Oil leak

Okay STEELWEELS, get your message. is it leaking at the oil filter portion of the cooler like right above it? And what brand oil filter are you using?

Fram oil filter, but it is leaking where the adapter mounts to the block. i changed the paper gasket with the metal sandwiched between, and put an o-ring to try and seal it, and it blew again after fifteen miles.

So you pulled the filter and then removed the two cooler housing bolts 10 mm dropped it and replaced the o-ring. actually there is two that go on it. and were they dealer parts? there were several updated on the parts should be six to eight dollars. if you have air compressor at your place you could use low air to blow through the lines to check for blockages.

Yes, correct on all, dropped two bolts, moved brace away that goes to inspection pan for flywheel, was told by radiator shop not to remove lines if not needed. found a two inch piece of gasket (that is metal sandwiched by paper) on top of what looks like a screen or filter, did not find anything else. replaced this gasket (included in set) which is a Napa Victor Reinz set (gs33272), and also put the rubber o-ring on where the adapter mounts to the block. no sealer though, was not sure about that. I was told maybe pPCV valve was plugged or have back pressure somewhere. just not sure what gaskets are needed and where they go. there are different kits, Fel-Pro (es72671) but still no instructions on how to install them and which ones are needed.

Go to the dealer they will have micro film. I used on kit a few months back and there was not much in it. as i said before if you have a restriction in the line or cooler which should be your radiator that may do it, but not the PCV valve.

so does this mean i need to pull the radiator and have it shop tested? or is there a way i can do it while it is still in the truck? i do have a small compressor that i can try to blow out lines (really hate to break seals though) will try to get this done today and leave the results here. I thought maybe i could find this diagram online somewhere. need to post transmission problem on 1989 Chevrolet after i get this one done. not sure if it is transmission or torque converter.

No do not take it to the shop you can do it on the truck. look in the adapter you might have to step down some hose on you blower, but you need to replace the gaskets anyway on the adapter? i thought.

Hey CHEVYII, was just able to get to the truck today, adapter is loose and hanging, one line is off, both lines are off the radiator. when i loosened and dropped the adapter the lines spun in the connectors, is that okay? can i blow air through the holes to radiator to see if there is flow, or will this do damage? will blow lines out when off, and adapter, still no help with diagrams for gasket install, cannot tell yet what happened to the ones i put on, cannot see up there yet. thanks for the help.

everything sounds fine for now. do not blow 120 psi just bump it and see what happens. let me know on the gaskets and seals.

okay, still working carefully here to take this apart. can you help with how the gaskets go? called GM and two Chevrolet dealers, either they do not want to help or they cannot. I do not know. i am sure they just want me to take it in. I cannot afford that right now. called some small shops around here and they do not have the techno, i do not know how they could fix it then. i need a darn diagram or breakaway of this little monster, as far as putting it back together.

Go figure. i cannot pull a diagram either and i have GM software.

so how do i know how to install these correctly? to make sure i have the right ones and where they go. Also, it says to make a donation, but how do i get the money to you for the help?

are they gaskets or o-rings?

This kit has two small rubber o-rings (probably for cooler lines). One large rubber o-ring (maybe for adapter to block seal) two black paper gaskets. One has like metal sandwiched between paper (for top of screen or filter inside the adapter). One just made of paper. i installed the first time around, the gasket with the metal and the large o-ring. this is a victor reinz set part number GS33272, this is what my NAPA dealer said is the same as a FELPRO es72671.

or maybe this will help.

I think only one of the large gaskets are used. the o-ring is a block to adapter seal.

First, i was "new to forum" not it states "tech level one". what does that mean? all parts are off, paper gasket with metal middle (Oreo cookie style) was still intact, large rubber o-ring (adapter to block) had small tear on one side (my fault) after taking adapter off, found an o-ring recessed in adapter, but it looked like a square type, or is this what happens to the round one after mounting? because this is sloppy in the groove. blew out adapter and lines to radiator, no blockage, but cannot find rest of pieces from old gaskets. could they have made it to the pan or radiator?

