I have a leak at the oil pan.

[ALIENATED]

The leak is at the rear of the oil pan . There appears to be oil or some other thick viscous fluid leaking from the two weep holes on the bell housing.

At first, I thought that it was an oil leak due to loose oil pan bolts as there was what appeared to be oil on some of the bolts on the oil pan. The oil is due for a change, so I cleaned the area, changed the oil and drove the car for about 30 minutes.

Sure enough, the fluid is at the rear of the oil pan again, however it seems to be more viscous and darker. Again, I just changed the oil earlier today, so I am not certain that this is oil unless it is residual old oil from the inside of the oil pan.

At any rate, it seems to be coming from the weep holes on the bell housing and the fluid has splattered onto the pre-cats and the oil pan bolts.

Any ideas? I am wondering if it is a gasket? Clutch? Flywheel? I'm lost. I have never had a serious leak on ANY of my cars and most certainly not the Vette, so YES, I am worried.

Any advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated as usual. It is a 2000 by the way. Thanks, folks.

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,

Check your clutch fluid to make sure its not that.

Also, the torque on the 2 rear oil pan bolts is only 106 in lbs, so be cautious on that.

There have been issues with the rear cover/crankshaft seal under the flywheel.

To get a better idea, I would remove the cats and take the clutch sight plate down and evaluate further to be accurate with the diagnostics.

Allthebest, c4c5

[ALIENATED]

Well, I will check the clutch fluid as that is a start for certain. As for the torque on those bolts on the pan...I tightened them with an large torque wrench (begins at 10 FT/LBS.) and was not successful. I ended up just tightening them down securely - by my estimates - which I now feel may not have been the best idea. I will purchase a smaller torque wrench in order to achieve the 106 IN/LBS. I do not suspect that I stripped anything, however I have a hunch that they are overtightened at this point.

As for removing the cats to access the clutch sight plate: This is something that can be easily done it seems, right? Just lift the car, release a few bolts on the cats and I should be good. I think I need to go ahead and order the service manual whereas I will no what the hell I am looking at and at least have an idea as to how to fix an issue even if I am not capable of performing the fix.

Thanks, C4C5...I will get under there and see what I can do. In the meantime, do you see any major risks in driving the car? The leak is slow and has never contacted the ground anywhere.

[ALMSGT1]

You might want to add one fluid ounce of fluorescent dye, part number 88861206, to your oil. If you use a UV light and contrast goggles the leak will appear as bright yellow.

[ALIENATED]

Hmm, very interesting, ALMS. I assume the dye will hurt the engine componentry none whatsoever, otherwise you wouldn't make the suggestion. I am just curious as how such a small amount of the dye could disperse through 6.5 quarts of oil. My guess is that this does work, however I just find it to be amazing that the dye - and such a small amount at that - could mix with all of the oil. I am going to try this...I can get the light and the goggle as Lowe's, I suppose.

[c4c5specialist]

hi there,

Exactly, lowes has a good set.

And the dye in the oil works VERY WELL!!!

Allthebest, c4c5

[ALIENATED]

Guys,

I checked the clutch fluid and sure enough it appeared to be jet black in color at first glance. Next, I dipped a napkin into the reservoir and at that point it was evident that the clutch fluid is more of a dark brown color, so that may be what the fluid is at the oil pan as opposed to it being oil. I have yet to get the goggles, UV light and dye, however I plan on doing so to determine with definition that I do not have an oil leak.

In the meantime, I think I need to look into getting the clutch fluid changed as I know it should not be brown...still in awe about that.

Thanks for the ideas, C4 and ALMS and I'll keep you guys posted; stay tuned and keep the input coming if you can, fellas. Thanks!

[ALIENATED]

Well, I used the "Ranger Method" to change the clutch fluid. I decided to make the switch to the DOT 4 as well. There is still the problem of the leak, however the fluid was jet black, so it needed to be changed anyway. Still at it...