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Gufshoz

Gufshoz

Member
I recently backed my A out of the garage and let it warm up for about 15 minutes to do a compression check. The spot I parked in has a slight, 5-10 degree, down-slope. When I moved the car back into the garage there was a puddle of about 1/4 cup of oil where I had been. Occasionally, she spots the area where I park, but never this amount. The oil level was normal, at the top mark on the dipstick. Question: do I have a leaking rear main or could I have the oil level too high?
P.S.: a friend and fellow club member tells me that I am my own worst enemy because I'm always looking/imagining something being wrong.
 
1/4 cup of oil makes quite a "spot". Don't add any oil, just keep a close eye on the level. If the leak slows down as the level drops, then keep the oil at that level. It won't hurt to run the engine half way down the stick, or even a bit lower as long as you keep a close eye on it. Of course, parking on a slope definitely will make a difference. Try it on level ground and see how it goes.
 
I think the answer to both your questions is yes.

A little excess rear main clearance can/will cause a leak if oil can get to it. Not all dipsticks are created equal along with a couple other issues, so, oil level is usually a guesstimate. Usually it will seek its own level.
 
10 degrees is quite a slope. There is an application on your iPhone to measure the slope for an accurate measurement. 10 degrees would lower the rear of the engine by about 3 inches, in effect raising the oil level by 3 inches. Try the same thing on level ground to see if there is a real problem.
 
The crankcase oil level is usually about midway between the L & F marks on the dipstick. Yours is overfilled. Also, transmission oil leaks out of the same place because the shaft bearing is not sealed.
 
Gufshoz said:
I recently backed my A out of the garage and let it warm up for about 15 minutes to do a compression check. The spot I parked in has a slight, 5-10 degree, down-slope. When I moved the car back into the garage there was a puddle of about 1/4 cup of oil where I had been. Occasionally, she spots the area where I park, but never this amount. The oil level was normal, at the top mark on the dipstick. Question: do I have a leaking rear main or could I have the oil level too high?
P.S.: a friend and fellow club member tells me that I am my own worst enemy because I'm always looking/imagining something being wrong.
Click to expand...

I would listen to your friend.

Enjoy.
 
Babbitt? When did you last drop the pan to check clearances? If the tube from the rear cap to a point below the pan's oil level is compromised or blocked you will get a lot of oil past that rear slinger.
 
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