VicM

I have just bought 1976 C3 and have discovered a fluid leak which looks like oil, cleaning the area, then driving for about 10 mins, there is fluid which I think is oil, on top of the fuel pump. I have had a shop look at it, and they have replaced the fuel pump gaskets which had clearly rotted out the 1st time, then today they fitted a new fuel pump. After driving home the same fluid is back on the pump, so clearly it's not the fuel pump. however the block, and manifolds are completely dry and clean, I have noticed some light weeping from the power steering assembly, but as that is below the fuel pump level, I can’t see that as an a cause.
Does anyone have some tips on how to identify where this is coming from? Or can recommend a good shop near Scottsdale AZ, I’d be immensely grateful.

Thanks in advance

Vic

Iceaxe

Sounds like you are missing the bolt (3/8?) Located just above the fuel pump. This is a very short bolt used to plug a bolt hole. When you install a new fuel pump you insert a longer bolt into the hole to hold the fuel pump push rod up so you can install the nee fuel pump. If that bolt is missing you will have oil on top of your fuel pump. It's the first thing I'd check and takes less than a minute.

Alan 71

Hi Vic,
Welcome!
I believe this is the location of the bolt Ice is referring to.
Perhaps it's loose enough to let some oil seep out.
Regards,
Alan

DorianC3

It likes a drop or two of sealant after a good clean.

carriljc

Ensure you get the appropriate "short" bolt or you'll lock you'll fuel pump push-rod.

Big2Bird

Sneak your cell phone down there and post a picture.

HeadsU.P.

I'm putting my money on: the pump gaskets were installed incorrectly. Unless your shop mechanics are us ol' timers, they wouldn't know you have to RTV ALL FOUR SIDES because of two gaskets (common, forgetful, dilema). Permatex Black on both sides of the mounting plate gasket. Same goes for both sides of the pump gasket.

There's really no oil pressure behind the mounting plate, but without RTV they will drip everytime.

DorianC3

DorianC3

tomgallucci57

how about ac compressor seal leaking,,if it has ac

VicM

Hi sorry for the delay in getting back to you on this ,firstly, Thanks to everyone for their responses, I've taken a few steps and as requested taken pictures. So a chronology of events:
got home from the shop, parked up and checked. same problem, so cleaned everything in the area.
Pic 1 Pic 1 cleaned area
Pic 2 looking along the plug line to see any evidence from the Head.no leaking I can see (whew!)
Picture of the bottom of the Head I think this is the Bolt that was suspect?
All looks clear here, if this is the correct bolt. Cleaned AreaSo next, I sprayed the area with Foot powder( a tip from You Tube)
Powder coated the Pump
And sure enough after 4 miles of driving keeping the engine around 2000-2500 RPM,
we get this. So in my opinion this looks to be a defective pump, or badly attached. The shop had to disassemble the pump to get the orientation of the fuel lines to work, so is this a possibility?
Looks like the diaphragmall of the mounting bolts, plates and the special bolt are clear and still covered in powder with no signs of oil anywhere.

So please could someone suggest what to do, (play nice please)

Thanks in advance

Vic

Big2Bird

Is it oil or fuel? Looks like fuel to me. Maybe they screwed up the seal when they re clocked it.

HeadsU.P.

Its time for two very special tools not found in your toolbox. A finger and a nose.
What does it smell like?

Nice pump, nice bolts, nice header studs too!

kansas123

Any chance you could start and run the engine and just watch it for a while??? To try and help determine where it's coming from? And that would be after you stick a finger or a qtip down there and retrieve a dab so you can smell it...

DorianC3

VicM

thanks again everyone,
it's not fuel, as it smells and feels oily, Dorian's reply seem to fit my symptoms and are probably as close to what I am getting as i can tell. sitting at idle for 10 min,s or so, no leaks,
Sadly I don't have a hoist to put the car up on to get under properly, and a little nervous just using the scissor jack!! Heads up asks about an special S hose for the pump, the fuel lines in and out of the pump are braided, so no S that I can see,
Given that this shop has tried to resolve this three times now, should I go back or find someone else? Is there anyone else close to or in Scottsdale AZ, who could recommend someone who can assist?

thanks

Vic

Big2Bird

The braided hose right in front of the pump. Is that a tranny cooler line?

derekderek

Looks like they didn't put all the perimeter bolts in after clocking the pump. The diaphragm has fuel on 1 side and engine oil on the other. And fan and wind would blow it up-back onto top of pump. Also, that is oil, not gas.

HeadsU.P.

I believe those are rivets for every other hole.

VicM

Hi guys,
The braided hose is the uprated fuel line feed from the tank, the capped line is the old fuel line, why they did not remove it I don't know. Anyway I am decided to let the shop have another go at this one last time, I've shown them the pictures that I posted, and they are going to do a couple of things. 1. Reseal the pump by applying a silicon sealer to both sides of the diaphragm, then run the car for a while. 2. if that's not the problem then they will "dye" the oil, and then run the engine under load to see if there is any other leak, as mentioned previously from the oil sum gasket. what I failed to mention i that the sump is a Moroso sump, not the original.

Vic