weird oil leak

MrTube

MrTube

Well-known member
Just drove our A after hearing complaints about it leaking oil.

It looks like it leaks oil from the rear main, or in that general area, but it mainly does it when you shut the engine off. It seems to barely leak if at all when running, but when you shut it off it leaves a nice size puddle near rear of engine, almost dead center.

Does this point to anything specific or common?
 
Model A rear main leaks seldom leak while the engine is running. They "mark their spots" when the engine is stopped.
 
So far i've only been able to observe it 3 times. Once it did it, the other 2 it did not. It did it a lot after we went cruising around and got things nice and hot.
 
Sounds like just what happened to a feller I know who swore that drain tube on the rear main cap was not needed so he left it on his bench...

Short runs were OK but on a long one he was stopping for oil about every 30 minutes.
 
Rich in Tucson said:
Sounds like just what happened to a feller I know who swore that drain tube on the rear main cap was not needed so he left it on his bench...

Short runs were OK but on a long one he was stopping for oil about every 30 minutes.
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I don't know if its that Rich. It had a 2 1/2 hour drive at highway speeds (45mph) a while back and only used 3/4 of a quart. I would think a missing drain tube would have consumed much more, no?
 
That's a lot of oil! I believe James Rogers has it right and it is time for some under the car investigation. Gar Williams
 
I agree it could be a missing oil tube. It probably was there in the beginning but could have fallen off. I could tell you how I know this can happen but, I don't think I have to. No matter what, you need to drop the pan and find the problem.
 
Make sure the oil breather cap is not blocking the oil filler tube and creating pressure that forces oil out the rear main.
 
Ok was leaking a LOT Of oil, i mean a LOT.. got under the car and there she was, pin holes in the pan....

I know it sounds weird but check it out anyway, welded up and all is good now!
 
Might pull the pan tonight.

Am I gonna hate this? Or is it not that bad of a job?

I have the cork gasket set from Snyders.
 
it takes patience to do it under the car . take your time ! check everything while your there . putting the pan back on will be the fun ! i hope you have a book . there is a screw to hold the oil pump so it doesnt fall out . not a bad job , just upside down takes patience . good luck ... steve
 
All the above things are good. Also the cork gasket on the rear of the pan is a common leak, To much oil in it can cause a leak also. Bill
 
Bill Steiner said:
All the above things are good. Also the cork gasket on the rear of the pan is a common leak, To much oil in it can cause a leak also. Bill
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You know I have to wonder. You said the gasket at the rear of the pan is a common leak.

In the spring I had a friend tighten all of the pan bolts for me as they were very loose. I swear it didn't leak before this.

I wonder if he squeezed the gasket out of the back, would it leak this bad if he did?
 
Hard to say, but it will leak at the back of the pan. It's the gasket that the pan goes at the back. The little thin cork gasket. Bill
 
My money is on James Rogers. That's exactly what mine did. Turns out rear main babbit had devloped cracks and broke. Bad babbit job by the last builder before I got the car.
 
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