cuminer2003

I need some help... I helped my son purchase a 96 GT as his first car, yes, 16 yrs old, I know I'm crazy, anyway, we've been working on it slowly, changing fluids, plugs, wires, body work, paint, etc. Just here recently (last couple of days) we ran into an oil leak right above the oil filter housing area. We've been getting home to late to see with good lighting (waiting for a day off) so I can't see where the heck it's coming from?? A shop teacher stated something about an oil cooler hose/ above the filter area?? The oil filter is tight, right size but it's been leaking pretty good the last couple of days and I'm worried, been keeping a close eye on the levels. Can anyone help me out? or show the way to a website with a drawing of the part?? Please help.... weather here in Utah is cold right now if that makes any difference?? let me know.. Thanks..

oxfordgt

Does it have an oil cooler? Most don't. If it doesnt then you might be leaking from the oil filter adapter (there is a gasket behind it). If thats it then it is an easy fix.

cuminer2003

Thanks... I'm not sure if it does or not?? I'll check tonight. If it doesn't, R U talking about the actual filter housing that the oil filter screws into? I plan on power washing it clean tonight 2 C if I can locate the exact location. Thanks 4 the help, I'll let everyone know what it turns out to be. I was just scared it was a block issue or something really serious, $$$$$ I serious I mean. Thanks again.

Dan04COBRA

You don't want to go power washing is there is a leak anywhere.

Use a detergent that will evaporate quickly, like brake cleaner or carb cleaner.

Sap

+1

Also with oil leaks I've found that using a rag and wiping it all off is most effective since the oil won't break down easy.

Take a picture if you can where the leak is from and we can probably give you more info.

DTK

Sometimes just finding where a leak is coming from is a job in itself.

Hopefully you can find it easily once the area is cleaned up.

If you clean up the area but cannot tell where it is coming from there is an additive you can get at most part stores.
You put it in your crankcase and run the engine for a little while to mix it.

Then you get a black light and the oil will glow (because of the additive).
You usually can easily trace the leak to the source from there.

rbstang

did you recently change the oil? if an unexperienced mechanic changed the oil before you bought it and never lubed up the oil filter gasket it could have gotten stuck to the engine so when you removed the oil filter and replaced it with the new one its just not making a tight fit

StangChik

I was thinking that too^^^^

BlockHed

you could also try buying a leak finder kit, a friend of mine is having a problem with his V6 and someone in that forum mentioned a leakfinder kit. there is a link if you go to the V6 forum and look under oil problem. It turns out we know my friend doesn't have a leak but may have blowen gaskets. we're still trying to figure it out.

oxfordgt

Thats a good point.

Buy some B-12 at auto zone. It will clean the area fast and leave it bone dry. I had a bad oil leak in my 85 f250 and I cleaned it with B-12 then wraped duct tape around each part that I thought it was leaking from one at a time. Once the oil stopped appearing I found out it was oil coming out of the top of the dipstick. I never would have figured out the leak without doing this.