Trying to find a leak - 350

[heathbirkendahl]

Trying to find a leak and think I found it. Looking for other things to check.

1. Oil pan gasket - NEW
2. Valve covers - NEW
3. Rear main
4. Front main
5. Timing chain cover

6. Fuel pump - think this is part of it.

Im getting oil spray on passenger side. As well I found a puddle under it after start up today. (Puddle was oil that was thin and steeled like gas) The spray is really bad when using the freeway.

Ideas on what it could be? (Other then fuel pump)
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[jocko]

make sure your pcv system is functioning properly. If it is, then it's likely a valve cover or perhaps intake manifold/timing chain leak that is getting blown back onto the engine. You didn't say "where" on the passenger side - up top? Or down the passenger side of the the lower area of the block, i.e. above the oil pan, etc.

As for the fuel smell, it's possibly a gas (only) leak that is dripping down through the oil on the engine making it look like you have gas in your oil. Fuel leaks should be easy to trace - run the motor, look for leaks from fuel pump to carb and see where it takes you.

[heathbirkendahl]

Originally Posted by jocko

make sure your pcv system is functioning properly. If it is, then it's likely a valve cover or perhaps intake manifold/timing chain leak that is getting blown back onto the engine. You didn't say "where" on the passenger side - up top? Or down the passenger side of the the lower area of the block, i.e. above the oil pan, etc.

As for the fuel smell, it's possibly a gas (only) leak that is dripping down through the oil on the engine making it look like you have gas in your oil. Fuel leaks should be easy to trace - run the motor, look for leaks from fuel pump to carb and see where it takes you.

The leak is lower front right by pump. Definitely coming front the lower front. Carb and intake are dry.

Good call on gas running through oil.
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[jocko]

in that case, you may have a bad fuel pump that is leaking and then being blown back along the engine and mixing with external oil/dirt (i.e. no oil leak - unless the oil appears fresh also). It is possible you have a gas AND oil leak of course, but if both things are occurring on the lower passenger side and you see/smell gas, I'd suspect the fuel pump or leak in the fuel lines near the pump. And if your oil is fresh and in the same area, it's likely a valve cover gasket leak. Keep in mind valve covers do not need to be tightened down much at all, just enough to barely clamp the gasket - any more and it bends the sheet metal (this is why aluminum vc's don't leak as often - equal clamping pressure since they don't distort when over-tightened).

[Lee H]

There are two holes in the front boss directly in front of the fuel pump, one of them, top or bottom, goes into the cavity the houses the fuel pump rod, and is sometimes used to hold the rod while changing the fuel pump. That cavity gets oil to lube the rod and will leak oil if not plugged. It takes a short bolt, no more than an inch long, with a little sealer on it.
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[heathbirkendahl]

Jocko and Lee,

Thank you for the info. I'm going to start with a fuel pump. (and, oil change just in case) I'll look for that one inch bolt as well. I looked at it again last night and the oil that is dripping is VERY thin. Not sure if that is because its washing off the motor or if its mixed in the oil.

Thank you!!

[heathbirkendahl]

Originally Posted by Lee H

There are two holes in the front boss directly in front of the fuel pump, one of them, top or bottom, goes into the cavity the houses the fuel pump rod, and is sometimes used to hold the rod while changing the fuel pump. That cavity gets oil to lube the rod and will leak oil if not plugged. It takes a short bolt, no more than an inch long, with a little sealer on it.
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OK. I looked last night and neither bolt hole is plugged!! Any idea on what size bolt that is?

Thank you,
HB

[GASoline71]

If you're getting fuel in your oil... that can wipe out engine bearings and a camshaft in a hurry. After plugging the 2 bolt holes on the passenger side... verify that the fuel pump isn't leaking gas into the crankcase. Or you might have a flooding out carb doing the same thing.

Gas in the oil is bad ju-ju.

Gary

[heathbirkendahl]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

If you're getting fuel in your oil... that can wipe out engine bearings and a camshaft in a hurry. After plugging the 2 bolt holes on the passenger side... verify that the fuel pump isn't leaking gas into the crankcase. Or you might have a flooding out carb doing the same thing.

Gas in the oil is bad ju-ju.

Gary

No gas in the oil from what I can tell. (Just checked dip stick. Didn't smell strong) I do plan to change it though.

I'm getting oil spray on the lower front passenger side. But, I also had a big puddle of gas under the truck after it sat for week when I started it up on Sunday. Seems to spray more when on the freeway. Sound normal for a bad fuel pump?

[Tx Firefighter]

You need a 3/8-16 bolt that is 3/4 inch long threaded into the top one of the two threaded holes on the front of the block down near the fuel pump. If it's missing, you'll have one hell of an oil leak.

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by heathbirkendahl

No gas in the oil from what I can tell. (Just checked dip stick. Didn't smell strong) I do plan to change it though.

I'm getting oil spray on the lower front passenger side. But, I also had a big puddle of gas under the truck after it sat for week when I started it up on Sunday. Seems to spray more when on the freeway. Sound normal for a bad fuel pump?

I would check the fittings first. See if they need a snug. Sometimes only 1/8 of a turn on a flare nut will stop a leak. Post a pic of your fuel line setup from the pump to the carb. Could be leaking from further up the line too.

Gary

[heathbirkendahl]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

You need a 3/8-16 bolt that is 3/4 inch long threaded into the top one of the two threaded holes on the front of the block down near the fuel pump. If it's missing, you'll have one hell of an oil leak.

Well, it's missing and I have one hell of leak!

Thank you!

[heathbirkendahl]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

I would check the fittings first. See if they need a snug. Sometimes only 1/8 of a turn on a flare nut will stop a leak. Post a pic of your fuel line setup from the pump to the carb. Could be leaking from further up the line too.

Gary

I'm going to check the fittings when I'm putting a bolt in that top hole.

[Tx Firefighter]

The bolt length is critical. If it's too long, it will protrude through the hole and rub the fuel pump pushrod. Best stick to 3/4 of an inch, maybe one inch maximum. You only want it threaded into the block, not through the block.

[heathbirkendahl]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

The bolt length is critical. If it's too long, it will protrude through the hole and rub the fuel pump pushrod. Best stick to 3/4 of an inch, maybe one inch maximum. You only want it threaded into the block, not through the block.

OK! I'm going to buy the exact bolt info you sent me. 3/4 length it is.

[GASoline71]

Put a little dab of thread sealant on that bolt too...

Gary

[heathbirkendahl]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

Put a little dab of thread sealant on that bolt too...

Gary

Thank you Gary! I've been getting oil all over my engine for the last 5 months because of this. Stoked to have it fixed.

[heathbirkendahl]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

Put a little dab of thread sealant on that bolt too...

Gary

Gary,

So my block has threads but the hole does not go though.

Now I'm back at square one with hoping its the pin hole in the spitting out oil and or gas.
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