TKR 88 GTA

Hey guys so I never had a problem with the oil leak till I made a 700 mile drive up here to Denver. Now my car leaks oil crazy. It's getting annoying because I think I tried a couple alternatives so I am coming here.

I got a 88 gta trans am with the 350 I swapped out the intake and heads with the HSR and the the AFR 1040s. My suspected area is the back of my intake manifold. I used the del pro 1205 gasket kit the first time with the swap I never had an oil leak before and didn't have a leak after till about 5000 miles later... I threw the cork gasket that came with the 1205. I was file that would be my leak so I took off the intake used the same part numbers but instead of.cork gaskets I used the gasket maker silicone. Didn't fix the problem. So next they told me I yes the wrong one I then bought the black rtv silicone and put good sized bead across. I still see oil coming from the back of the intake manifold and I know its killing performance too.

Is the 1205 gasket the wrong one or am I doing something wrong? Someone told me its my rear main seal as well but I think it could possibly be the back of the intake manifold that's dripping down on the case and finding its way to the seal.

RFmaster

In the back of the china wall, slightly toward driver side, there is oil galley port (1/8" NPT) - it is tied directly to oil filter output port. If you have anything coupled there - oil pressure switch or sending unit - that might be the source of your leak. The second oil galley plug is covered by driver side head gasket and almost never an issue unless machine shop removed it and installed replacement poorly.





Otherwise, after building numerous SBC I have a very large collection of china wall gaskets. The Ulta Gray (or black) gasket maker RTV is the only way to go.

//RF

TKR 88 GTA

Ok I do have that sending unit right there but if it is that could that cause a leak a roughly 2 qts a week? That's how bad my leak is right now. And if so what is the best way to seal up that port? Because I know that ur not suppose to use thread sealer on that, right?

RFmaster

The China wall leak would not leak 2 qt per week - there is no engine oil under pressure in that area on the other side of the china wall. It can be argued that there is crank case pressure, but the amount of oil is rather small. Leaks formed at the back of the china wall most of the time are rather small, more of the nuisance variety. On the other hand oil port has engine oil at 20 PSI at idle and up to 60 PSI during highway cruise! Guess what it will leak if only a few threads are screwed in. I use teflon tape to get additional seal on the sensor thread - although some frown at it this practice. Another good thread sealant is made by Loctite - part # 30534 Thread Sealant w/PTFE.
A cracked sending unit can also leak like sieve. If it leaks this bad you should be able to see it at idle, especially when engine is cold. Get one of those inspection mirrors on the stick to see what is actually is leaking. Although there is a dizzy and spark plug wires in the area you should be able to see the gusher! Good luck

//RF

89rs454

My oil sensor is leaking about a half quart a month, i'm about to put thread tape around it because i don't think they did that factory? 2 qts a week is way out of hand, i would look at the sensor. Or the rear seal.

TKR 88 GTA

Well out of the last times I have checked, it doesn't leak untill after it gets to about 120 degrees. Then if u go under u can see the oil dripping down the case from wat looks like the valve covers but it isn't the valve covers n dripping down to eventually the floor. From wat I can see I can't see no oil coming from the rear main seal. I'll take another look at the sensor when I don't have work and its not snowing.

RFmaster

Rear main seal is below valve covers, so it is unlikely that is a source of the leak. However, cracked oil sending unit that starts leaking once engine comes up in temperature is a very good possibility. As always - seeing is believing.

//RF

TreeFiddy

Degrease the engine thoroughly and start looking again real quick, to catch the very start of the leak. Start at the top of the motor.

Not burning it are you? No blue smoke? I had an old Datsun once that did about 2 litres (about 2 quarts) every 50km or so. That was a smoke show to behold!

TKR 88 GTA

Definitely not burning it lol if I'm driving and stomp on the gas it'll smoke because it falls on the exhaust. And when ever I stop I leave a puddle of oil on the ground.

I bought 2 cans of degreaser so ill soak that stuff with it then hit the car wash too lol how do u know if its actually the sending unit leaking or the threads not sealing? Would it be visible? Or is it internal leak?

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

You will have to clean it, run the engine with the hood open an LOOK for the leak.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Description sounds like the OPSU.

Do the quarter car wash thing in that area, being careful not to hit the distributor, and use the visual inspection while running method.