Author Topic: Oil leaks (Read 10877 times)

badali · « **on:** July 19, 2015, 00:39:23 »

After driving to a car show about 50 miles away today I noticed a significant amount more of an oil leak from my car when I got home. It appears to be the front and rear main seals. Looking at the EPC it looks like the rear is a rope seal and the front is a ring seal. I think this is a little beyond my capability since I can not pull the transmission or the engine by my self. What is actually involved in this job? This is the only real problem I have with the car. I had a quote a few years ago to tidy up the engine and resealing the engine could turn into a complete rebuild even though the engine runs fine. The quote was from a well known shop and they said I could easily be up to $20K because if they see any potential problems they just rebuild it.

Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ · « **Reply #1 on:** July 19, 2015, 03:34:14 »

Brad, first I recommend to confirm if the leak is engine or transmission oil. Perhaps you have done this.

There are several products on the market to add to your oil in order to stop oil leaks. First you must accept that all old cars even some new ones do leak oil. I purchased my Pagoda in May 2013 and she had minor oil leaks in both the transmission and motor. I used several products in the oil to stop leaks. Finally now after driving nearly 6000 miles in 26 months and about 600 miles this summer my oil leaks stopped.

What I am trying to tell you is first establish where the leak is coming from, then try one of the "stop leak" products, you need to drive the car a fair bit on longer drives to se results, as I mentioned my car still leaked oil last year even after a 1600 round trip I made to Williamsburg. Finally this year after driving some 600 miles so far no more leaks.

So before you put your hard earned money on the table at some shop try one of the products that have worked for people in your area or ask your mechanic. You mentioned that your engine runs well, so did mine and that is why I tried the stop oil leak product first.

My neighbor did too on a 20 year old Cadilac, when he sold it and the new owner called him later after a 300 mile drive home he said "no more oil leaks"

So there is something to be said and tried first to re activate those old rubber seals ... Try it first ... Goog luck to you!

Here check this first link and others on Google after you type it into Google ---> stop oil leaks in engine

Garry · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2015, 03:55:52 »

I have spent a lot of money over the years trying to stop oil leaks both in my Pagoda's and my Kombi’s but have come to the conclusion that the less you use the car the more likely it is to leak as the seals dry out somewhat.

So the message in the story is to use your car more often and the more often you use it the less likely it is to leak oil

Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2015, 13:32:11 »

Exactley right Mark, I mainly think that driving my Pagoda when the weather is right did the trick. The stop leak product I added to the oil may have helped who knows, mainly the seals having dried up during long storage and / or non use are the main reasons for the leaks.

In the example. Of my car, it was driven in 20 years before May 2013 only some 4,200 miles and since I purchased the car I drove her almost 6,000 miles. Most people don't believe in the stop oil leak product and they are properly right.

badali · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2015, 19:03:50 »

I have put 8000 + miles on the car since I bought it. I drive it several times a week during the summer. Before I bought the car it sat since the 1980s and had bad gas in the tank. It has always dripped since I have owned it. It seems to be at the back of the engine more than the normal drip...

jameshoward · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2015, 21:53:21 »

Where are you losing oil from? Engine or transmission? Or power steering? It's probably first worth discerning what type of oil it is, as has been said. Are you having to top up the engine oil a lot, for instance?

It's possible to spend a great deal of money fixing leaks that may be better to live with.

What engine oil are you using? I use 20W50 classic car oil in my engine (Halfords, for those in the UK) and it doesn't leak a drop. Switch to something thinner and it starts to pour out, so that's a factor for my car.

badali · « **Reply #6 on:** July 19, 2015, 23:32:49 »

I use 10 W 30. It is definitely motor oil leaking. It appears to be the crank seal front and back. The head is dry as is the upper block. The bottom of the car has plenty of oil to prevent rust.

I haven't checked how much oil I have added per miles driven...

Benz Dr. · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2015, 05:25:34 »

I would be inclined not to use 10 W 30 unless it was a full synthetic and since it leaks a lot I would not use it because of that. I use 15 W 40 most of the time with a zinc additive for good measure.

I must be working way too cheap. 20K to rebuild an engine a bit of clean up?

Mike K · « **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2015, 07:15:35 »

Quote from: Benz Dr. on July 20, 2015, 05:25:34

................................I use 15 W 40 most of the time with a zinc additive for good measure.......

