Big Block Oil Leak
 

I uncovered the car and did some test runs yesterday. I noticed a drop and stream of oil on the top of my exhaust manifold at approx #4 cylinder. I ran my hand under the valve cover looking for oil and found none. I wonder if it could be coming out of the dipstick. I recently changed the dipstick and dipstick tube. There is a rubber boot on the dipstick and it seems to fit ok over the tube. I didnt think there was any pressure built up in the oil pan. Unless the PCV valve is not working which I will check today. Anyone have any other ideas on where to check.

thanks

john lolli

Re: Big Block Oil Leak (JL66REDCPE)
 

:confused:

I do know 1st hand the valve covers can play tricks on you
concerning leaks.....

But on top of the intake? Hmmmm.....
I would double check the covers......
Can also look just like a rear main seal, those thin pesky covers.

Re: Big Block Oil Leak (396 RAT)
 

Rat

The oil is on the top of the Exhaust Manifold.

john lolli

Re: Big Block Oil Leak (JL66REDCPE)
 

oops :bb

I would still look at the valve covers cross eyed......

Re: Big Block Oil Leak (396 RAT)
 

hey john...bummer.....never heard of oil shooting out of the dip stick tube, and you're right, the oil pressure is downstream from the oil pump, not in the pan...did you do anything else to the car that might be the cause?

Re: Big Block Oil Leak (Kid_Again)
 

Kid - I installed a new dipstick, dipstick tube and oill fill cap. I didnt do anything else on that side of the engine. This one os quite a mystery. I am going to run the car and re-check the underside of the valve cover. The oil was laying just below where the top of the exhaust manifold mates with the block.

Re: Big Block Oil Leak (JL66REDCPE)
 

Anything on the valve cover adjacent to #4 - like the oil fill cap or a PCV connection? If so, that's were I'd start. The oil could be leaking down the cover and accumulating on the bottom flange before dripping onto the manifold. Maybe your new oil fill cap is not sealing properly to the valve cover.

Whenever something happens always ask yourself: What's the last thing I did? In this case it sounds like you changed your oil fill cap, and it may be the culprit even though it is new.

Duke

Re: Big Block Oil Leak (JL66REDCPE)
 

Well it appears that the manifold bolts (top bolt left of #4 and lower bolt right of #6) are probably loose. What I thought was oil seems to be a raw gas mixture. There was a kind of spray pattern just above the manifold where it meets the block. Funny, I didnt hear an exhaust leak but there is no doubt that is what it is. I hope the gasket is still ok. Going to try and tighten/re-torque the bolts and see what happens.

Re: Big Block Oil Leak (JL66REDCPE)
 

:thumbs:

Re: Big Block Oil Leak (JL66REDCPE)
 

john...did you get my email?

Re: Big Block Oil Leak (Kid_Again)
 

joe -- you have mail