Oil Leak 318

[J. Cower]

Okay so this has happened 4 times now since I've got the motor running and cannot figure out why it's doing it. I check after every drive and 4 times there's been oil on my intake, under the air filter, on the hood, and on some hoses. The last time it must have blown out about 3 quarts over 150 miles. I'm thought PCV but that seems clear. Maybe valve cover gaskets? I can't recreate it in the garage to see where it's coming from. Anyone have any suggestions? Maybe I have vacuum lines hooked up wrong?

 

[mopar 3 B]

Got the motor running? Is this a newly rebuilt engine? Any vacuum leaks? Compression and vacuum readings will eliminate a lot.

 

[J. Cower]

Not rebuilt. I took it to Prom 10 years ago and that's the last time it was out of the barn.

 

[mopar 3 B]

Dried out valve cover and intake front and rear seals would be a place to start.

 

[oldbee]

I agree with 3 b.. most logical places to start with.

 

[SublimeSixpack]

Are you sure the PCV valve is working properly?

 

[J. Cower]

I thought as long as it's clear it would be fine. I can blow air through it with no resistance. The hose for it should go to the back of the carb right?

 

[mopar 3 B]

Does the valve rattle? Vacuum lifts it off its seat. Nothing should pass from the carb side when upright and disconnected.
Carb connection location would depend on the carb. If that location worked 10 years ago it should still work today.

 

[J. Cower]

I'll check the flow and put it back on. It does rattle when I take it all the way off and I can see the metal piece moving inside

 

[oldbee]

If that PCV is old, I'd replace it first and go on from there.IMO

 

[J. Cower]

I'll do that first then. Would this make my valve covers loosen up bc of the pressure. I notice that they were loose after the last two times it did this and I did retorq them

 

[oldbee]

Well I never heard of covers loosening, it sure sounds like too much crankcase pressure, change the pcv first..

 

[J. Cower]

Okay thanks. Just ordered one from Classic Industries. I'll let you guys know how it goes. Thanks for the help!

 

[J. Cower]

And then this happens....

 

[SublimeSixpack]

3 qts. is a lot of oil to lose in 150 miles!
While you're waiting for the new PCV valve I suggest you pull the existing PCV valve out of it's grommet (with engine running and vacuum hose connected from carb to PCV valve) and make sure air is being sucked through it. You'd also want to make sure the breather on the other valve cover isn't plugged.
Weird things can happen when a car sits for ten years.
Seems to me that if you wiped everything down, then with engine running held the throttle open so the engine is running at around 2800 to 3000 RPM for 30 or 40 seconds you'd be able to see where the oil is coming from.

 

[mopar 3 B]

If the crankcase is developing that much pressure your aircleaner should be getting drenched with oil. Closed crankcase system pull air from the air cleaner into the filter eliminate on the valve cover ( black thing behind the oil fill cap) when the pcv valve opens gasses are sucked from the crankcase and internal engine gasses are then burnt in normal combustion.
Never seen a breather cap with all that plumbing. We may need the year and model to proceed.

 

[J. Cower]

1971 Plymouth SSP. I think the 3 outlet oil breather was for 71 only. Air filter itself is not drenched with oil which is why I didn't think pcv at first

 

[mopar 3 B]

Rear seal on the intake normally leaks before the front side. If the back side of the block is dry change the valve cover gaskets. If not plan on changing intake gaskets also. A valve cover is going to have to come off to get the intake off anyway.

 

[BigYellaStella]

And then this happens....

View attachment 444663 View attachment 444664

Gorilla glue to the rescue! Same thing happened to Stella, same carb, same engine, same nipple! Cut it out of the hose, get a NEW hose, glue the nipple back on, get down the road

 

[J. Cower]

Could this hose be my oil leak? Seems to be spraying out of there or very close to