Oil leak it seems!

[1ntercept]

Hey all. Long time no see. Just bought a 132k VX Executive 5.7 V8. Still in quite good condition, however, after doing an engine clean, fresh oil, oil filter and air filter, I parked it in the shed over night. A few days later I notice a couple of drips or oil on the floor, about 50c size?
Now I'm pretty sure it's coming from the engine to what looks like the gear box.
Any thoughts?
Cheers

 

[NeddyBear]

Are you saying it wasn't leaking before the service? if so maybe the filter was over tightened or the plug or washer is faulty.
Lay under the car and see where the drips are comming from, should be easier now with a clean engine.

 

[1ntercept]

Ok, good point. It wasn't leaking before the oil change! I'll roll it up on the stands and have a good look at it. Cheers

 

[uniacidz]

They generally leaked from the factory
Few lucky ones out there didn't

Places to look for is
Rear main seal
Valley gaskets
Rocket cover gaskets
Sump gaskets

 

[1ntercept]

Ok. I had a good look under the old girl and its dripping from the seal between the engine and gear box! Talking to some of the V8 crowd at work and they said its a notorious trait and just use thicker oil! It won't stop unless it replaced, but will slow it down. So what's the thickest I can use in an ls1?

 

[greenacc]

What oil have you been using in it ?

 

[BlackVXGTS]

Quite normal on an LS1 engine to get a leak from the oil pressure sensor, or less commonly, from the camshaft position sensor, both located at the rear top of the engine. This leak can flow down and look like it’s coming from the engine/bell housing area. The pressure sensor is easy to remove and reseal. The camshaft sensor requires the manifold to be removed. I suggest you use a small mirror to inspect the area around the sensor, spray the area around the sensor with degreaser, hose off, and see if the leak re-appears. After cleaning and drying off, you can also stick duct tape, with kitchen paper folded and attached, to the rear of the engine so that you can verify whether or not the leak is coming from the sensors. You need a 27mm deep socket to remove the oil pressure sensor.

Most people I know are using Castrol Edge Sport 10W60 synthetic on their LS1 engines, however, it's very unlikely that a thicker oil will fix your leaks.

 

[1ntercept]

It's got Nulon full synthetic 10w-40!

What oil have you been using in it ?

 

[1ntercept]

Quite normal on an LS1 engine to get a leak from the oil pressure sensor, or less commonly, from the camshaft position sensor, both located at the rear top of the engine. This leak can flow down and look like it’s coming from the engine/bell housing area. The pressure sensor is easy to remove and reseal. The camshaft sensor requires the manifold to be removed. I suggest you use a small mirror to inspect the area around the sensor, spray the area around the sensor with degreaser, hose off, and see if the leak re-appears. After cleaning and drying off, you can also stick duct tape, with kitchen paper folded and attached, to the rear of the engine so that you can verify whether or not the leak is coming from the sensors. You need a 27mm deep socket to remove the oil pressure sensor.

Most people I know are using Castrol Edge Sport 10W60 synthetic on their LS1 engines, however, it's very unlikely that a thicker oil will fix your leaks.

Thanks but I wouldn't know where to start looking but it makes

 

[1ntercept]

I'm lost with the location of the sensors and all but it's worth an investigation. Cheers