[VaSteve]

While I have the engine out (see help section) I plan to address the age-old question: where the hell is all my oil going? Well, that that is not burning off. I have noticed a number of small leaks (shocker!) that have gotten progressively worse over my year of ownership/drivership.

The car did maybe 15K miles over 10 years before I bought it and I did 5K* last year with one HPDC and progressively rougher (faster higher revs) driving as I got more comfortable with not swinging out the ass end end running off the side of the road. So I'm not terrible surprised that stuff has started to shake loose.

When I got back from the open lift day Saturday, it appeared that my driver's side heat exchanger was bathed in oil, so I'm pretty sure that the valve cover is doing its assigned duty of leaking. OK, because it's coming off anyhow for a valve adjustment. It also appears that there is some leakage from the d/s timing chain cover. I have noticed wetness on other locations as well (center of case), but I can't tell if it started there or just "rolled downhill."

I plan to do some cleaning over the next couple of nights to then drive and assess exactly where the oil is coming from.

So I have basically 2 questions:
- What else should I test or look for while the car still drives as a potential repair candidate?
- Unless I run into a busted head stud, I don't plan on a tear down because I have I limited budget. What leaks can I fix without a tear down and machine work? (I read Wayne's book, but of course he's interested in selling things so ony seems to mention items that will reslt in a purchase from him ) Can I address chain covers w/o machine work or a major hassle?

Many thanks!



*Yes, Pari, I know I don't drive it enough.

[Jim Richards]

I'm not so sure it's leaking from your chain box covers. I would first look at the oil lines feeding the cam towers. If you end up replacing these lines, make sure you purchase new crush washers. Also, it'll be a great time to put in the cam line restrictors. While your engine is out, you'll probably find that the oil breather gasket needs replacing, as does the thermostat o-ring and the sealing ring for whatever sensor it is in that area (oil press or temp???). You may also have leakage from your oil return tubes. My suggesstion is to clean the engine the best tou possibly can while it's still in the car and then add the dye to your oil so it's easire to locate the source(s) of leakage. Check with Greg (or others) to find out more about this dye and where to buy it.