4.3 oil pan leak

W

WBrianS

Cadet
Joined
Jun 6, 2011
Messages
7
I've got a 2008 4.3 that I purchased last year. When I bought it there was a leak from the very front of the oil pan, right where it mates to the timing chain housing cover. I pulled the engine and replaced the gasket and all was well. I've put about 30 hours on the engine over the last year, and this last weekend I was running it hard for about 30 minutes at top speed and the leak started again. A steady drip from the same location.
I'd used the GM gasket as it looked identical to the Mercruiser one, cleaned the surfaces very well, and used the grey RVT silicone.
I noted that the engine has no positive crankcase vent, but instead just 2 vents.

I have the engine out now and am ready to put in the new gasket, but any advice on how to make this my last time would be appreciated. It runs perfect except for these two leaks.
Thanks,
-Brian
 
Don S

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: 4.3 oil pan leak

A guy with a username of Achris should be along soon. He can explain it in detail since he had the same problem and pulled the engine a number of times. His was a cracked timing chain cover.
 
W

WBrianS

Cadet
Joined
Jun 6, 2011
Messages
7
Re: 4.3 oil pan leak

Hmmmm...
It's a drip, not oil being slung as it would if the leak were around the crank.
I checked the timing cover over very carefully last year and again today and can see no crack at all.
It looks like it's coming from between the oil pan & timing cover, in the dip.

As that's how it looked last year too, and the new pan gaskett corrected the problem than I reckon it's the same. I'd replace the timing cover too, but they're made of gold under that black paint.
 
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