Your leak was probably from the large o-ring. as far as the other gaskets it probably went into the filter. use some oil on the o-ring this time.

looking at the lines to the adapter, these have the screw on threaded type fittings, not the plastic snap clips, there were no small o-rings on these fittings or in the adapter. should i install these two? was debating about putting form-a-gasket on the adapter, but if you say to only use oil (like the oil filter), that is what i will try. still scratching head about possible over pressure. do not want to do this again, but we figured this was the only way to see what is going to happen. this is wife's truck, and do not want her and the kids stranded or a blown engine, you know how women are.

check inside of the adapter where the lines go and see if there is a void where the small ones go. as far as the pressure, is the PCV system okay?
Jim

i will be getting back to the truck shortly. wife and kids are up and fed. also, there is a lady (supposedly) saying husband on road, truck will not start, could you look into that one and look at my reply to see how close i am to the answer? thanks again for help. hopefully i will have this taken care of today. i am so tired of working on this thing.

your post looks fine.

CHEVYII, just wanted to give update, got the truck back together last night, did not see any voids for the small o-rings on the lines. so did not put them on, had a hard time re-installing the lines, with no room to work. let it idle in drive about twenty minutes. The temperature gauge and oil gauge looked normal. did not see any leaks underneath, but maybe a small pinhole in the top line (rubber part), not a concern to me right now. not sure if i mentioned it, but when i took off the new filter i put on and drove fifteen miles, it did not seem to have any oil in it, so i played with i guess, they are check valves in the adapter to make sure they were loose and free of obstruction to let oil through. drove about eight miles, so far so good, wife has truck at work now. will let you know more later.

Sounds good.

Thanks,
Jim

Hey CHEVYII, new update, wife just came home from work, one mile or two there, and the same home, oil on dipstick is still clear and full, no leaks found underneath, anti-freeze is still topped off, gauges look fine on dash. this is the same thing that happened before, when we needed to travel with it, it blew, i need to use it in the morning for a twelve mile trip one way. I am taking plenty of oil with me in case it blows again. i will be driving it though. if it does happen again can you give me something to look for or what to try next?

so your okay for now?
what type of filter are you using?

Jim

i am using a Fram #3980, that is what all the books call for, to me. it seems too small for this size truck. i guess a lot of my problems that i do not understand is why everything was fine for about fifteen miles, then the same thing blew again the next day, this is what concerns me of taking it anywhere, or letting her drive it. hopefully it will do okay today for the road test. if not i will be coming back with more questions.

Hi,
it could be a check valve problem in the filter. who knows. i always use Delco. the Delco are way superior filters. i have cut all kinds open and i still think Delco is better and most places cheaper than Fram.

jim

okay, here we go. The truck has to go back to barn to be looked at again. I took son to school, approximately three miles, temperature gauge where it should be (just under 200) oil press. gauge just under 30, got close to school and oil dropped to between the 15 hash mark and 30, turned off truck, came home. pressure dropped a few pounds. and came back up, probably around 20, no noises (ticking) turned off truck, smelled anti-freeze, seen steam from under hood on driver side. could not see any drips or leaks though, both sides off radiator is a little warm, but not bad. upper radiator hose was hot, lower one was warm, still have water in overflow tank. temperature gauge still shows normal. so i do not think it could be the thermostat. how bout you? am doing more checks now.

we need to find the leak. if you had steam there is a leak. also, when thermostat opens all of the way the hoses should feel the same because it is wide open. check the water pump weep hole for leaks and also the lower intake at the drivers front corner. let me know.
Jim

just wanted to let you know, so far everything looks okay as far the gauges go. no leaks yet on the oil. i am thinking the steam might be from the upper radiator hose. will try to clean and re-seal it to see if that helps. right now cannot do any more road tests on it. i just remembered this morning our plates ran out and we have been driving illegally for the past few days. she has walking pneumonia, and off work for three days and doctor bills and medicines, so we cannot get plates until next week, but i can switch plates from my Chevrolet for right now. But, could this be a temperature issue rather than too much pressure?