Please Help! Oil Leak!!

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K

kino1161

Joined
Jun 25, 2004
Threads
63
Messages
283
Location
VA
Here's what happened: I took the L/C to my mechanic for the oil leak that I've had for about a year or more. I told him that my rear main oil seal needed changing (got that from this board). ;) Well, my mechanic calls me back to the shop to go over what he saw while the truck was on the lift. He noticed that all the bolts around the oil pan were wet with oil. He also took off this rubber rectangle "plug" behind the oil pan and put his hand in there and said this is where oil would be if my rear main seal was leaking. It was "damp" in there, but no oil. Nothing on the flywheel (I guess that is what it's called). So, I guess it is not my rear main seal that is leaking. He took off the oil pan, cleaned it up, re-sealed it and made sure all the bolts were tight. He said that he would rather do that first before making me pay money for a job that didn't need to be done because he could tell the oil pan needed to be done by just looking at it. I can understand that. Well, this morning while leaving for work I noticed a couple of drops of oil under the truck. I didn't get under there to see exactly where they are dripping from but I need any and all suggestions to fix this oil leak problem. Should I switch my oil weight. I currently use 5w-30 here in VA. SHould I go with Rotella, if so, what weight should I use? NOTE: I truly trust my mechanic. He was just looking out for my well-being (pockets) by suggesting what he did. My question to you all is: Where could this oil leak be coming from? Please help! I want my L/C back to 100%! I have a 1996 L/C. Thanks, for reading!
 
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The only real way to check for oil leaks is to thoroughly degrease the whole area then take the vehicle for a drive and closely inspect the area to see exactly where the leak is coming from. It might be necessary to use torches and mirrors to see everywhere that might leak but without the correct diagnosis you will be just guessing.
 
Sounds like a good mechanic to me, but there are two oil pans. The upper pan is probably the one that's leaking, and it's more difficult to remove.
 
Someone please help me. Should I just do an oil weight change? Anyone?
 
kino1161 said:
Someone please help me. Should I just do an oil weight change? Anyone?
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you have a leak, what is the big mystery here? Fix the leak. It's most likely the upper oil pan as stated above. It's the correct answer but if you don't like it than by all means change your oil weight and type repeatedly until you find one that won't leak out. Good luck with that.
 
Thanks, Cruiserman and Mickldo!

Landtank, I was just trying to weigh all my options/fixes to the problem I am having and I am open to listen to everyones opinions/suggestions. No need to be smart about it. I am not a mechanic by any means but I can follow directions if given them. That is one of the reasons I am on the board, for help with problems that may arise with my wife's truck. Comments like yours make people not even want to ask questions.
 
Kino,

Keep in mind the rear main seal/pan arch leak is one of those items that's been beat to death. It's a very common leak and generally one that folks let go until it get's to the point where they decide it's time to fix it. Personally, if it were to the point of dripping on the floor, I'd plan on getting it fixed at some point. To cover your basis, have them fix the rear main and remove and reseal the pan arch while they are there.

When running Chevron Delo 15W-40, my rear main didn't leak, when I switch to Rotella synthetic it seeps a bit during the first half of the oil change interval, then decreases to nothing during the second half of the change interval.

FYI, a seep in the rear main/pan arch area will not result in oil on the flywheel.

:beer:
Rookie2
 
You asked a question, got the answer and then asked it again?

If people thought there were other possiblities they would have posted them up. No need to ask a question a second time unless you have new info to add to it.

Ok, I can be a smart ass at times, but you have a hole in your engine somewhere and oil is leaking out of it. here's your options as I see it.

If it's not that bad:

* live with it and watch your oil level. Add oil when needed


If it's real bad:

* Live with it but run cheap oil as you'll be adding it regularly

* Have the hole repaired
 
Your mechanic seems honest enough, so if you don't do your own wrenching, take it back to him for step two. Just keep in mind that there very well be a step three, etc. as he rules things out.
 
Kino - other options:

1. use the search button at the top of the page and read, read, read. This is about all I do on this board, I rarely post.

2. as suggested above degrease the engine. This will require work on your part. Go to any auto parts store and purchase 3-4 cans of engine cleaner. Follow directions. Points of interest: Do the underneath first so it's not dripping on you, then do the top, around the valve cover; look down at the front of your engine - looking for the timing marks and to the right there is a cover there for the oil pump gear (I think) - there is a gasket there that could be the cause. Then every day use a light and search the engine - top and bottom searching for the leak until you find it. You may have to degrease several times.

Changing oil weights will not let you know where the leak is, only possibly cover it for the time being.

I run Rotella, have to add about a quart every 1000-1500 miles. It leaks some around the valve cover, and the oil pump gear cover.

Remember the search function, it is your friend, go toward the search button. :)

Nelson
 
kino1161 said:
Comments like yours make people not even want to ask questions.
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And comments like the above make people that can answer questions start ignoring yours.

Rick can be direct but don't take it personally. Eric (cruiserman) had given you the correct answer and you didn't acknowledge his response before you repeated your "which oil" question. That is considered rude and you got a rude reply. What did you expect?

Post your questions and patiently await for responses for at least a day or two. Reply quickly to follow-up questions; this shows us you are paying attention and truly want assistance. We tend to get pi$$ed when someone asks a question and disappears. At least you hung around for answers... that's a good sign.

:cheers:

-B-
 
Thanks, everyone. I'll do the engine cleaner/degreaser thing and just watch to see if I can find this infamous leak! :popcorn:
 
Generally I've found there are two types of oil leaks. The first I call a oil weep and although messy it is usually nothing to worry about until it reaches stage two, the full blown leak. Once the oil starts to drip it has developed to a problem that needs to be fixed. By the sound of it yours is dripping on the floor so it would be a leak rather than a weep. Simply changing weights of oil or other cheap fixes won't fix the cause of the problem. The only way is to find exactly where it is leaking from then go from there.
 
I'll try to see if I can post pics. I am not running a toyota oil filter, I forgot the brand.
 
Mickldo said:
It might be necessary to use torches and mirrors to see everywhere ....
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Kino,
Mickldo is from OZ where Torch=flashlight. You wouldn't want to use a torch to find the leak.

:grinpimp:

-B-
 
kino1161 said:
I would like to know, too! :D
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Maybe I was too subtle. My response was a link. Click the link to get a good reason for buying OEM oil filters.

-B-
 
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