Oil leak

[D+10]

I have an oil leak on a new (under 100 miles) Shelby aluminum FE. It seems to be on the right side. The starter has oil on it and there were streaks from the back of the right valve cover so I tightened the cover and no relief. Any ideas where to focus the search.

Art D.

[double ugly]

Intake manifold? I went through this awhile back. Different circumstances but Valve cover and intake manifold were mentioned as possible causes on mine .John

[any4xx]

Either could be the culprit. If it IS the valve cover, merely tightening it won't usually stop a leak. It's a pull, re-gasket, re-install. Also, check the mating surface between the intake and the head at the valve cover rail. If the intake wasn't set properly there'll be a lip there and you'll have a heck of a time getting the valve cover to seal.

[jdog]

How bad is the leak?

You do know that all FE's leak a little, right? You wouldn't know is was and FE for sure otherwise.

It's just an accepted part of FE ownership.

Get yourself a bag of 'kitty litter' like everyone else!

Seriously, FE's are extremely hard to stop from leaking someplace. All you can really hope to do is slow it down to an acceptable level, and live with it. If it's leaking real bad, then you'll need to fix it.

Welcome to the FE club, the smell of oil burning will be part of you now!

I honestly don't know of anyone's FE engine that doesn't leak 'just a little'.

Anyone? Anyone?

jdog
P.S. That's why I painted my engine block black!

[4pipes]

I have about 800 miles on a new professionally rebuilt aluminum FE. After an hour of spirited driving I have four areas that produce a drop of oil each. Below each valve cover, one below the main oil inlet to the block and one on the bottom of the bell housing. I just raise the car up and wipe them up. Already cranked on the bolts enough! I also always have a drop on the bottom of the rearend. I can deal with a drop or two.

[FUNFER2]

If you have steel valve covers (Even Pentroofs), they will leak, where as the thicker aluminum, will not with a good gasket. If I did not have to lash my valves a couple of times per year, I would just use gaskets AND, silicone.

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

If you have steel valve covers (Even Pentroofs), they will leak, where as the thicker aluminum, will not with a good gasket. If I did not have to lash my valves a couple of times per year, I would just use gaskets AND, silicone.

Reading this post, I thought Dave got his car back. Realized the post is from 2006. Must be cabin fever in NE.

[Got the Bug]

We'll just treat this a public service announcement.

"Gentlemen, in case you haven't noticed, your FE leaks oil. Live with it and please clean up your mess."

[427 S/O]

NAPA sells thick rubber gaskets that work great, I've pulled for valve adjustment, reinstalled and 'no' leaks. When the engine is cool run your fingers around all gaskets area's, good way to pin point leak.

[FUNFER2]

Hey undy- yes, no huskin or driving my cobra. And thinking of my 482 plans, just makes it woorser (like my niece says) lol

[undy]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

Hey undy- yes, no huskin or driving my cobra. And thinking of my 482 plans, just makes it woorser (like my niece says) lol

I just got done with a 20 mile around town shakedown cruise. All system are go and the smile's still "frozen" on my face. I just had a hooded sweatshirt and a long sleeved Tee. Actually, I didn't get cold at all. Niether did the rubber on the Mickey Thompson ET Street drag radials

Dave

[lovehamr]

And where are the friggin' pictures Dave?!

Steve

[RallySnake]

I let a friend take his young daughter around the block in my Cobra. As they pulled away, someone mentioned the few drops of oil it left on the ground. I said, "Oh no it's not leaking, these cars are so mean, they just like to mark their territory".

[Ron61]

I think I would worry more if I never found some drops of oil under my FE than I would if it never leaked. It started about two weeks after the car was new in 1969 and has done so ever since despite changing everything that can be changed. Sometimes I would almost swear it comes through the block. I have used the dye and about every thing else and finally found that if I didn't worry about the drips, it is ok.

Ron

[RICK LAKE]

D+10 Dave the auto stores sell leak dye kits for about $45.00 dollars. They are easy to use. Pour the little bottle of dye in the motor, trans or what every is leaken and road test the car for about 10 miles or until fully warmed up. There is a light and glasses that will show you where the leak starts at and is located. Some valve cover leaks are from the intake that you only will find with the dye. What every sealer you use, the surfaces MUST be clean. The sealer should have a lite skin just starting to form on it and it needs a FULL 24 hours for it too setup. We all have different ways to build motors and different sealers are needed for each location. The GREY sealer is what we use where I work with full cure time allowed. Have not had any failures from doing intakes, oil pans, and heads. I use Hi-Tac on head gaskets and Grey RTV on all other locations. I use the heavy cork valve covers with them glued to the cover, I check the rockers after racing. I reuse them for a couple of years or until them are crushed. Rear main seal is the normal problem for FE motors. If you have a rope seal, it will leak. I keep cardboard under the car for this. This is part of owning a cobra. Rick L.

[FUNFER2]

Dave- You just bummed me out my friend !

Rally-"Oh no it's not leaking, these cars are so mean, they just like to mark their territory".

Rick- U da man !

[Bill Bess]

Now Now Boys! An engine is not suspose to leak..even the FE, maybe after 70 or 80 thousand miles of hard drivin they will, but normally they should not leak.
If the engine is put together right ( clean and smooth gasket surfaces), breaths correctly (pcv installed) there should be no problem.
After market stuff is alway suspect, oil pans and valve covers, if they leak all you can do is replace them gaskets and hope for no oil,.... then install that garage floor drip pan.

So far my valve cover gaskets are the only problem ( off too many times), new ones fixed it.

Keep-On Havin Fun, Bill