Oil leak help

**wnmech** · 02-13-2010, 03:15 PM

I did not if I would get more help in general or engine. My 2001 LS-1 every night will put a drop of oil on the ground. I am assuming it is probably the rear main but I dont want to deal with it until spring. What I am wanting to know has anyone tried any kind of oil additive that has sucesfully stopped a small drip?

**0rion** · 02-13-2010, 06:30 PM

most likely is the rear main but it's not unheard of for the pan gasket and the oil pressure sending unit to leak. Probably just gonna have to get under there and chase it down. I've never been a fan of those stop leak additives. If it's a beater car you're trying to sell maybe but not for something you want to keep a while and take care of.

**Smittro** · 02-13-2010, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by 0rion

most likely is the rear main but it's not unheard of for the pan gasket and the oil pressure sending unit to leak. Probably just gonna have to get under there and chase it down. I've never been a fan of those stop leak additives. If it's a beater car you're trying to sell maybe but not for something you want to keep a while and take care of.

Agree..

Additives are imho the lazy way out. Find and fix it right and forget it.. There are additives tht can have system wide effects on areas that are not the cause. Some additives can actually never be fully removed from the block even when cemically cleaned. About 15 or so years ago there was an experiment on an additive that contained grafite(sp) after a full chemical bath and a trip to a hot tank there was STILL traces of grafite in the engine block.. Some products are best left on the store shelve. They are generally imho TOO hit or miss and can create problems later down the road if there's a rebuild in order. Additives that contain solids can break free during block cleaning and become lodged in the water jackets (goes to coolant additives) creating hot spots or areas where the coolant can't flow freely.. This could be catistrophic to a fresh build..

Today modern engines have tight specs and some oil additives are just some type of oil thickener. Too "thick" and more harm can be done than good. With the tighter specs and clearances of more modern engines too thick/heavy of an oil or adding an additive could even cause bearing damage which goes without saying could also be catistrophic to an otherwise mechanically sound engine..

In my further oppy additives should never be used in a performance vehical..

**DaddySS** · 02-14-2010, 02:38 AM

Clean up underneath and then narrow down the source. It could be valve cover, sending unit, front seal, etc. Rear mainlaeks aree not all that common.

**SteveC** · 02-14-2010, 05:33 AM

Originally Posted by 0rion

most likely is the rear main but it's not unheard of for the pan gasket and the oil pressure sending unit to leak.

Another agreement, mine was a cracked oil pressure sending unit.

SteveC

**wnmech** · 02-14-2010, 12:51 PM

Thanks for the always good input. I am only 1K away from an oil change I will trace it down and will figure it out and do it right.

**Ws6islife** · 02-14-2010, 02:03 PM

i have heard of the additives clocking ur engine up if u have any small cracks the dude at autozone told me it will stick to those thinking its a leak there..