Another #$%^!@ oil leak! - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

tccrab · 01-11-2009

$%^&!!!

The weather was unseasonably nice today so I took girlfriend out for a little tire rubber removal.

When I backed her out of the garage, I noticed a 8 or 9 inch diameter oil stain on the floor.

From the position of the puddle on the floor, it's coming from the right front (passenger side) of the motor. Too far forward to be the oil pan, besides couple of months ago I tightened all the oil pan bolts. I'm guessing either the oil pressure sending unit or the oil cooler lines.

Won't know for sure until I get her up on the jack stands.
Bummer.
The good news is that even though she's got a leak, she can still fry the hides with the best of 'em.

There's a little less rubber on the rear tires and a nice pair of extra wide black marks on my favorite street.

TomC
"Crabs"

ZZZZZR1 · 01-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tccrab

$%^&!!!

The weather was unseasonably nice today so I took girlfriend out for a little quick tire rubber removal.

When I backed her out of the garage, I noticed a 8 or 9 inch diameter oil stain on the floor.

From the position of the puddle on the floor, it's coming from the right front (passenger side) of the motor. Too far forward to be the oil pan, besides couple of months ago I tightened all the oil pan bolts. I'm guessing either the oil pressure sending unit or the oil cooler lines.

Won't know until I get her up on the jack stands.
Bummer.
The good news is that even though she's got a leak, she can still fry the hides with the best of 'em.

There's a little less rubber on the tires and a nice pair of extra wide black marks on my favorite street.

TomC
"Crabs"

Tom,

I had an oil leak and it was just from a mechanic NOT tightening the bolts on the Cam Cover...

I doubt it is that easy for you, but thought I would put it out there.

Cheers

David

tccrab · 01-12-2009

Just in from the garage, girlfriend is up on jack stands and I sure hope I'm wrong about the source of the leak.
It's definitely from the right front of the motor, not the oil pan.
The drips are coming from under the lower control arm area.
The radiator hose is wet as is the top of the mono spring so the oil is coming from somewhere above. There are two oil sensors, one under the oil filter and another in front and to the left of the oil filter. They both appear to be dry, but honestly, it's really hard to tell. There's no room to get a hand in there, especially the one under the oil filter.
There's crud around the oil cooler lines, a smoking gun for sure. I've wiped away the gunk with paper towels and tomorrow after work I'll fire her up and run her until she's warm. Then I'll clean the area again, if there's a leak there it should be obvious.
So, I guess the question of the hour is, what do I do if it's the oil cooler lines? The lines themselves look OK, I didn't seen any cracks in the rubber. Would it do any good if try tightening the fittings at the block? I guess it could be coming from where the metal ends are crimped on the hoses, if that's the case then I guess I'm screwed. I seem to recall that the oil cooler hoses are "Unobtanium" these days.
Ideas? Anybody got any good tips?

TomC
"Crabs"

tomtom72 · 01-12-2009

You are proly correct as the factory TSB on the cooler lines was for isssues at the crimp fittings. If you can find Ron, aka cuisenartvette, he had a line on a place to re-manufacture/rebuild those lines local to him in CA.

Although, it could be that luck is with you and it's just that the connections at the block are loose or one of those senders are leaking?

I would think if you could find a Heavy Equipment repair shop they might have a lead as to making up/ or repairing our lines? I was thinking that someday I would try to make up a set of lines in Aero-quip s/s but the connection at the cooler has me stumped, no threads at that end.

tom

cuisinartvette · 01-12-2009

Hi Tom.

Orme Bros racing in Northridge Ca.
Phone: (818) 885-1414.
They can make up about any line you can think up, they have done good work for me.

tccrab · 01-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuisinartvette

Hi Tom.

Orme Bros racing in Northridge Ca.
Phone: (818) 885-1414.
They can make up about any line you can think up, they have done good work for me.

Ron:

Thanks for the lead on plumbing. I may need their services if I can't find what I want locally.

A little research popped up this little gem from Tyler Townsley:

Another little know reality is the worthlessness of the oil cooler system. There is a thermostat like device that prevents any meaningfull oil being circulated through the cooler until the oil gets to over 240+ deg. by then it is really too late to help. So if you are looking to address cooling the oil you have to do something about this 'thermostat' first.

Tyler

After reading this tidbit my solution is clear.
Bye Bye oil cooler and stupid $350 pipes!!

TomC
"Crabs"

01-11-2009	#1
tccrab Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Folsom CA Posts: 1,661	Another #$%^!@ oil leak! $%^&!!! The weather was unseasonably nice today so I took girlfriend out for a little tire rubber removal. When I backed her out of the garage, I noticed a 8 or 9 inch diameter oil stain on the floor. From the position of the puddle on the floor, it's coming from the right front (passenger side) of the motor. Too far forward to be the oil pan, besides couple of months ago I tightened all the oil pan bolts. I'm guessing either the oil pressure sending unit or the oil cooler lines. Won't know for sure until I get her up on the jack stands. Bummer. The good news is that even though she's got a leak, she can still fry the hides with the best of 'em. There's a little less rubber on the rear tires and a nice pair of extra wide black marks on my favorite street. TomC "Crabs" Last edited by tccrab; 01-11-2009 at 09:06 PM.

01-12-2009	#3
tccrab Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Folsom CA Posts: 1,661	Re: Another #$%^!@ oil leak! Just in from the garage, girlfriend is up on jack stands and I sure hope I'm wrong about the source of the leak. It's definitely from the right front of the motor, not the oil pan. The drips are coming from under the lower control arm area. The radiator hose is wet as is the top of the mono spring so the oil is coming from somewhere above. There are two oil sensors, one under the oil filter and another in front and to the left of the oil filter. They both appear to be dry, but honestly, it's really hard to tell. There's no room to get a hand in there, especially the one under the oil filter. There's crud around the oil cooler lines, a smoking gun for sure. I've wiped away the gunk with paper towels and tomorrow after work I'll fire her up and run her until she's warm. Then I'll clean the area again, if there's a leak there it should be obvious. So, I guess the question of the hour is, what do I do if it's the oil cooler lines? The lines themselves look OK, I didn't seen any cracks in the rubber. Would it do any good if try tightening the fittings at the block? I guess it could be coming from where the metal ends are crimped on the hoses, if that's the case then I guess I'm screwed. I seem to recall that the oil cooler hoses are "Unobtanium" these days. Ideas? Anybody got any good tips? TomC "Crabs"

01-12-2009	#4
tomtom72 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL USA Posts: 4,609	Re: Another #$%^!@ oil leak! You are proly correct as the factory TSB on the cooler lines was for isssues at the crimp fittings. If you can find Ron, aka cuisenartvette, he had a line on a place to re-manufacture/rebuild those lines local to him in CA. Although, it could be that luck is with you and it's just that the connections at the block are loose or one of those senders are leaking? I would think if you could find a Heavy Equipment repair shop they might have a lead as to making up/ or repairing our lines? I was thinking that someday I would try to make up a set of lines in Aero-quip s/s but the connection at the cooler has me stumped, no threads at that end. tom __________________ 1990 ZR-1, Black/grey, #2233, stock. ZR-1 Net Reg Founding Member #316 & NCM member

01-12-2009	#5
cuisinartvette Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Fernando Valley, CA. Posts: 896	Re: Another #$%^!@ oil leak! Hi Tom. Orme Bros racing in Northridge Ca. Phone: (818) 885-1414. They can make up about any line you can think up, they have done good work for me.