Racing with an oil leak?

*cardana24* · 10-24-2009, 06:44 PM

I want to make it to the 1/4 once more this year, my problem is I have an oil leak. From what I can tell is that it is coming from the upper oil pan or the timing chain cover. Both of those leaks are not worth fixing for me because I am doing an engine swap this winter. I was hoping somone here has a good idea on making some sort of catch can that can just get me though one night of drag racing. I was thinking about making some sort of sheet metal contraption with rags in the bottom and a screen over top of them to catch an dripping oil. Any ideas? I know the popular answer will be to fix my oil leak but at this point it is not worth it to me. Thanks for any help.

*bigleman* · 10-24-2009, 07:14 PM

i think its a really dumb idea

Gemner · 10-24-2009, 08:23 PM

dont do it. If not for your car, then for the oil slick youll leave behind for the other cars

*t6378tp* · 10-25-2009, 12:50 AM

put a sh!t load of rtv on the leak and right before the pass put some rags there just encase but if oil is still hitting the ground don't do it

maxboy325 · 10-25-2009, 09:21 AM

Yeah man I think its not worth the risk, plus I dont think you'll get through tech with you contraption. Just take a loss and enjoy your new setup next season. PS plus you may blow it up and then there is more problems.

NiZMo1o1 · 10-25-2009, 11:31 AM

umm dont do it, im leaking by the freeze plug above the Rear Main seal and it drips down onto my exhuast and floor,

I wanted to run a few weeks ago but thats very unsafe for others, the track.

Not only that if you put a rag that , what if that oil and rag hits the exhuast ? can you say FIRE ?

*t6378tp* · 10-25-2009, 02:24 PM

if it's for just 1-2 passes the exhaust will not even get hot enough.

Honesty I would do it, if it's unsafe for the track then it's unsafe for the street in my book or vice versa.

it makes no since it's ok for him to oil down the street and kill some poor motorcycle rider but not the track, depending on how bad the leak is do it.

*bigleman* · 10-25-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t6378tp

if it's for just 1-2 passes the exhaust will not even get hot enough.

Honesty I would do it, if it's unsafe for the track then it's unsafe for the street in my book or vice versa.

it makes no since it's ok for him to oil down the street and kill some poor motorcycle rider but not the track, depending on how bad the leak is do it.

because most people arent going WOT and 100mph+ on the street

if you are leaking, they arent going to let you on the track
plain and simple

*t6378tp* · 10-25-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigleman

because most people arent going WOT and 100mph+ on the street

if you are leaking, they arent going to let you on the track
plain and simple

like I said your statement makes no sense if it's unsafe for the street it's unsafe for the track.

So if a guy on a bike behind him taking a turn he will fall at 20mph or 80mph does not matter if it's oil.

like I said if it's not bad do a quick fix and make your pass.

I think you guys are missing the fact that I am not telling him to go oil the track but to do a temp fix for the night and make his pass

streetzlegend · 10-25-2009, 04:22 PM

I have leaks and I have gone to the track, now my leak is just a few drops of oil overnight on my driveway, its not pouring out or anything. Sometimes I dont even see any but a single drop. I am not promoting the idea of going to the track with leak but if its small enough then id go. . now if ur leaving a trail of oil as your driving then thats not safe at all for others.

*cardana24* · 10-26-2009, 07:07 AM

I am not leaving a trail but it will leave a good puddle over night. I cannot pin point exactly where it is leaking from. I thought about snuging the bolts and putting rtv around the timing chain cover and seeing it it is still leaking. I made a few passes at MAXUS but got shut down after my fourth run. I have no desire to make it dangerous for anyone, I was just wondering if there was a way to patch it up for one evening of racing.

streetzlegend · 10-26-2009, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardana24

I am not leaving a trail but it will leave a good puddle over night. I cannot pin point exactly where it is leaking from. I thought about snuging the bolts and putting rtv around the timing chain cover and seeing it it is still leaking. I made a few passes at MAXUS but got shut down after my fourth run. I have no desire to make it dangerous for anyone, I was just wondering if there was a way to patch it up for one evening of racing.

Just gotta find exactly where its leaking from, spray it with break parts cleaner and right away apply a silicone that dries very quick, so it dosnt give oil a chance to leak out while its drying.

*cardana24* · 10-26-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by streetzlegend

Just gotta find exactly where its leaking from, spray it with break parts cleaner and right away apply a silicone that dries very quick, so it dosnt give oil a chance to leak out while its drying.

I'll try to pin point it. I have tried before and it is so hard to see in that area because of all of the acessories, plus a supercharger is in the way.

*93altima* · 10-26-2009, 07:09 PM

ive gone up and down the track numerous time and i daily drive my car every day w/ oil leaking from the upper pan or timing cover and i had bad axle seals so they leak it dosen't pour out it just drips so i say do the damn thing esp. for only 1 night (just make sure your fluids are top'd off)

chrome91 · 10-26-2009, 08:26 PM

IMO dont, going again isnt worth fking up the car, wait until the engine swap is done then haul azz later

*cardana24* · 10-28-2009, 01:31 PM

I am going to try to find the leak tonight. I got a can of Permatex 1 minute great stuff. It's supposed to be fast drying RTV. I am going to clean everything off and try to seal it off to make it safe to run on Friday.

**Nealoc187** · 10-28-2009, 02:29 PM

I'd do exactly what streetz described. As long as you don't have oil gushing out on to the track you're not posing a danger to yourself or anyone else, tech won't say anything unless they're complete tech nazis (which some tracks are and some tracks don't even make you pop your hood), and you aren't going to hurt the motor any. Rig it for the day and have fun.

*cardana24* · 10-28-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nealoc187

I'd do exactly what streetz described. As long as you don't have oil gushing out on to the track you're not posing a danger to yourself or anyone else, tech won't say anything unless they're complete tech nazis (which some tracks are and some tracks don't even make you pop your hood), and you aren't going to hurt the motor any. Rig it for the day and have fun.

That's what I am planning on doing at this point. I am going to clean everything the best I can, the RTV the timing chain cover, upper oil pan, and whatever else may possibly be leaking.

*cardana24* · 10-29-2009, 07:20 AM

well I am not sure the leak was where I thought it was. It's hard to tell with the engine in the car, but the power steering pump was really oil soaked and it came down from there. The exhaust manifold closest to the fire wall looked like it has been soaked in oil....so I pulled off the UIM and took the rear valve cover off, and I tried to re seal it with RTV in the corners...I did not originally put any RTV on the gasket when I changed the gaskets when I did my VI swap. Hopefully that will fix this leak. On the other side of the engine it looks like I may have an axle seal leak...I can't tell exactly where its coming from though. I checked my transmission fluid level and I cannot feel the fluid with my finger

, not good...I am guessing this is where my howling noise is coming from. When I do the engine swap this winter I also plan on swaping my tranny to a VLSD unit that needs to be re built at the current time. So, does any one know of a thick GL-4 fluid that I can pick up today (I have access to all of the major parts stores, and walmart)?

qwik4asix · 11-09-2009, 10:47 AM

I agree with streetz as well. If you can find where it's seeping from, clean it and smear it with high-temp rtv for a temp fix. You won't hurt anybody or anything, half the race cars at the track do the same thing!

*cardana24* · 11-10-2009, 07:50 AM

Its over now. I went to the track and got though tech inspection, and never got to make a pass because it started raining. It was not leaking when I went though tech or when I was in the staging lanes. The worst leak I found was at the driver side axle seal, I was not going to pull the axle to fix it so I put a rag on the transmission where it was running down, and duct taped it in place

I changed the rag once I got to the track

Oh well. It's getting pulled this winter.