Oil Pan Gasket

[DaveK]

hey guys, me again

My Z has been in the shop all this week - getting the speedo corrective gear fitted - long story and I'm kind of annoyed about the length of time its taken but that's a different story.

While it was in they noticed an oil leak - I knew I had it but was waiting to get the car back to look at it. Anyway, they offerred to do a leak test to see where it was coming from and I figured they might as well, since they were under there anyway.

The outcome is that they're saying the oil pan gasket needs replacing - they checked and GM has discontinued them (Suprise!) - is there another source?

Thanks

Dave

[bobbyhi]

I think Kurt White has them in stock???

whiteracingproducts.com

[DaveK]

Thanks Bob

To be honest I'm not even convinced I need one. So far as I know all they've done is found its leaking from the pan gasket area - I doubt they've tried tightening anything up and according to the 'issues' on the registry site the pan bolts have a tendancy to work loose. So it could be just that.

[bobbyhi]

Get that thing fixed.....the 30th is just around the corner. Check your email account. Sent message awhile ago...........

[DaveK]

Get that thing fixed.....the 30th is just around the corner. Check your email account. Sent message awhile ago...........

Sure will! :-D

[Z Factor]

Thanks Bob

To be honest I'm not even convinced I need one. So far as I know all they've done is found its leaking from the pan gasket area - I doubt they've tried tightening anything up and according to the 'issues' on the registry site the pan bolts have a tendancy to work loose. So it could be just that.

Indeed, in many cases that is all that is needed.

[RedZR]

I thought I had the same problem a few weeks ago and was ready to do the gasket. However, I removed the "k" braces and removed each bolt (one at a time) and cleaned each hole and resealed the bolt. So far so good.

You might want to try this first.
Dan

[DaveK]

Thanks for the info. I asked the service manager directly when I picked it up if they had tried tightening the bolts and he informed me they hadn't (despite me telling him on three occasions that this was one of the known issues with ZR-1s.)

It seems that in their book, oil was appearing at the gasket area - so i must need a new gasket. How you can say that without even checking the gasket is beyond me. I'm going to have a look at the bolts tomorrow and see how that goes.

[tomtom72]

This may be of no use Dave, but on my 90 all the pan bolts were loose, not waaay loose but loose all the same. My car only had 7900 miles on it when I got and the oil leak sources as listed over at the mothership were what I spent some time tracking down.

Also, put this in the way outside chance department: If the tech didn't even test a bolt(s) for tightness and they said they saw oil a possible source could be the valley drain tube. If the CCVB cover bolts are loose(like mine were) it can blow enough oil fumes to make a mess on the right rear corner of the oil pan(mine did). Although by what you have described about the "checking" proceedure they would have told you you need a rear main seal.

If they said that they saw oil along the sides of the pan then it's a good bet that those center exhaust manifold bolts could be the source if the pan bolts are tight.

:cheers:
Tom

[DaveK]

Update: Some of the pan bolts were loose. Have torqued them to spec and will see how it goes. There were 2 that I couldn't get to though is that the "K Brace" RedZR mentioned? It looks like a pain to get off - don't have a lot of room under there.

[RedZR]

Update: Some of the pan bolts were loose. Have torqued them to spec and will see how it goes. There were 2 that I couldn't get to though is that the "K Brace" RedZR mentioned? It looks like a pain to get off - don't have a lot of room under there.

Dave,

Those braces (that form the "k" can be removed without having to suppport the motor or anything. Removing them is the best way to reach those bolts at the front of the pan.

Good luck!
Dan