How to verify a crack in the engine block

[REAPER STRAIN]

I believe I have a crack in my engine block behind the flywheel. I have a major oil leak coming from there. I originally thought it was the rear main seal but after changing it several times I have come to the realizaton that it is something more serious. The crack should be located above the crackshaft and below the head gasket. My problem is I cant see the leak in action because its behind the transmission, clutch, and flywheel. You cant start the engine without the transmission mounted because the starter is mounted to the transmission. Also the flywheel will have to go since the leak is behind it. Cant use the starter without the flywheel to turn the crankshaft. Even if I did see it... how would I fix it?

Suggestion and advice please!

[Cyorke]

The best way would be to use some kind of dye in the oil probably. The only thing is you would have to put the dye in then run the engien for a period of time then take the trans off agin and use a black light to determine the location of the leak. Just a note from personal experience. I cant say that I have ever had an engine block crack and leak oil. In my experience when a block cracks it is due to cold weather and the antifreeze not being at the specified levels. When this happens you would then have coolant leaking and not oil. LIke I said this is jsut my personal experience not the rule.

[REAPER STRAIN]

Thanks for the info. I have actually read the same thing regarding the coolant leaking and not the oil. The reason I say it must be a crack is the fact that I have changed the seal several times and the engine has always leaked from the day that I installed it. Perhaps it could have been damaged from the salvage yard where I got if from (being dropped). Anyway, the UV dye is slung all over the place by the spinning flywheel when the motor is running so to see where exactly the leak is coming from (and where its not) after I remove the trans would be almost impossible.

[chronoti]

leak down test?

[Cyorke]

well there is a nother possibility. When seals get old they can from agdove in the crankshaft. WHen this happens it does not matter how many new seals you install it iwll continue to leak. THere is a way to fix it but I am not sure of the name of the product. I have only done this once or twice but, but you have a sleeve that is installed over the crankshaft and then the seal is installed around that sleeve. THis is jsut something else that I though of.
Just a stupid question also. Are you sure it is engine oil and not transmission fluid. IT could possibly be the front seal on the transmission also.

[REAPER STRAIN]

Im just going to save up and get a JDM engine. Its $600 and a lot less guess work.
thanks again

[REAPER STRAIN]

WAIT A MINUTE. Its not a crack. I am missing 2 of the bolits (out of 8) that holds the flywheel to the crankshaft. I knew this when I was installing the flywheel but I didnt think much of it because 6 bolts holding the flywheel seemed sufficient. Little did I know that the bolts were also plugs because the holes in the crankshaft that these bolts fasten to goes all the way THROUGH. They dont "dead end" into the metal as I thought. So basically I had 2 1/2" holes leading straight into the engine.

[Eye8Pussies]

lol....good find....and lucky you

[Gary_602Z]

Gotta love those extra parts laying around huh?


Gary

[skewe]

lucky u for identifying the prob

[REAPER STRAIN]

Yeah, I feel lucky as hell. Come to think of it this just might be the reason my last engine died because it had the same leak because there was only 7 bolts instead of 8 on the flywheel. The reason why I left them off was because the threads were stripped. Painful lessons. I will be under the Mammary again taking the transmission off this weekend.

[REAPER STRAIN]

The leak has been fixed! It was the missing bolts from the flywheel. It took me and my friend 2 hours fix and now there is no more oil anywhere. I gave the enging and undercarriage a good washing with engine degreaser. Thanks for the help.