Nate86

Alright, here's the car:

1985 Trans Am
5.0L 305ci LG4
Completely stock
No exhaust after cat (rusted off)
Smokes on start up every now and then
Leaks coolant (haven't figured out where from, though)

Now onto the questions:

1) I just did an oil change today and when the oil was draining into the catch pan I smelt the very distinct smell of gas. After all the oil had drained into the pan, I took a whiff of it and it reeked of gas as I had thought. What could be causing gasoline to get into the oil? (I had this problem once before when I first bought the car, but I took it to a shop cause I didn't know anything about cars and they "fixed" it)

2) I am losing coolant at an unacceptable rate. I got up underneath the car to see where it was leaking from, and the entire lower radiator hose was green and also whatever is above that (I'm guessing the water pump) was green as well. I changed the coolant a long time ago and someone told me I had to put "sealing tablets" in or the water pump would start leaking (I never put the tablets in though). Is my water pump on it's way out?

3) Can someone give me info on some quality fuel lines and fittings? After taking a look at the fuel pump, I noticed that the rubber lines are looking pretty bad and it's scaring me to think they might break at any minute when I am driving. I don't want to replace them with more rubber lines because the same thing will happen (they will get old and dryrot until breaking).

4) The underside of my engine and transmission both seem to have an usually large amount of sludge on them. Is this a sign of a bigger problem? The car does not appear to leak oil.

Thanks for any help.

RB83L69

1. Fuel pump

2. Your water pump is fornicated. You already figured that out. What other question do you need answered? Just get a new one and be done with it. Don't waste your time on the tablets; if the pump leaks, it will soon start making loud and obnoxious noises, and soon after that, parts will fly out. Just fix it right and put it behind you.

3. There are no rubber lines, except for the 8" section that goes from the frame to the fuel pump. If some hack put rubber line between the pump and the car, GET IT OUT OF THERE, and replace it with a steel line like the factory put there. Rubber lines always burst and leak fuel, LOTS OF IT, FAST. Fuel burns. Car fires are notoriously hard to put out, and burned-up cars are notoriouly difficult to bring back from the dead.

4. If there's "sludge" on the underside of the motor, then it leaks oil. That is, by definition, the "appearance" of leaking oil. Most likely it's from the valve covers. Replace the valve cover gaskets, and stragithen the sealing flange of the VCs when you do it, so that the new gaskets have a chance to seal; and don't over-tighten the VC screws.

Vader

And get a fiber-composition or silicone gasket pair. Don't use cork if you can avoid it.

Nate86

So without a doubt it would be the fuel pump putting gas in the oil? What would cause it do do that?

EDIT: I know the last question kind of made me look like an idiot because of they way I typed it, but I meant I've never seen it drip oil and I haven't even needed to top it off before an oil change. My bad.

rlrepitman

The diaphram inside the pump is leaking because of a crack or puncture in it, which allows fuel to pass into the engine crankcase and contaminate the motor oil.

Nate86

Thanks for the help.