Oil Leak Worse After Shutting Car Off?

**CNorell145** · 08-18-2014

Hey everyone, my 2000 GTP is leaking oil, but I'm not sure where it is coming from. On one of my valve covers (the rear cover - closest to the cabin) there are three stripped bolts from the previous owner - so I'm guessing that is where the leak is. However, it seems that when I first shut the car off, a bunch of oil drops out, then it slows down and stops. Now it may be my imagination that the leak is worse right after shutting the car off, but I am sure that I cannot see any oil leaking while the car has been off for a while - it also takes a while for the oil to start leaking visibly (dropping onto the ground). The other thing is that the oil is hitting the exhaust and burning.

As I was typing this - I realized that while the car is jacked the oil seems to be passively dripping out. This could be residual oil leaking still - I'm not sure on this, or if this helps the diagnosis at all.

My main question (TL

R) - what sources could the oil be leaking from to be burning on the exhaust manifold?

P.S. - for those of you that know my story from other posts, I got the N/A engine top swapped and in the car and it seems to be running well - except for this.

**FordMan77** · 08-18-2014

When the car is running and then shut off there is more oil up top in the heads before it drains back into the motor. Maybe you have some extra crank case pressure causing it to seep out after shutdown. PCV working ok?

Instead of guessing, clean it all off and then let it run. If it's leaking you should see it. If not, then shut it down after it's hot and take a look at the rear cover to look for leaks.

Since you know you have 3 stripped bolts on the rear cover I'd look at that first since there aren't that many bolts on the VC's.

**Scottydoggs** · 08-18-2014

sounds like the oil pressure sensor is leaking. turn the wheels left, ( car still running) then look behind the pass side wheel to the oil filter, to its left is a sensor with a green plug oil leaks from the plug end if its bad. hits the axle then the ground.

**CNorell145** · 08-18-2014

I was trying to check the rear cover, but I can't see a damn thing with the harness and exhaust in the way...

And the oil pressure sensor was leaking before - I thought I fixed it, but I can check it again in the morning. I'll keep everyone posted.

**Scottydoggs** · 08-18-2014

i went trough 3 of them in a year, they have a high fail rate in my book. check it out for sure.

**CNorell145** · 08-19-2014

The oil sending unit is fine from what I can tell. The car is jacked up at about a 15-30 degree angle right now.

I just ran it for 4 minutes, no oil dripping from anywhere, and a little burning on the exhaust.

As soon as I shut it off, it started dripping pretty quickly (3-4 drops per second) off of the oil pan. However, I don't think it is coming from the oil pan because of the burn.

Does that information spark any new ideas, or reaffirm that it is probably the valve cover?

**Scottydoggs** · 08-19-2014

if its smoking oil off the fire wall side id think the valve cover gasket is bad, take a paper towel and wipe under the bottom of the cover, see if it comes up wet.

**CNorell145** · 08-19-2014

Yeah, it is coming out from under the valve cover. However, the threads are stripped inside the head, from the previous owner, so I can't tighten it down.

I'm thinking either longer bolts or a lot of RTV. The only problem is that the bolts have those strange little rings on them. Are those needed?

**FordMan77** · 08-19-2014

You might be able to get away without the bolt grommets, never tried. How bad are the threads in the head? Could you chase them with a tap and maybe straighten/clean them out? I doubt longer bolts will work as I doubt they go that deep in the head. Worst case maybe try a helicoil.

**CNorell145** · 08-19-2014

Alright, I got the bolts to thread, but we have a new problem. I can't push the button on the shifter and I can't turn the key at all to try to start the car, and it was just working. Any ideas on that?

**CNorell145** · 08-19-2014

Never mind, works now... Must have been some security issue.

**CNorell145** · 08-19-2014

One more thing - I know this isn't the right place but since I just started this thread I'll ask here quick. My traction control is stuck off and the button doesn't change that. Any ideas there?

I appreciate the help by the way, thank you both.

**Scottydoggs** · 08-19-2014

you get the cover to snug up?

dont make em to tight or they break, if you took one out to look at it you'll see the bolts has a stop aka a shoulder at the end of the threads, make em to tight it breaks. so the rule is good and snug, and stop.

**CNorell145** · 08-19-2014

I did get the cover to snug up - hopefully that is all the problem was!

**Scottydoggs** · 08-19-2014

if its still leaks its best to take it off check the gasket out. maybe its torn. clean the head where the gasket meets, and dab some rtv on the gasket, see if that seals it up better. new valve cover gaskets aint cheap. like 55 to 75 for a felpro set with new grommets.

**CNorell145** · 08-19-2014

I just let it run for a couple minutes - and I think it is solved.

Last question for now, I promise. Some supercharger oil leaked out when putting the motor into the engine. Will that cause the supercharger to make a whining sort of bearing noise? There's like a constant squeak coming from around the supercharger pulley.

**Scottydoggs** · 08-19-2014

leaked from where? theres a plug on the front take it up and top it off with gm sc oil. you get it at the dealer, you can also go to a ford dealer, ask for m90 sc oil for a thunder bird.

id take the belts off, start the engine for a minute, see if the sound is gone. if its gone its a pulley gone bad, spin the pulleys by had if one dont spin freely its bad.