I have a 95 chevrolet 1500 5.7 liter truck that has a oil leak that looks like it might be coming from the oil pan, but its really hard to tell. It's not a lot of oil leaking from it so it's really hard to tell where it is coming from. My question is should I just replace the oil pan gasket or is it possible that it is coming from other places and if so where? I also have oil that sits on top of block under the air filter around where the valve cover is on the driver side and have already replaced the valve cover gasket which did not fix the problem and was wondering if anyone had any ideas for me. Thanks!

2/7/2007 3:41:04 PM

Thoroughly clean the areas in question w/ a rag, check back a day later to get a better idea of where the leak is? If it's just a little bit of oil, I wouldn't bother replacing the oil pan gasket. I'm not sure about your truck in particular, but check the clearance/what would need to be pulled to drop the pan. It's quite a bitch on alot of vehicles.

2/7/2007 3:52:16 PM

random thought, you could make sure the oil pan and/or valve covers are tightened correctly.

2/7/2007 4:52:53 PM

probably either the timing cover or rear main seal, fyi, you can't pull the pan in the truck

2/7/2007 5:08:49 PM

Get you a couple of spray cans of brake cleaner (I prefer Advance Auto's Wearever Gold) and spray down the oily areas really well (when the engine is cold) and let dry.

Then drive 'er. The brake cleaner removes all traces of oil, so it's really obvious as to where it comes from after that.

2/7/2007 5:13:16 PM

why do you say i can;t pull the pan in the truck

2/7/2007 11:50:28 PM

Because you got no goddamn clearance.

You gotta lift the engine off the mounts.

2/7/2007 11:52:51 PM

theres no clearance clarence

degreaser and pressure washing works ok too, if you know what your doing. steam cleaning is where its at. hotsi ftw.

2/8/2007 1:02:43 AM

im not trying to judge any of your comments but im pretty positive i can take the oil pan off without having to take the motor off its mounts from the way i looked at it

2/8/2007 1:06:59 AM

i have no idea what you truck looks like, ive never messed with a chevy, but even if you could unbolt it and drop it down an inch or so, you have to take into account that stuff hags down into it, so it has to come down pretty far

is it a one piece rear main on these things? all i know about are 4.slows, im dumb


6 in a row, making it go, for life

2/8/2007 1:11:45 AM

it looks like a a one piece rear main assembley to me if thats what u mean??? Im not all that smart either on these things. WHat do you mean 4.slows? But Ill take another look at it tommorow to see if will come down without having to take it off the motor mounts

2/8/2007 1:21:51 AM

the only motors ive really torn into are 4.0 jeep motors, aka 4.slow, and they(at least what i have encountered) are 2 pc seals, i just wasnt sure about the chevys

2/8/2007 1:36:38 AM

ooo i got you now....well ill look into it more and see what i need to do but thanks for the info

2/8/2007 1:38:27 AM

it is a one piece rear main seal. meaning the tranny has to come off to replace it, the rear seal housing also likes to leak at the corner where it bolts to the block and the oil pans butts up against it, the front timing cover seal and both lower corners that butt up against the oil pan also like to leak. honestly, if nothing else is wrong with the engine, try some valvoline high mileage, it tends to work well on small block chevy leaks and burning oil from the valve stem seals, i don't know why, i just know it works. otherwise i would wait until at least 175,000-200,000 miles, yank the engine, slap in some new main and rod bearings, new timing chain, new oil pump, front and rear crank gasket, timing cover, rear oil seal housing, and oil pan gaskets, and drive it for another 150,000

2/8/2007 8:16:02 AM

Quote :

"the rear seal housing also likes to leak at the corner where it bolts to the block and the oil pans butts up against it"

right, right.

2/8/2007 11:01:09 AM