Home page
SPONSOR AD SPONSOR AD

Topic: oil leak, is this common?

in Forum: C3 General Discussion


oil leak, is this common?

Posted: 10/30/06 7:51pm Message 1 of 7
Former Member
Send PM
Shenandoah, PA - USA
Joined: 10/18/2006
Posts: 328
Vette(s): 1982 Chevrolet Corvette
There's been quite a bit of oil leaking from my car and it seems that a lot of it is coming right out of the pan around the oil drain plug.  It's the original drain plug and the plastic gasket is intact.  I'm going to get a new magnetic plug over the winter but wanted to know if any of you had similar problems or could offer a quick fix. 


SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)

oil leak, is this common?

Posted: 10/30/06 8:25pm Message 2 of 7
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Next time you change the oil, or when you change the drain plug, look carefully at the area around the threads. The oil pan could have cracks in it around the drain-plug from over-tightening. It could also just be a bad gasket(the plastic washer) on the plug. The gasket may look good from the outside, but it could still be squashed flat/cracked/damaged.

It's a good idea to replace it every so often, when changing the oil. Most people never do it unless it falls to pieces when they remove the plug!
Common problem? Not really, but it does happen, especially for those who change their oil regularly, like they're supposed to!

Then again, it could be that the threads are stripped on the pan, or on the plug, or...both. Adams' Apple2006-10-30 20:27:17


Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

oil leak, is this common?

Posted: 10/30/06 9:27pm Message 3 of 7
Former Member
Send PM
Shenandoah, PA - USA
Joined: 10/18/2006
Posts: 328
Vette(s): 1982 Chevrolet Corvette
I've changed the oil twice already so I don't think any threads are stripped but I will have to take a real good look at the pan and the plug next time.  It just seems that it isn't sealing particularly well with the stock plug  Ermm  Also it looks like it only drips a small amount when the car is parked, but there's a lot of oil back on the trans bellhousing and front of the pan -- like it sprays when driving? PSU 982006-10-30 21:31:31


oil leak, is this common?

Posted: 10/30/06 10:18pm Message 4 of 7
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Yup...the oil will blow back while driving.


Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

oil leak, is this common?

Posted: 10/30/06 11:54pm Message 5 of 7
Former Member
Send PM
Shenandoah, PA - USA
Joined: 10/18/2006
Posts: 328
Vette(s): 1982 Chevrolet Corvette
Right, what I meant was it seems like there is more oil leaking when the car is under load than when it's simply parked.  Of course it's probably leaking from more than one area too...
 
I'm going to put a small parts order in this month so I'll see what a new drain plug will do for it.
PSU 982006-10-30 23:55:19


oil leak, is this common?

Posted: 10/31/06 6:00am Message 6 of 7
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
You may have an oil pan seal leak, or worse, a rear main leak. Check your PCV valve to be sure it is functioning properly. If it is not, then there can be quite a bit of pressure building up in the crankcase, forcing oil out of the sealing areas.
You should be able to shake the PCV valve, and hear it rattle. If not, try cleaning it with some spray carb cleaner. Also, you should be able to blow thru it in one direction, but not the other.


Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

oil leak, is this common?

Posted: 10/31/06 12:18pm Message 7 of 7
Former Member
Send PM
Shenandoah, PA - USA
Joined: 10/18/2006
Posts: 328
Vette(s): 1982 Chevrolet Corvette

I believe the PCV valve is good, I checked that during my initial tune-up.  I thought it might be the rear main seal, if so I guess I will just live with it until it's time for an engine rebuild... hopefully a simple new drain plug stops some of it.




in Forum: C3 General Discussion


SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)