Why must my vette leak so...

[quickjagg]

I've been slowly trying to eliminate as many leaks as I can, I got the powersteering leak, the brake leak, and the transmission leak that I had fixed, but there's a ton more things leaking. I asked my Dad if it's worth trying to stop every leak... he said it was worth a try, but not to be disapointed when it continues to leak, since vettes are known to leak. Is that true? or do we just have poorly taken care of C3's driving around the Mt. Desert Island area. Oh and how much of a pain is it to replace the basepan gasket? that's the next leak I'm going after.
Thanx for the help!
-Chris

my vette was leaking too, it was power steering, and even thou it had a brand new pump and all the accesories i couldnt figure out where it leaked from, finally i went to the store returned the "defective" pump and got a new one and it stopped....go figure

[handya]

Anyone have problem with oil leaking out of fuel pump??

[quickjagg]

Oh, I was also wondering how hard it would be to replace the gaskets in my rearend, that thing is leaking pretty bad. IT doesn't look like much fun to take that thing out and replace the seals either...
Thanks for the help!
-Chris

Had leaky car for months, thought it was rear main seal so changed it plus the oil pan to one piece fel-pro. Still had leak.
Turned out to be valve covers. Oil slowly finds strange paths down to pan but now no drips anymore. Very nice feeling!

[GerryLP]

Chris,

Either way (whether the cover gasket or yoke shaft seals are leaking) the differential would have to come out. Once you have the tire carrier out it is alot more simple. Just raise the car on jacks as high as you can and give yourself time to support and disconnect the differential. Use a corvette maintenance manual for this. You won't need special tools to remove it from the vehicle. Important details are found in the manual.

[82dukman]

They are like my Harley, just marking its spot

[rpounds]

Handya,

I had a problem with oil leaking around the fuel pump. I just replaced both of the gaskets, the one for the fuel pump proper and for the adapter plate. I used permatex on both side of both gaskets and it seems to have stopped the leak, although I only got it back together in the last couple of days.

Ron

I have had many leaks from my Vette.First it was the powersteering control valve.fixed it.Then a exhaust leak from the manifold.Replaced both manifolds.fixed.Then a leak from the tranny at the speedo seal.fixed it.was okay then leaked again fixed it again now leaking again.Slow leak so I`ve given up for now on that one.
Also the Tranny coolant hose in front was leaking and finally gave.Had to replace that what a mess that was!It happened at about 90mph.Tranny fluid everywhere along the side of my Vette.Even contaminated the brakes.
So your not alone on the leak thing bro.

[beige81]

I recently purchased my 81 and am also going through the leak repair mode. But, most of what I've found was due to deferred maintainence...Valve cover gasket leak...covers never been off.; power sterring leak...replaced the orginal; antifreeze leak....replaced both hoses w/bypass too--all were old and swollen up on the ends. so far.....thats about it.
Most Vette owners I 've known, are more responsible for the upkeep and may seem to have to worrk on them more to keep them in good condition whereas the "daily driver" cars are just driven until the wheels fall off (throwaway cars)
Also, some might say, the Vettes are sometimes driven a "little" harder. regards, jim

[Drummer72]

Asking if it is worth trying to stop all leaks?
It sure is, at least giving it a try is. I bought my 71 in 2000 from a Swiss guy. Car was in bad shape even though the engine had been overhauld, just like the entire drive train. The car had not been cranked for over 5 years so virtually any seal was cracked or deteriorated. This meant only one thing: major effort and investment (time and Euros).
Also the radiators were leaking because they had been in the freezing Swiss cold without anti-freeze. All seals of the cooling system, fuel lines (including a new tank), differential, gearbox, valve covers, carburator, tach drive shaft, oil sensor, vacuum system had to be replaced. Took me about 6 months to get it all done. Car is almost leak-free now and runs better than back in 71.
Coming back to the original question: was it worth the effort? The answer can only be yes because in many situations you simply do not have a choice. I also became a fan of gearbox oil additive which keep the seals from drying out. Works excellent.

[Stallion]

Just a question, and I've heard around that Vettes tend to leak. But, I think most of these leaks are small and hard to even track, so how do you find the source of a leak in a car?

[Mako]

Originally posted by handya
Anyone have problem with oil leaking out of fuel pump??

You bet I have.

Both Holley fuel pumps I had leaked oil all over the place. The castings are crap. A Carter fuel pump finally fixed that problem permanently.

CYa!
Mako

[Drummer72]

Stallion,

First of all the color of the leaking fluid will reveil the source. It could be red, green, transparent, brownish. That's the first step to get closer to the leak itself. Cooling system is relatively easy. If you use anti-freeze or true cooling fluid the green color will tell where it leaks. Gasoline is harder but the gas supply and return system is fairly uncomplicated. Check the gaslines for cracks and loose clamps. The gaspump can only be checked properly if the car is running idle. Check for dripping around the seals (first dry and clean it with a rag). Usually best is to replace the pump and seals, especially when the pump is old/worn out.

It gets harder when you're looking for oil leaks. Knows areas are the valve covers, oil sensor fitting, manifold seals. Leaks in these areas can be traced down by cleaning the area and powdering it with talcum powder. This stuff works great, it leaves white traces behind which direct you to the source of the leak. Shaft seals of both the gear box and the engine are harder to trace. The oil usually comes out of the flywheel cover. There is a little hole in the bottom that will tell you what kind of oil it is (red:gearbox, brown:engine). Don't be too hasty about replacing these seals, C3's always leak here. As long as you're not talking about large amounts just ignore and keep an eye on the oil level once in a while.
Another known source of leaking gearboxes is the seal around the shifting rod (left front upper side of the box) . Can be easily replaced and hardly involves any costs.

I said it before, I really appreciate the gearbox additives. They really help to keep your seals in good shape.

Good luck.

[Stallion]

Thanks, Drummer72! But, what do you mean by "gearboxes"? What/where are they and what's their functionality? Thanks!

TR