More oil in the bellhousing

[daveg]

Some of you might remember from last summer....

http://www.uniquecobra.com/showthread.php?t=6334

I have been experiencing oil leaking in the bellhousing for my SA 406 bought in 2005 since I first started the car. I replaced the rear seal last year but the oil leak has continued. While I might be getting used to swabbing up oil in the garage (I go through about a quart per 100 miles) and pissing off my friends when I park in their driveways, I dropped it off at the mechanic today to drop the transmission and inspect the plugs since it doesn't seem to be the rear seal. I only 2500 miles on the car.

Once the transmission was off, he added 80+ pounds of air pressure to the oil system (couldn't start because the starter was off) and looked for leakage with soapy water around the plugs and couldn't find anything.

He is suggesting taking the engine out to send to a builder to break it down and inspect fully - who knows cost-wise - $1,000+ I am sure by the time it is done. Any suggestions out there for next steps. I am calling Bill at southern tomorrow to get their thoughts.

Dave

[souzape]

Dave- have you checked to see if you have pin holes in the weld seams around the kick-outs in your canton oil pan?? Look for weep trails leading aft along the very bottom of the pan. Mine leaks constantly.

Phil Souza

[pgermond]

As far as I know SA (Bill) has always stood behind their engines. Let us know what transpires.

[eliminator]

If it were me I would call Bill at SA and let him tell you how he wants to handle it. Engine Builders get pi$$ed off when someone else starts messing with their engines. And if you let someone else get involed SA may decline to do anything, righfully so.

[will butterworth]

We are about to buy a canton oil pan, ain,t cheap, you say it leaks around the welding.Thanks, thats good to know. Will give it a good inspection.Will-alabama

[souzape]

Will- I don't think I'm the only one who has had this problem. Phil

[pgermond]

Will,

Had the same problem with mine. Fixed it with JB Weld...... haven't had a problem in almost 3 years now.

[daveg]

Follow-up.

I held a conference call between my mechanic and Lyle Piper (Chief Engine Builder for SA) this morning. My mechanic is going to take off the distributor and drive the oil pump to see if he can get a leak in one of the plugs. Both seemed to think it was the plugs although I would think the air pressure would have done the same thing.

I think I am leaning toward him just tightening/replacing the plugs regardless of whether he sees any leaks. Can't really see anything else unless the rear seal was put in wrong that could lead to my problem.

dave