Oil leak problems?

[Seanh]

Well, I am haveing some trouble...When I first got my Z it leaked alot of oil, I just kept filling it up. I finally did my first oil change on it since I'd got it, and replaced the filter (probally 4 years old, been sitting). Stoped my oil from leaking almost completly, I thought the seal around the filter was the problems then and haven't worried about it. I just got back from a 500 mile round trip in which my car used slightly less the 3 quarts of oil. The engine is in good shape, and I doubt hardly any of that was "burned", most just leaked out. I noticed spots all over where I parked the car, even after just 10 minutes. It looks to me like its comming from the front of the engine, like maybe the front main seals or something. I don't know, all I know is I don't want to have to go to alot of work to fix this, so I'm wondering if there is a good stop leak oil additive that might fix this problem without replaceing seals? Thanks

[2ManyZs]

Better to replace the seals. Stop leak in the radiator usually ends up clogging the passages in the radiator. If you put something like that in the crankcase you run the risk of ruining the engine. Bearings run a lot tighter tolerances than a radiator tube, so why risk it?

It's possibly a combination of oil pan gasket and front seal. It could also be the front cover gasket. The front seal and gasket are simple to fix while the engine is in the car, the oil pan gasket is a little tougher as you will need to raise the engine a bit for clearance to remove the pan.

I would never put anything in the crankcase that says it can stop a leak, as it could also stop oil flow.:cross-eye

[smg1404]

Clean the engine with some foamy engine brite, or other method, and locallize the leak location. Also when you park the car put a piece of paper under the car , or park in new location.. Take note of where the leak is coming from... The front main is an easy repair. You will be lucky if this is the only leak.... My car seems to be leaking, because there is some on the outside of the block. But I can make it between oil changes without adding oil, so old zcars do not enherently consume oil... Replacing the oil pan gasket is a more difficult repair if needed. But can be done without removing the engine.. The rear main is a pain because you will have to remove the transmission... Your first step must be to locate the cause of your leakage... Then procede accordingly.. Check your plugs also, if they are not showing a lot of deposits, and or oil you are probably right that you are not burning the oil. Good luck...