Oil leak front of engine above main seal

DAVE HANFORD

MEMBER
1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
5.7L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
39,000 MILES

Main seal and sleeve for shaft of balancer where replaced and not leaking. Does not leak during driving even at 75 but if I manually shift 4 speed auto transmission up and down when acceleration and down speed to slow down I find oil leak under the front of engine. Looks like it is coming from above the timing cove under air intake somewhere. Can't see any seal leaks around any covers. Put dye in oil and it is oil. What would force a leak by the high RPM increase on engine during downshifting the manual transmission from overdrive to drive to second gear? Where would it come from up front of engine?

3 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good afternoon,

It could be coming from the intake manifold or it could be from a head gasket.

I would start by cleaning the front of the motor with a high-pressure soap like a self serve car wash. Since you already have oil dye in the system, drive it and then use a bright LED light to look for the source.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-is-leaking-oil

Roy

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Thursday, October 17th, 2019 AT 11:12 AM

DAVE HANFORD

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Every thing has been checked. The engine is spotlessly cleaned before looking. The small drops are coming from the front above or on top of the timing cover where you cannot see from under the hood or from below because of hoses belt balancer wiring alternator air intake. Only after using the transmission manually on a 4 speed auto while driving it to up shift from second to overdrive and back when slowing the car down instead of just the brakes.

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Thursday, October 17th, 2019 AT 1:13 PM

ASEMASTER6371