+1
I'm using Liqui Moly 15W40 High Mileage & a zinc additive on my 280SL which has 128, 000 miles on the engine. It doesn't leak and the oil level stays almost constant between oil changes.
http://www.liqui-moly.de/liquimoly/produktdb.nsf/id/en_1862.html?OpenDocument&land=GB&voilalang=e&voiladb=web.nsf

Best,
Mike

jameshoward · « **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2015, 12:17:19 »

Mike,

What zinc additive do you use, or are you saying the additive is in the oil? I've wondered about adding something to my oil, even though it's allegedly got a high zinc content and has seal conditioners to prevent leaks (!), but haven't been able to find one in the UK.

JH

mmizesko · « **Reply #10 on:** July 20, 2015, 15:08:16 »

Brad,

Dollars to Doughnuts you have a leak in your crank seal, or more likely, one of the bolts that enter the block from the alternator bracket, or water pump housing. There are probably 5 thsat make their way through to the oil reservoir.

Have to take radiator out and flywheel off to get to them, but engine can stay in. Not sure about your rear leak.

Mike Mizesko
Columbus, OH

Benz Dr. · « **Reply #11 on:** July 20, 2015, 16:35:48 »

I use a zinc additive product made by Comp Cams.

tel76 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 20, 2015, 19:43:44 »

James,
You can get it from www.frost.co.uk

jameshoward · « **Reply #13 on:** July 20, 2015, 19:53:10 »

Thanks, Eric. Nice website. More ways to spend money!!

Mike K · « **Reply #14 on:** July 21, 2015, 10:20:22 »

Quote from: jameshoward on July 20, 2015, 12:17:19

Mike,

What zinc additive do you use, or are you saying the additive is in the oil? I've wondered about adding something to my oil, even though it's allegedly got a high zinc content and has seal conditioners to prevent leaks (!), but haven't been able to find one in the UK.

JH

Hi James,
I use ZDDP, which Frost UK sells as well.....

Amongst many articles I read when researching the issue of "adding Zinc", this one seems to sum things up concisely....
http://classiccars.about.com/od/maintenancetips/a/Zddp-Debunking-The-Urban-Legend-This-Motor-Oil-Additive.htm

Best,
Mike

jameshoward · « **Reply #15 on:** July 21, 2015, 12:51:23 »

Brad,

First, appologies for a seeming thread hijack. Hopefully we'll all learn something about ZDDP and oil, but I fear we've been here lots before. The oil discussion pops up from time to time on every forum everywhere. As does ZDDP. Any luck finding your leak, which is - of course - what the thread is about?

I'm going to venture into the badlands of points of view on ZDDP, but I'll start a new thread. It's time we had a good old bar room brawl on something like this!

JH

badali · « **Reply #16 on:** July 21, 2015, 13:07:39 »

Not to worry... Still a lot of good discussion about oil. I was changing the transmission mount yesterday and the oil seems to be mainly on the lower part of the front and rear of the engine. It could be coming from the large oil pan connected to the block. I'm not sure what to do about it. It seems a shame to take apart a good running car but the oil leak is getting worse.

Mike K · « **Reply #17 on:** July 21, 2015, 13:21:31 »

Brad,
You mentioned above that you're using a 10W30 oil.
Before taking anything apart, I would suggest that you do an oil change and replace the oil with a 20W50 mineral oil and see what happens. You may just find that it stops or at least slows the leaking.
You have nothing to lose....

Let us know how you get on.

Best,

Mike

mmizesko · « **Reply #18 on:** July 21, 2015, 13:34:25 »

Brad,

hate to say it, but you have more leaks than any of these additives can fix. Just suck it up and replace your seals, and seal the bolts. You will love not having any oils spots on your floor at all, and a clean block (after you degrease it). I really don't think you have to pull the engine.

Just my opinion.

Mike Mizesko
Columbus, OH

ja17 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 21, 2015, 14:50:02 »

This might be a good topic for PUB 15. "Having a Leak-Free Pagoda". Any volunteers? I can offer technical assistance. Otherwise I can present this topic.

badali · « **Reply #20 on:** July 21, 2015, 15:21:18 »

If you would like to use my car for the topic and repair let me know. I would be glad have it used and I'll pay extra to have you as the expert to repair it before or after PUB.

This is one repair that I think I would be in over my capability to try myself.

mmizesko · « **Reply #21 on:** July 22, 2015, 16:21:36 »

Joe,

Great idea. Leak Free Pagoda!!!! Who wouldn't be interested in that?

Mike Mizesko
Columbus, OH

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Author Topic: Oil leaks (Read 10877 times)