I'm 16, just got my 1st car, Camaro Z28 for a relativley low price (I think) for 4500. Well anyway when I park somewhere after driving, there will be drops or small puddles of oil under the engine. I climbed underneath and there was oil spread from just in front of the oil filter all the way back to the transmission. The oil filter was coated w/ oil, so I tried tightening it but it was very snug. Any suggestions where to start? Reguardless, car runs great and FAST!

 

it could be a rear main seal but that does not start leaking until very high miles. its prob the rear of your intake that leaks. that is a very common prob with lt1s. the rtv seal between block and intake at the rear will leak. to fix this permently take off your intake and clean the area with the sealant very well. then take some sand paper and scuff up the edges for the new rtv sealant will adhire to the surfaces well. put on new intake gaskets and the sealant and let dry/cure for 24 hours. that should stop the leak. it stoped mine.

 

it does have 127,000 miles... but the lt1 seems very strong and i hope to keep it through college until i'm in my 20s.. it should last 5 years right?

 

It is also possible that who ever changed the oil last didnt get the old gasket off and you a "double gasket" and that will leak

 

the motor will last for almost ever. i heard of 300k on motors. but the tranny wont last forever. plan on replacing that sometime in the next 5 years. try putting your hand behind the intake where it meets the block in the middle. if you feel and see fresh oil its the intake. otherwise it maybe the rear mail seal, which requires the tranny to come off to fix. if not then it has to be the oil filter. can you see any oil going up your motor from the back? jack it up tp do this. is there any oil above the oil filter?

 

You might try cleaning off all the oil with some degreaser and then put the car on a lift and have someone run the engine up to 2k rpm and see if you can find any leaks. I'd say it's probably the intake or the oil filter, when my rear main leaked, it simply dripped straight down onto the exhaust pipe and smelled really bad.

 

I did the intake fix but it's still leaking. It only leaks when it's in gear. It is leaking onto my cat converter and steaming. I'm afraid of a fire hassard at this point....

It has to be the rear main now doesnt it?

 

i went up to the local Chevy dealer and they checked out my car for free, found the leaks, then i went home and fixed it myself

 

If you've got an automatic transmission, pull off the shield and take a look. It should be like four bolts to remove it.