Can oil leak from the bottom of the heads on a 4.3?

[brsox88]

Yeah it goes into the oil pan on the right side, with the oil pressure sender there. Its the same oil pan from the last engine, so I'd assume the plug is there.

 

[Bt Doctur]

The plug goes into the block Some engines have the hole on both sides of the engine , the unused hole gets a plug

 

[Bondo]

so I'd assume the plug is there.

Ayuh,.... The oil pressure sender is on the portside of the motor,...

'n never, ever assume anything,....

 

[brsox88]

Where is this plug/hole? In the center of the block below the exhaust manifolds? And yeah sorry, oil sender is above the pan dipstick hole.

 

[Bt Doctur]

 

[Bt Doctur]

So did you determine what the trouble is?

 

[brsox88]

I took it out today and it was leaking pretty good when the oil is hot and when its high RPM's. If it were leaking from that hole, would it be a constant leak? It's also spraying it onto the side, so its got to be something spraying once the RPM's get high enough. I felt for that hole, but couldn't see if there was something in there to block it cause it was too dark. I plan to take a better look when the valve cover arrives.

 

[Bondo]

I plan to take a better look when the valve cover arrives.

Ayuh,... How 'bout takin' a very close look, while it's actually leakin'/ sprayin',..??..??

Have somebody else drive the boat, while you Look,....

 

[Lou C]

I think you may need to remove the exhaust manifold on that side to get a good look at the bottom/rear area of the valve cover. You should figure out that leak at the riser anyway. Drain the manifold first, then remove....

 

[Bt Doctur]

or post some clear pics under the manifold and at the oil pan/block gasket area

 

[brsox88]

No Title

So I finally got down in there and took some pics. I found the hole you were talking about and am able to stick a small screwdriver all the way down into the hole in the first picture. Its not threaded though so I'm not sure what is supposed to go there. I am hoping this is where the oil leak is coming from? Last picture there is a oil absorbent mat I put there so you can see exactly where the oil is spraying.

 

[Bt Doctur]

You can install a dipstick there or the plug.
https://www.summitracing.com/search/...part-type/plug

 

[brsox88]

The reviews say its pretty difficult to install, especially if you have the engine installed already in the car/boat. I'm not sure ill have the room to swing a hammer and probably a small socket needed to press the plug into that hole. Is it not possible to just use like a rubber cork like this? http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-2-in-x-5-16-in-Black-Rubber-Stopper-808188/204273762

 

[Bt Doctur]

Remove the exaust riser and manifold for access.using a drift.solid rod, rebar, drive the plug flush
Plain old rubber and oil dont usualy go good together

 

[Bt Doctur]

As the late, Great DonS used to say
"Why is there never time to do it right, but always time to do it again"

 

[brsox88]

Ok I'll try this, but I am worried this is not the fix. I read the hole is not pressurized so other than oil maybe splashing out, I don't see how it could cause oil to spray all the way to the side and up into the exhaust manifold.

 

[Bt Doctur]

You have a hole in the engine block near the crankshaft pointing upwards . Oil and oil mist are spun to create a mist and oil droplets. At rpm and with some blow-by this creates crankcase pressure .It is the vapor/smoke you see coming out of the valve cover.Usually its the only place for the pressure to go unless there is another opening in the block. A un-used dipstick hole for instance..
Another sizeable leak occurs if you forget the dist base gasket or if there is a hole/leak in the end rails of the block where the intake manifold goes.

 

[Bondo]

I read the hole is not pressurized so other than oil maybe splashing out, I don't see how it could cause oil to spray all the way to the side and up into the exhaust manifold.

Ayuh,.... The inside of a crankcase is a very violent place,.... Stuff flys all over,...

Especially through holes that aren't supposed to be there,....

 

[brsox88]

Just wanted to update this and say its been fixed. Thanks for all the help and especially btdoctur who recommended the oil dipstick hole. I plugged it with a rubber cork coated in black utra gasket maker and then put a bunch all over the outside to ensure it never slipped back out. Had it out for over 2 hours the other day and not a single leak.

 

[Lou C]

Nice, glad it was a simple solution.....