Oil Collecting On Engine Side Of Flywheel

I have a fresh, zero mile, reman 360 that I just put in my Jeep. I ran it for 20 minutes for cam break in with no oil leaks. Before shutting it down I noticed the oil pressure gauge was at zero. Naturally I panicked, pulled the pan and oil pump. Long story short, I used the wrong sending unit. I put the timing cover and oil pan back on and now have a major oil leak at the back of the engine. I retried the pan with same results. Now I have noticed that the engine side of the flywheel is collecting oil while sitting. I can't tell or understand where it would be coming from. Is this typical of a rms? I'm hesitant because it is new and didn't leak during the break-in. Thanks for any help.

 

This may seem random... Did it come with a dipstick and tube or did you reuse one from the old engine?

 

I got the dipstick and tube from bulltear.

 

Are you saying this is while engine is not running?

 

Yes. I ended up pulling the cap and found that it is the rms leaking. The problem I have now is that the engine builder used rtv in the seal groove. I need to figure out how to clean it out of the block side without removing the crank.

 

Sponge and vinegar?

 

Wow. Machine shops and engine rebuilders seem to be substandard? Im having a hard time understanding how all these issues that seem pretty basic are problems that people paying good money to "experts" are seeing.

Improper rear main seal, losing engine parts, installing valve guides in backwards...I can wreck stuff all on my own for free. Sure don't need to pay for it.

Good luck.

 

I'd try a "chenille stem" through the passage in the block, around the crank. These are pipe cleaners of various sizes and lengths that you can buy at your local crafts store. Hopefully the silicone is not well-stuck to the block. There is also a tool called a "sneaky pete" Amazon.com: Lisle 27000 Sneaky Pete Tool: Automotive that's used to pull the old rope-style seals through the block passage. This plus some kind of plug of softish material may clear the rtv from the block. Or maybe dragging a rope seal through the groove a few times will clean it.

 

I resent that.

 

RTV in an oil gallery will wreck your engine fast. If you suspect this is the case, you're going to need to drop that crank and see for yourself.

 

Thanks everyone. I’ll try the pipe cleaner first. Is there a solvent I should use to help break the rtv from the block? I’m having a difficult time just getting it out of the cap.

 

All I've got - dissolving rtv - Bing

 

Thanks Tim

 

Can you get a guitar string around it? That would cut the RTV out....

 

x2 I know it will be a lot of extra work but it just might save your engine. I had a 302 ford that picked up a tiny piece of rtv and tried to pass thru the oil pump. It locked the pump. It broke the oil pump shaft and oil press was lost instantly and the engine kept on running. I happened to catch it quickly and shut it down before any damage. If it were my engine I would pull it all apart and make sure there is no more RTV any where in that engine.

 

I don’t think there will be an issue with rtv going through the engine. I am more concerned with any rtv remaining in the rms channel causing a leak.

 

Whatever you do, don't nick the seal surface. The new rear main seal will leak for sure.