Oil leak help

"Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car" (pilot-and-car-guy)
03/17/2015 at 21:47 • Filed to: None

It appears that we have an oil leak from the oil filter housing, the oil pan, or somewhere else. I tightened the bolts all around the oil pan all the way around the engine, except for 2~4 I couldn't reach. Some is leaking on to the exhaust pipe. Some is leaking from somewhere above the oil filter, falling on the oil filter, falling off on to the frame, then going to the ground. It is a 1984~6 ford econoline van that was converted to a motor home. Thanks for the help. Have an alfa for your time.

DISCUSSION (23)

deekster_caddy > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
03/17/2015 at 22:02

Just tightening bolts may not help. On a sheetmetal pan that has already been overtightened, the pan itself could be warped so that it is tight by the bolts and loose in between. No amount of further tightening can un-warp the pan. Same goes for old stamped valve cover gaskets. Removing the pan, cleaning up to spotless on both pan and engine block, a fresh gasket and somewhat thick layer of RTV plus not overtightening the bolts might stop the leaking.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > deekster_caddy
03/17/2015 at 22:04

We did that as more of a "let's try this..." thing than a "this will fix it" thing.

We still aren't sure where the oil is coming from. Also, we are planning to leave town Thursday morning, so speed is good.

deekster_caddy > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
03/17/2015 at 22:47

I hear you, just putting it out there that often tightening bolts won't stop a leak. Also worth checking valve cover gaskets as a source, it usually flows down...

But if it's really oil-soaked, a dose of engine-brite may be in order so you can pinpoint the fresh oil vs the old sludge...

E92M3 > deekster_caddy
03/17/2015 at 22:52

^This is true. Most peoples first reaction is to torque down the pan bolts, which warps the lip of the pan, and often makes the leak even worse.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > deekster_caddy
03/17/2015 at 23:30

Hmm, so the oil usually flows down... I'm going to have to remember that!

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
03/18/2015 at 03:59

Youre in colorado right? I can come by and take a look if you want, i have (maybe had?) a similar issue with my truck, i may be of some assistance. I had an extremely slow oil leak from the oil filter that I think i fixed when i replaced the filter and did an oil change on sunday.

RacinBob > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
03/18/2015 at 08:10

Here's an idea. Is it possible that the old gasket stuck to the engine the last time you changed your oil filter and now you have two? A gasket sandwich leaks.

Having said this, If you didn't change your filter recently, this is probably not the cause, because this kind of leak happens almost immediately.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/18/2015 at 08:53

I am. That would be great. How can i get in touch with you?

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > RacinBob
03/18/2015 at 08:54

I'll definitely watch for that in the future, but it ran fine for about 4 trips before we put it away for the winter. No coming back out, we noticed that the oil was gone from the dipstick, and there was a huge puddle under the vehicle.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
03/18/2015 at 08:55

Are you in the Oppo Facebook Group?

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/18/2015 at 09:16

I'm not yet.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
03/18/2015 at 09:17

Shoot me an email: applefanatic10.7 (at) gmail (dot) com. I'll give you my phone number from there. When were you thinking of getting together?

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/18/2015 at 09:18

Do you have some time today?

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
03/18/2015 at 09:19

I've gotta be downtown between 11 and 4 anytime before or after that could work

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
03/18/2015 at 09:20

I'll let you know in about half an hour. Need to talk with my dad and see what we're doing today.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
03/18/2015 at 09:21

ok, I'll shoot you a text so you have my number

deekster_caddy > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
03/18/2015 at 12:57

I guess it all depends how fast you drive... but hey, it's hard to tell from the description above. It's usually hard to get from the oil pan to the exhaust pipe on an RWD V8...

RacinBob > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
03/18/2015 at 13:41

I don't think its the oil pan. They are designed not to leak (unless you drive a Subaru). The only pan leaks I've seen are on my race car where the oil is really sloshing against the gasket. (by the way, could your pan be damaged or rusted out?)

My hunch is you have a oil pressure transducer with a bad diaphram, or maybe a bad valve cover gasket. Other possibilities are that if you have a mechanical fuel pump, its loose and oil leaks from there. Finally, any kind of oil cooler line is a candidate. One last thing would be a leaking rear or front main seal

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > RacinBob
03/18/2015 at 13:59

We are thinking it is the bottom seal on the block. We're getting one at 2 pm today, and we'll see then.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > deekster_caddy
03/18/2015 at 15:21

Oh I totally know what you meant, I just thought the way it was worded was funny. The way air flows through an engine bay can have some weird effects as to where leaking fluids go.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > deekster_caddy
06/05/2015 at 11:27

Way late, but on this RV conversion the exhaust pipe runs right behind the engine.

deekster_caddy > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
06/05/2015 at 12:29

It’s strange, I can see that you replied to me today, but I can’t see the reply. All I see is that you said the exhaust pipe runs right behind the engine - if anything that would smoke off oil coming from above, and make not much difference to oil going out the bottom. Does the exhaust pipe go under the engine/transmission inspection cover, or back of the oil pan? Oil leaking onto this exhaust pipe? Do you need to remove it to get to the inspection cover? Rear main seal?

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > deekster_caddy
06/05/2015 at 12:45

We think we got it mostly fixed by now. It no longer loses much. It goes under the inspection cover(s). It’s above the cross member that is under the engine/transmission. At some point, we’ll do all the seals, that should fix all leaks.