Please tell me it's not the rear main..

I still have to get under this car and look at it, but I wanted to get some input from you guys. I noticed on my 96 RMW that when you start it when it's cold oil will come out of the torque converter cover. It comes out in a stream for a few seconds and then stops completely. Again, I only see this when the engine is cold. Anyone ever see an LT1 do this? I figured a rear seal would constantly leak.

When your engine and it's lubricating oil are cold, initial operating hydraulic oil pressure is at it's highest.

There are some plugs that are interference press fit into the cylinder block behind the flywheel.

www.chevyhiperformance.com/tech/engines_drivetrain/shortblock/83818_block_plug_basics/

Here you can find what the hidden back of your block looks like.

The large welch plug in the center for the cam and the three small ones over it at 10, 12 & 2 o'clock have engine oil behind them.

The other two large plugs are coolant.

You must also check the rear main one piece seal and it's housing for leaks.

Don't forget to check the very common oil pressure sender leak, left center behind intake manifold rear seal edge.

You did say engine oil, otherwise you should check the transmission front seal.

Thanks, gonna check the oil sender hoping for a quick fix. If that or the intake gasket on the rear isn't the issue, I guess it's time for a trans pull. I caught some oil on a pan, it's definitely motor oil.

Now it gets weird. I pulled the cover last night and first thing I noticed was a small hole punched in the cover towards the rear of it, nothing major. Once the cover comes out there's a 1" long threaded part of a broken bolt sitting in the pan! Looks to be 3/8", and I can't figure out where a bolt like this would normally be in that area.
Anyways, I cleaned it all off with brake clean (oil was splashed all over the bell housing and looks like it pooled enough for the flex plate teeth to sit in it) and started it back up. I don't see anything dripping from anywhere at all. The main looks dry even after running for a while. If the weather cooperates today I'll check it now that it's sat overnight.

That is strange. I don't recall anything mounted in that area when I did the trans swap. I know the inspection cover has a drain/weep hole in it. Not sure what you mean by a hole "punched" in it.

Non really related, but I have a buddy with a lowered car and he got a trailer hitch ball through his oil pan on 95. What a mess!

MASShole9C1 wrote:

That is strange. I don't recall anything mounted in that area when I did the trans swap. I know the inspection cover has a drain/weep hole in it. Not sure what you mean by a hole "punched" in it.

Non really related, but I have a buddy with a lowered car and he got a trailer hitch ball through his oil pan on 95. What a mess!

Damn that must suck! I can't think of what this could be from, I don't think there's anything in that area. My guess is someone did a trans swap and this was left there? I'll take a pic of the hole later, I think it was the bolt getting kicked up by the flex plate and getting thrown.

So you think that oil was just sitting in there a while and now it's gone from when you looked into it? Forgive my ignorance but I'm assuming oil would be introduced because of the input shaft or something? I thought it was motor oil leaking?

I've got an lt1 on am engine stand and I don't see anything back there that could have broken off.
The only thing I can think of is the rear seal housing, but it's small bolts and they really can't come out unless you remove the flexplate.

Matt Trakker wrote:

So you think that oil was just sitting in there a while and now it's gone from when you looked into it?  Forgive my ignorance but I'm assuming oil would be introduced because of the input shaft or something?  I thought it was motor oil leaking?

It is motor oil for sure, but I don't see where it was coming from. I checked again this morning after starting it and it's still dry.

Ironfistdog wrote:

I've got an lt1 on am engine stand and I don't see anything back there that could have broken off.
The only thing I can think of is the rear seal housing, but it's small bolts and they really can't come out unless you remove the flexplate.

This is a 3/8" bolt, no idea how it got there.

Looks like I narrowed down to the oil filter adapter!  

I noticed some oil dripping onto the driver's cat if I don't put the cover back on, with the cover on it must be catching the drips. That's a relief, I'd much rather do that job than pull a trans! Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Yeah but where did the bolt come from.  

Prior owner wedged the bolt in between the cover & case so the oil wouldnt collect...badass mod #645

sdstick wrote:

Prior owner wedged the bolt in between the cover & case so the oil wouldnt collect...badass mod #645

I like that one, I'm going with it