit was enough to access front cover..

 

[ColorMatched]

Where are you in Pittsburgh? Look under the car, where is the most saturation of oil at and how far up can you trace it? I have a small leak at the rear main seal on my 03 and very slight seeping from the front at the oil pan I believe.

 

[OutKast]

There are many pdf links posted for engine rebuild from factory..

It has information on where to put rtv and how much and why..



The crankshaft key way even gets a dab of rtv..oil can leak past keyway..

Stock lower pulley is your biggest issue if you still have it..link about this is also on svt..

Plan all day for this..if you do remove front cover..its easy just time consuming. .

Valve covers are tricky with seals for plug valley..and room to swing over cam towers on reassembly ..


Most things in front only need to be moved aside vs completly off..

For me pulling radiator and fan as 1 unit was enough to access front cover..

Thanks! These look like good things to know. I'll need to use a real computer and look for those docs you mention. Phone won't cut it for stuff like that.

 

[OutKast]

Where are you in Pittsburgh? Look under the car, where is the most saturation of oil at and how far up can you trace it? I have a small leak at the rear main seal on my 03 and very slight seeping from the front at the oil pan I believe.

I am in the south hills.

The oil seems to be coming out higher than the oil filter, but looking from the top, the visible area is clean. There might be a very small leak toward the back, but based on what I could see on both sides, it has to be coming from the front somewhere. I know the air turbulence in the engine bay can blow the oil all over the place, but the top side is almost spotless. It's also not puddling on the floor, making it harder to find the origination point.