Oil dripping off of the starter.

Tom P · Jan 19, 2018

So I know my engine leaks oil like a siv (2000 K3500 7.4L), but the one thing that's got me puzzled is how there is engine oil dripping off of the starter. RH side of the engine above where a rear main would drip, and I've replaced the valve cover gaskets. I know its leaking in the front and rear mains, oil cooler lines, filter adapter etc... Those are all on the books to fix. This one has me puzzled. I felt around what I could on that side of the engine behind the valve cover and back by the distributor but nothing that was fresh. I suppose the distributor gasket could be leaking, but its a lot of oil. Usually leaves a 2-3" spot after a normal drive of a few miles.

My one hypothesis is that the flywheel cover is so full of oil that it runs out of the starter opening?

my name is alex · Jan 19, 2018

Got the same thing on my 454. Here's my thread about it http://www.gmt400.com/threads/why-is-there-fresh-oil-on-my-starter.32370/

I still haven't done anything about it the leak is so mild there's never anything even dripping onto my driveway.

Tom P · Jan 19, 2018

Next weekend I'm tearing into the top end and front end to fix a coolant and front main leak. Hopefully with more crap out of the way and a couple extra sets of eyes I can figure out where the leak is coming from. I've done the valve cover gaskets before but I'm going to do them again anyway. My oil pressure switch appears to be dry and functioning fine, but I'll check it out when I can lay eyes on it and make sure the leak isn't coming from there. Dipstick tube is a new one to me. Maybe I can pull that out and replace or reseal it.

east302 · Jan 19, 2018

Not sure how the intake sits on the 454, but could it be leaking at the back where it meets the block?

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Intimi88tr · Jan 20, 2018

I had the timing chain wear a hole in my timing cover once....any chance its just blowing around the motor?

Tom P · Jan 20, 2018

Intimi88tr said:
I had the timing chain wear a hole in my timing cover once....any chance its just blowing around the motor?

I know the front main is leaking but I don’t think it’s leaking enough to blow that much oil around the engine. I have not seen it leak much more than a drop or two while it’s running. I guess I’ll know more next weekend when I tear it apart.

As for the intake idea I don’t think it’s leaking oil there.

mike73 · Jan 23, 2018

The trans lines could have a pinhole leak and be spraying on something. If it's dirty enough, it might be hard to tell the color. Just something I thought of since I replaced some 4L80E lines recently (they weren't leaking yet, but thought it would be good to do while motor was out). Not sure if this is the most likely cause, but might be something to consider

Oil dripping off of the starter.

Tom P

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my name is alex

suckin' gas

Tom P

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east302

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Intimi88tr

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Tom P

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mike73

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