My car is leaking oil but i dunno exactly where it is coming from. its not my valve covers, oil pan, oil filter, or oil plug. i looked underneath and seems to be leaking around the torque converter..? is this possible? i overheard someone saying it may be my "rear main seal", is this located near the trq. converter? i doubt i can fix this with the tools i have, does anyone know how much it costs to get the rear main seal fixed (if this is my problem)? any other suggestions where it may be leaking? thanks.

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1992 Z28 (305) TPI.
160' stat, Accel 8mm, Accel Cap & Rotor,
Flowmaster high-flow cat-back.

 

Cliff,

Clean the engine thoroughly (it should be clean, anyway). Inspect all the likely suspect areas and wipe them dry. Check the same areas after driving for a day or two, and you should have a fairly good idea of the source.

Other than those you mentioned, the ends of the intake manifold can develop leaks. The oil leaking from the rear of the intake can run down the sides of the block and collect at the transmission inspection cover, just like a rear main seal leak. The oil presure sensor next to the distributor can also leak, and run down the same path to the cover.

If you get under the car again, remove the transmission inspection cover and check the rear seal area with a good flashlight and some clean paper towels. There isn't a lot of room between the flexplate and rear cap, but you should be able to determine which side of the flexplate the oil is leaking from, if any.

If the leak is at the rear seal, replacement involves removing transmission, flexplate, and installing the new one-piece seal. There is a possibility of the leak being at the transmission input shaft seal, but the repair would be very similar.

If anyone has experience with the aftermarket repair kit for the rear main, please pipe in.

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Later,
Vader
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"Make Me Bad"
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0

 

I will go with one of Vader's suggestions and also say, check out the intake manifold...both the rear (larger leaks) and weeping up the center bolts on the intake manifold to the head. Those are the most common sources for TPI cars.

 

thanks, i'll check those area out.

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1992 Z28 (305) TPI.
160' stat, Accel 8mm, Accel Cap & Rotor,
Flowmaster high-flow cat-back.