HELP Traveling Oil leak HELP

[jazzmandolin]

Hey guys, I am in the middle of a 2500 mile trip, The good ole 92 loyale wagon did great on the trip out here to Arkansas from Virginia other than a small oil leak that seems to have gotten a little worse. Its not that it is leaking that much its that is is leaking from the back of the engine onto the cat. and or exhaust pipe and stinking of burning oil to high hell. Is this most likely the main seal between the motor and trans or is there another seal I need to know about? It is not the valve cover gaskets for sure! How hard is the job and what should I expect if I decide to get a estimate and have it fixed? I will have access to a full garage and lift in the next few days before I head back to Va. and am thinking I might should try and fix it myself? Thanks so much for all your great input. Jay

[Ricearu]

could be cam tower to head seals, the pass. side one hovers right above the cat. My last motor leaked right there...

[Deener]

Before you assume the worst...

 

I had mine leak exactly like that - burning up and stankin once it hit the cat and it was because the oil filter seal was leaking from the top!!

 

I learned the trick of smearing a little oil around the filter seal pretty quickly. Check the filter before you rip your engine apart...

 

Dean

[jazzmandolin]

Thanks for the replies, and cam tower to head seal is what I was looking for and I am afraid this is probably the culprit? Tear down the motor in the middle of the trip will be a too much. Thinking i will have to let it ride till I get home and just keep a good watch on the oil level which I do anyway at every gas fill up. Any additional input greatly appreciated. Thanks again Jay

[skishop69]

If you want to get rid of the oil smell, here's the trick...

 

Go to Home Depot or Ace or some such place. Get a few shor lengths of 3/4" or 1" angle iron, a small piece of sheet metal to cover the area the oil is hitting and a few large band clamps (extra lg hose clamps). Place the angle iron on the exhaust as a spacer and put the sheet metal on that. You hay need a hacksaw and tin snips to trim things. Form the sheet metal around the exhaust and angle iron and secure it with the band clamps. Voila! Instant heat/oil shield! Yes, I had to do this on a road trip with my Suburban...

[Ricearu]

let it cool down, then clean off the head with brake parts cleaner, then run a bead of copper hi-temp rtv down that seam. give that sucker a small swipe to make a seal. that should help to get you home.