So, my 88 5speed is starting to slip. I changed the clutch out because of this. When the case engine was pulled off of the transmission, there was oil going down the motor and on to the clutch plate. Changed the valve cover gaskets, intake gaskets, and the oil pan gasket in an attempt to prevent the oil from returning. This weekend I took about a 300 mile round trip. My clutch started slipping during acceleration while trying to pass. It feels like the new clutch may some how be getting oil on it again. I read previous posts about manual transmission oil leaks, and I read that the distributor may have a leak from an oil ring. Do you think that the oil from the distributor could get onto the clutch, or is there somewhere else I should be concerned about?
It may be leaking from the rear main crank seal, the rear camshaft plug/seal or one of the two oil galleys to the lifters. All are above the center of the crank. Larry
I just replaced the distributor o-ring on my Formula. It had a major oil leak. The improved o-ring and gasket was less than $5 from the GM dealer and took 45 minutes to replace. If it's leaking, you should notice oil running down the transmission where the speed sensor mounts into the transmission.
I agree with Larry... though I'd place my bets on it being the rear main crank seal. Oil leaks that are external to the bell housing, such as the distributor shaft or valve covers, have a remote likelihood of being the cause.
Lots of people say "rear main seal" or "rear crank seal".
Think about that for a minute... That will get oil on the back of the flywheel, unless it just gets slung around inside the clutch housing and ends up dripping or otherwise splattering on the clutch. OTOH, a leaking input shaft seal on the tranny will oil the clutch directly. A leaky distributor o-ring will possibly drip through the seam, and onto the flywheel, but there is still no guarantee that it will get onto the clutch. There are lots of "concave" areas around the distributor. If that's what's leaking, it should be easy to tell. Oil should be puddled there. If you take it all back apart, also check the cam cover. It's also behind the flywheel.
OTOH, a leaking input shaft seal on the tranny will oil the clutch directly.
Is there a dye that could be added to the engine (or tranny) oil? That could be one way to make it readily apparent when the clutch is pulled whether the oil has been coming from the engine or from the tranny.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 02-26-2014).]
Originally posted by Raydar: Lots of people say "rear main seal" or "rear crank seal". Think about that for a minute... that will get oil on the back of the flywheel...
The oil wicks up between the mating surfaces of the flywheel's centering flange on the crank, and the large hole in the center of the crank. The oil then gets spun centrifugally along the plane of the flywheel that the clutch disk is attached to.
The oil wicks up between the mating surfaces of the flywheel's centering flange on the crank, and the large hole in the center of the crank. The oil then gets spun centrifugally along the plane of the flywheel that the clutch disk is attached to.
I suppose it's possible. Never say never. Just suggesting to check everything while it's apart.
(I actually had a bad input shaft seal to kill a clutch on a car that I used to have. Of course it was a Saginaw 4 speed, but still...)
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 02-27-2014).]
Lots of people say "rear main seal" or "rear crank seal".
Think about that for a minute... That will get oil on the back of the flywheel, unless it just gets slung around inside the clutch housing and ends up dripping or otherwise splattering on the clutch. OTOH, a leaking input shaft seal on the tranny will oil the clutch directly. A leaky distributor o-ring will possibly drip through the seam, and onto the flywheel, but there is still no guarantee that it will get onto the clutch. There are lots of "concave" areas around the distributor. If that's what's leaking, it should be easy to tell. Oil should be puddled there. If you take it all back apart, also check the cam cover. It's also behind the flywheel.
Crap hell just froze over. but what he says is right and I have had the leaking trany main seal go as well while not in a fiero it is also possible.
Steve
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