Oil puddle @ distributor base

[Buddy in Texarkana]

My '88 has a puddle of oil around the distributor base. I can soak it up, and next time I check, it's back. I have called myself looking, but I just can't seem to see where it's coming from. I think I have the valve covers sealed. Is there any way it's coming from where the distributor goes into the block? I have read somewhere that there is an o-ring type seal there. Most folks say that even if it were that, it wouldn't sling that much oil out. Anybody else had this happen. I'm just trying to eliminate as many possibilities as possible before I get around to working on it.

[illegalFSJ]

I haven't seen it much on FSJs, but if the distributor seal leaks, it will leave a oil puddle. Have you inspected/replaced your PCV valve recently? If it's clogged up, your crankcase pressures may be too high, causing oil leaks where there usually aren't any.

[joe]

Originally posted by Buddy in Texarkana:
Is there any way it's coming from where the distributor goes into the block? I have read somewhere that there is an o-ring type seal there.It's not an o-ring but a hard fiber like washer that fits in the machined recess under the dizzy. If it's there(and not ripped up or 20 years old) the dizzy shouldn't leak from there. Lotsa folks though that pull the dizzy and never even see there's a washer there don't replace it with a new one when re-installing the dizzy.

[Stuka]

i bet its an intake gasket leak....

[Buddy in Texarkana]

I replaced it within the last couple of months, so it should be good. I saw somewhere that even though the valve was good, there could be something plugging up the pcv "system" (?). Is there any way to check that short of pulling all those hoses and checking it that way? Could you just take the pcv valve out and feel for pressore or something?

[Buddy in Texarkana]

Thanks for the ideas, I thought it might be the intake, but really wasn't shure. I might try the washer under the distributor first since that sounds easiest. If not, I'll just put that on the list of leaks that keep me parking in the shop instead of the house garage.

[Stuka]

easy to see if its the intake normally, normally leaks from the corners.

[Buddy in Texarkana]

Thanks Stuka. I'll check it out! How about this weather Jan. 2 in NE Tex. and nearly 80 degrees. I had to run the A/C on my wag today. Probably helped it to run it.

[Stuka]

80? sheesh. lots of snowhere heh.