1967 Olds w/ slight leak

[vronline]

I'm pretty new to this site and have read a number of postings...

My Olds Cutlass (V8 330, 105K miles) has a very slight oil leak, maybe a few drops after each time I drive it. It's been mostly stored and was driven maybe three or four times per year. I just began to drive it more regularly and would like to stop the leak. I have tried a can of engine stop leak and have driven it a few hundered miles, but it's still persisting.

I believe it has mainly been getting 10W30 Pennzoil. I was planning to try a High Mileage oil as well (Mobil or Valvoline), but from reading other postings am not sure whether people are getting good results. It sounds like Havoline is a little thicker than most oils, so I was wondering if that might help? ...especially in their HM?

Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[michaelc80]

Where's it leaking from? If it's something simple like a pan or valve cover gasket then I would simply replace the faulty gasket. If it's something a bit more complex such as the rear main you can try different oils or a product such as Auto-RX to see if you can get it to seal.

Keep in mind that the only fix for a damaged gasket is replacement.

 

[vronline]

I can't really tell where it's coming from, but it's in the area of the main. It's definitely not the pan or valve cover.

I have never tried Auto-RX. That may be an option if the High Mileage oil doesn't do the trick. Will look into that more. Thanks.

 

[michaelc80]

Make sure if you do decide to try it follow the directions on their website for oil leaks. If it is possible to correct it without replacing it AutoRX is the product that will do it.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

Great car!

If that's the original rear main seal, I think they were made of some asbestos-type rope material. I have never seen anything about how Auto-Rx would affect that type of seal.

If the rear main is leaking and you get involved enough to fix it, check out a company called BOP Engineering. They have neoprene rear main seals for traditional Buick, Olds, and Pontiac engines.

 

[pharmer]

Rhymingmechanic, I just bought one of the seals that you mentioned. It is made by BOP (Buick, Olds., Pontiac) and is a product called Viton. Supposed to be WAY better than the old rope seal. I hope it is, cause it cost $42.00! I'm rebuilding a 67' Pontiac 400 motor for a 67' GTO and everyone says the Viton seal is the way to go. Time will tell.

 

[vronline]

Do you think there's any way the High Mileage oil by itself would correct the problem?

Looks like the Auto-RX is a good product from what I've read on BITOG. Can I get it at any auto parts store?

[ January 07, 2006, 01:04 AM: Message edited by: vronline ]