squatting dog
We don't have as far to go, as we've already been
- Location
- Arkansas, and also Florida
I had a slight oil leak at the rear of the engine in my Chevy. Determined it was the rear main seal, Since I already had the transmission out, I went ahead and pulled the engine, bought a seal and new gasket (Fel Pro blue) and fixed the leak... or so I thought.
Took the car out and now had leaks from front and rear of the engine. I blamed the chrome oil pan as it's aftermarket and they have been known to be prone to leakage due to poor fit. Pulled the engine (2nd time) and bought a brand new cast aluminum oil pan. (and another new Fel Pro gasket).
Another trial run and... you guessed it, bad leak. (this time from the front only. Gasket was pucking out after tightening the pan bolts. (sigh) Out comes the engine, (3rd time) now, I'm thinking maybe the gasket is defective. So, I buy a different brand gasket. (highly recommended Mr Gasket Grey).
Install engine and test run. Arrrggg... leaking out the front and still, pucking out the gasket.
Pulling my hair out.
Pull the engine again. (4th time) This time, I stick it on the stand. (not going back until I figure this out).
Thinking maybe the chrome timing cover is to blame, so, I pull the balancer and the cover. While looking to replace it, I see that it's a genuine Chevy part, so, Probably not the problem. replace the front seal since I had the cover off.
Sitting in the garage studying all I have done, when, Suddenly I realize that I've tried all possible combinations except one. Bolt the chrome timing cover back on, lay the grey gasket in place and put the chrome oil pan back on. What do you know... a perfect fit. Stick the engine back in and test ride. Yay... no more oil leak. All this time I spent blaming other parts when, all the time, it was that miserable Fel Pro blue gasket.
An expensive lesson to be sure.
Fel Pro blue gasket 66.99 + tax X 2 = 140
Mr Gasket grey 75.00 + tax
Cast alum. pan 200.00 + tax
6 qt. Valvoline VR1 40 wt racing oil $40.00 for 6 qts. X 4 = $160
total so far $575 plus all my time.
Took the car out and now had leaks from front and rear of the engine. I blamed the chrome oil pan as it's aftermarket and they have been known to be prone to leakage due to poor fit. Pulled the engine (2nd time) and bought a brand new cast aluminum oil pan. (and another new Fel Pro gasket).
Another trial run and... you guessed it, bad leak. (this time from the front only. Gasket was pucking out after tightening the pan bolts. (sigh) Out comes the engine, (3rd time) now, I'm thinking maybe the gasket is defective. So, I buy a different brand gasket. (highly recommended Mr Gasket Grey).
Install engine and test run. Arrrggg... leaking out the front and still, pucking out the gasket.
Pulling my hair out.
Pull the engine again. (4th time) This time, I stick it on the stand. (not going back until I figure this out).
Thinking maybe the chrome timing cover is to blame, so, I pull the balancer and the cover. While looking to replace it, I see that it's a genuine Chevy part, so, Probably not the problem. replace the front seal since I had the cover off.
Sitting in the garage studying all I have done, when, Suddenly I realize that I've tried all possible combinations except one. Bolt the chrome timing cover back on, lay the grey gasket in place and put the chrome oil pan back on. What do you know... a perfect fit. Stick the engine back in and test ride. Yay... no more oil leak. All this time I spent blaming other parts when, all the time, it was that miserable Fel Pro blue gasket.
An expensive lesson to be sure.
Fel Pro blue gasket 66.99 + tax X 2 = 140
Mr Gasket grey 75.00 + tax
Cast alum. pan 200.00 + tax
6 qt. Valvoline VR1 40 wt racing oil $40.00 for 6 qts. X 4 = $160
total so far $575 plus all my time.