Oil leak from backside of the block

[99redgst]

Alright, so my car is finally running after eight months of being torn apart. I've been dealing with a sorts of issues, coolant leaks, misfires, ect. Well the latest and greatest is an oil leak. It appears that it is coming from the backside of the block. Everything was covered in oil. I took it to work got it on a lift, three cans of brake clean and about thirty rags later it was fairly clean. Started the car and let it run for about ten minutes, no leak. I then took it out for a short drive and came back, oil was on the backside of the engine again. It is still dry up by the head so I don't think it is a head gasket. The oil is about half way up the block and down from there, the steering rack is covered with it along with the rest of the underside all the way back. There is not many places for oil to leak on the backside of the block. I don't think it is the pan gasket because the block is wet higher up. Anybody have this problem before? It only seems to leak under load and then it leaks alot. I was thinking maybe a seal dried out from sitting for so long but it seems to go all the way across the backside of the block. If anybody even has a guess, let me know. Sorry to be so long winded but I want to give all the details I can. The 60 trim is pulling like a mofo but losing a quart a day is obviosly a problem. Any suggestion is welcome. Thanks

 

[99redgst]

OK, I've done a little more investigation. The block has oil on it on the transmission side. It looks like the oil is leaking on to the cv boot and getting flung onto the block from there, so maybe it is the pan gasket. Where is the oil pressure sensor? For some reason I was thinking it was by the oil filter. Is it above the CV shaft on the backside of the block? Thats where it was on my neon(dd) it was leaking bad from there, I just thought that it might be a possability.

 

[GSXanimal]

crank seal? good luck

 

[99redgst]

Don't go saying stuff like that That is a possabillity, but wouldn't the clutch get soaked in oil too? I don't really think it would be that hard of a project. Any other thoughts?

 

[Defiant]

How about the Silent Shaft alignment access check hole.

 

[99redgst]

Never heard of the silent shaft alignment access hole. Could you please explain. I let it run for about an hour on the lift at work today but it does not leak during idle. I think I can rule out the rear main seal because it seems to have the most oil on top of the rack. Between me and the other techs at work we are clueless, that doesn't happen very often.

 

[Defiant]

There's a pipe plug on the back lower part of the block. During timing, you stick a Phillips screwdriver in there. If it goes in, it's not hitting the Silent Shaft, and the shaft is properly aligned. If it doesn't go in, the shaft has to be spun 180°. See if there's leakage around that plug.

 

[44pirate]

Silent Shaft=Balance Shaft