Oil Leak (Pan, Lines?)

[SComp23]

I have a 1998 Chevy Blazer 2wd with 74000 miles on it. I have recently had the intake manifold gasket replaced, and started running Mobil Clean 7500 in the truck. Anyways I came out to my truck today (which hasn't been driven in about 12 or so days) and noticed what may be a small puddle of oil under it. Since I am at college and live at an apartment, the oil could be old who knows. Anyways I looked under it and noticed 2 small drops of oil hanging from the oil pan right near the bell housing. It may have been on the bell housing, I can't remember, but anyways I wiped it, took it for a drive, came back, and there was another small drip of oil. Any idea what this could be? I have never replaced the oil cooler lines.

Edit: I put a paper towel under where it was leaking from about an hour or 2 ago and it is coming from my truck.

Edit 2: I snapped a few pics guys. Could it be running all the way down my oil pan and then just dripping off of the back? Where the red circle is is where the oil has been forming drops.

[Rick Norwood]

Originally Posted by SComp23

I have a 1998 Chevy Blazer 2wd with 74000 miles on it. I have recently had the intake manifold gasket replaced, and started running Mobil Clean 7500 in the truck. Anyways I came out to my truck today (which hasn't been driven in about 12 or so days) and noticed what may be a small puddle of oil under it. Since I am at college and live at an apartment, the oil could be old who knows. Anyways I looked under it and noticed 2 small drops of oil hanging from the oil pan right near the bell housing. It may have been on the bell housing, I can't remember, but anyways I wiped it, took it for a drive, came back, and there was another small drip of oil. Any idea what this could be? I have never replaced the oil cooler lines.

Edit: I put a paper towel under where it was leaking from about an hour or 2 ago and it is coming from my truck.

I'd suggest that you take your truck of one of those manual car washes and wash down the engine to remove any existing drips or spills. Be very careful not to get elecrical components too wet.

The drips could be anything from the valve cover gaskets to the rear main seal. Washing the engine especially the rear near the firewall may help you pin point the leak.

Is the oil pressure sending unit still on the back of the engine? I know my 89 had it back there. Check to make sure it isn't cracked and leaking.

[blazee]

I agree with Rick. It will be much easier to find if things are clean.

The most common causes, that I've seen are the rear main and the oil cooler lines. Check the lines at the connections where the rubber meets the metal, that's where they usually leak. I just had to replace mine again, today.....

[BlazinMlew]

I have the same thing on mine and it is the rear main seal. Not bad but also not pretty either.

[SComp23]

That does not sound good, at all. In the first picture, in the red circle, is that where the rear main seal is? Between the bell and the oil pan?

[97blazerct]

its a blazer, its bound to leak oil.

remember chevy's motto.. "If it doesnt leak, it aint running right!"

[SComp23]

I pulled the little cap on the bell housing to inspect it for oil. I didn't really see or feel any oil, just a very little amount on the inside of the cap, like half of a drop maybe, and also some black gunk. Is it safe to clean all of those areas I showed with brake cleaner?

[SComp23]

Alright so this is the deal. I just cleaned the bottom of the engine up with a towel, and left it alone for 2 hours. When I came back outside I saw where it was coming from. In the first picture, notice the huge bolt right by the bellhousing weep-hole? Is it coming out right on the side of that, in the picture it looks like a brown line about a centimeter long. Should I worry about this? It takes about a day or so to form a whole drop, I just don't like oil leaking out of my truck. Also, where is it coming from would you say? I opened that little port in the bellhousing and its basically dry in there, no noticable oil on the flywheel.

[muddog321]

Also look at the oil filter housing (2wd) or on 4wd where the cooler lines connect to the engine - there is a seal and gasket in that housing that can leak and runs/blows down the bell housing.

[SComp23]

Is it likely that it could even be dripping out of the area that I described, right where that huge bolt is connecting the bell to the oil pan? I don't think it is coming out of that weephole, and the lines connecting at the oil filter are not leaking. I put a piece of paper towel in the weephole to see if the leaking stops, but I don't think it will. It doesn't even leak all that bad, just like a drop hanging off of the bellhousing, and it drips maybe 3 times after I drive it. Could this have to do with me switching over to a synthetic? If so, is it possible the seals will be reconditioned and possibly stop leaking?

[drdd]

sorry to ask about such an old thread but, did you ever find out what caused this leak? My 1997 is doing the EXACT same thing!

Originally Posted by SComp23

I have a 1998 Chevy Blazer 2wd with 74000 miles on it. I have recently had the intake manifold gasket replaced, and started running Mobil Clean 7500 in the truck. Anyways I came out to my truck today (which hasn't been driven in about 12 or so days) and noticed what may be a small puddle of oil under it. Since I am at college and live at an apartment, the oil could be old who knows. Anyways I looked under it and noticed 2 small drops of oil hanging from the oil pan right near the bell housing. It may have been on the bell housing, I can't remember, but anyways I wiped it, took it for a drive, came back, and there was another small drip of oil. Any idea what this could be? I have never replaced the oil cooler lines.

Edit: I put a paper towel under where it was leaking from about an hour or 2 ago and it is coming from my truck.

Edit 2: I snapped a few pics guys. Could it be running all the way down my oil pan and then just dripping off of the back? Where the red circle is is where the oil has been forming drops.