serious oil leak

[IndianaVX]

hello again family!
i have been gone for quite some time, and hope that im not thought of poorly as a "only get on when theres trouble" fact is, i still have no computer, and kinda like it.....gives time for other things, (but i do miss all of the vx info)796 unread posts))

well, the foxfire is now on 120,000. running fine, and hasnt had any leak of anything...NOT A DROP!.... i went to work yesterday, and while there, my dad came in and said that i was leaking some antifreeze. i went to look, and it was oil....about a 2' circle of oil on the street.
i check the oil, and its not even on dipstick! so i fill it up, clean, and wipe all oil off the underneath,(it was all covered, a real mess) i start it up, and see a flow of oil coming from between the ac comp bracket, and the engine block.
there is no oil on belts, pullys, or crank pully.
the oil leak must be low on the block, on drivers side, it flows over the "engine pan" on the front side, and down the pan bolts.
i will try to post a picture, but looking for any suggesstions on what this may be.
looking in the service manual, im wondering about the crankshaft position sensor. it looks to be in the area, but i cant see it to really locate it.
this is just so sudden, and such a severe leak.
it has been really cold here, but the truck starts fine, and is still running fine. i dont think that i drove it much with low oil.
so anyway, the library is about to close, trying to type fast.....hope this makes sense. please forgive my absense vx brothers and sisters, but i aint got a clue on this one.
i will hop around to friends computers ect to try to keep up on post.
hope you are all well, and that the new year brings all that you are looking for.
Thank you in advance
David
IndianaVX

[ZEUS]

Wow, that sucks... I haven't a clue what the problem might be either - just didn't want you to think we hated you. Good luck man!

[Ldub]

Wow, that sucks... I haven't a clue what the problem might be either - just didn't want you to think we hated you. Good luck man!

X 2...

Ain't never seen that one before.

Seems to be on the drivers side of the engine? (If I'm looking at the pic right)

Could it be coming from behind the timing belt cover (cam seal)

Sorry, a WAG is all I've got.

[VXorado]

If its an oil leak, I'm with these guys and have no idea

but I can say that my VX had an oil drip that looked very similar and wasn't oil...it was ATF

Mine was leaking from the transmission cooler in the radiator and would accumulate in the same places as yours from dripping+wind while driving. Its worth checking out even though it doesn't look like ATF

[Y33TREKker]

I don't know what your current PCV valve setup is, but you might check the current condition of that valve in case your crankcase pressure isn't being properly vented. Building up excess pressure would have your oil looking to escape from the pan wherever it could, including past any seals/oil pan bolts that weren't properly torqued.

If that were the case, it might look like the oil is leaking from somewhere above the pan, but could actually just be oil that's getting blown upward from the gasket area from the wind as you drive.

One simple possibility anyway.

[PK]

Seeing you guys have bits that are back the front to ours, this might be totally wrong, but -

Is it under the power steering pump - might be that.

PK

[IndianaVX]

i think im gonna start by taking the front end off, and exposing the timing belt area, that way, i can get a better idea of where the leak is coming from.
What timing.....instead of the vx in this new snow storm we got last night, im driving a 2wd chevy s10 my nerves are about shot.

wish me luck!
david

glad im not hated.....thanks guys! I do miss this forum

[nfpgasmask]

I would say that would be the best approach. Remove the pulleys from the front of the VX and pull the timing cover. You should be able to see a lot from there.

If I had to take a guess, I would say it could be a gasket somewhere leaking, or possibly the rear main seal on the back of the motor. Are you 100% sure it is oil and not tranny fluid coming from the cooler lines?

Good luck.

Bart