A little pool of oil on intake manifold - 400ci -question

[taxreliever]

I have an Edelbrock Intake Manifold - Performer 400 and just under the carb on one side only is a little pool of oil. I felt all around and it didn't look like it came from the valve cover, but I guess it could have.

You fellas have any suggestions about where it came from and how I should address it? Tighten the valve covers?

Thanks for any help.

 

[LEB Ben]

Under the carb? As in still by the runners? That's kinda a weird place for oil to pool. But first I'd check to make sure none of the gaskets/seals have squirted out at the valve covers and the front and rear of the intake (although highly improbably it came from the intake seals). If any have squirted out, time for new gaskets. If not, just retorque the valve covers and intake. And IIRC, you have a mechanical oil PSI gauge, right? Might wanna check that line from the sending unit (rear of the block behind the intake) up to the fire wall.

 

[LEB Paul]

Clean everything really well, then drive it around the block til it gets warm (the oil will thin out and leak from where ever its leaking from), then let it run and crawl up under there and look for where its coming from.

 

[taxreliever]

Under the carb? As in still by the runners? That's kinda a weird place for oil to pool. But first I'd check to make sure none of the gaskets/seals have squirted out at the valve covers and the front and rear of the intake (although highly improbably it came from the intake seals). If any have squirted out, time for new gaskets. If not, just retorque the valve covers and intake. And IIRC, you have a mechanical oil PSI gauge, right? Might wanna check that line from the sending unit (rear of the block behind the intake) up to the fire wall.

Yes on the mechanical oil PSI gauge (one of the gauges on my cage mounts that Duncan was looking at doing....you're good, Ben....good memory. I'll check the lines for sure. Paul has a good suggestion as well....going to do that also.

Clean everything really well, then drive it around the block til it gets warm (the oil will thin out and leak from where ever its leaking from), then let it run and crawl up under there and look for where its coming from.

Good idea......thanks fellas....NEWBIE out!

 

[LEB Paul]

Little tip from my dad when I first started workin on my own stuff, one of those things that stuck with me.

 

[Austin]

Little tip from my dad when I first started workin on my own stuff, one of those things that stuck with me.

I tried it when I had a leak on the bottom end... Cleaned EVERYTHING - tranny, suspension, oil pan...

Ended up that it was a leak from the front main seal and the rad fan was blowing it everywhere.

 

[LEB Paul]

I was actually thinking that if you have an electric fan Ken from Maine, turn it off so it doesn't blow the oil everywhere! Knew I forgot to say something in the first post, thanks for reminding me Autsin!

 

[Austin]

I was actually thinking that if you have an electric fan Ken from Maine, turn it off so it doesn't blow the oil everywhere! Knew I forgot to say something in the first post, thanks for reminding me Autsin!

No problemo. That's what threw me off the first go around!

 

[taxreliever]

I was actually thinking that if you have an electric fan Ken from Maine, turn it off so it doesn't blow the oil everywhere! Knew I forgot to say something in the first post, thanks for reminding me Autsin!

No problemo. That's what threw me off the first go around!

Yup. I do have the electric fans.....so good catch. Thanks guys.

 

[LEB Paul]

This will let you get the temp up quicker too so the oil will start seeping from wherever it's coming from, BUT make sure you keep an eye on the engine temp and oil temp if you have gauges for them so you don't over heat the motor!

 

[taxreliever]

This will let you get the temp up quicker too so the oil will start seeping from wherever it's coming from, BUT make sure you keep an eye on the engine temp and oil temp if you have gauges for them so you don't over heat the motor!

Another good point. Thanks....

 

[nobodyspecial]

I wish I only had a small pool of oil to deal with. My 400 in my Bronco managed to puke out 3 quarts in 150 miles.

There wasn't anywhere it didn't leak from, thats why its getting a rebuilt 300/4spd combo.

 

[LEB Paul]

^460/c6. done.

 

[nobodyspecial]

I have one of those as well, sitting right next to the 300 in the shop, but its going in a different truck.

 

[taxreliever]

I wish I only had a small pool of oil to deal with. My 400 in my Bronco managed to puke out 3 quarts in 150 miles.

There wasn't anywhere it didn't leak from, thats why its getting a rebuilt 300/4spd combo.

Wow......burns a lot, eh? Damn.

 

[m78]

Becareful where you spray the engine cleaner

 

[nobodyspecial]

Wow......burns a lot, eh? Damn.

Nope, doesn't burn a drop.

 

[taxreliever]

Becareful where you spray the engine cleaner

How come??????

Thanks,

 

[taxreliever]

Nope, doesn't burn a drop.

So, then what did you mean by puke out? Did it come out the top? Sorry if it's a dumb question. I just assumed it was burning that kinda oil in that 150 miles of driving.

 

[TexasRho83]

Ok well my 460 had a pool of oil accumulating in the wells of the intake and I put new valve cover gaskets on - no more oil.