Oil leak

[Jamey]

My '80 Entertainer has an I/O 350, and it is notorious for dripping oil. It's never enough to lower the level noticeably, even over a long weekend, but I do have to add a little periodically throughout the summer. My issue is with the mess it makes in the bilge area ... I don't think it's coming from the valve cover gaskets ... I feel like it's more likely the oil pan gasket. But how likely are the rear main seals on these engines to leak?

 

[undecided]

My '80 Entertainer has an I/O 350, and it is notorious for dripping oil. It's never enough to lower the level noticeably, even over a long weekend, but I do have to add a little periodically throughout the summer. My issue is with the mess it makes in the bilge area ... I don't think it's coming from the valve cover gaskets ... I feel like it's more likely the oil pan gasket. But how likely are the rear main seals on these engines to leak?

Its funny that this should come up, but when I just pulled my 88Enforcer out of winter storage we were testing it on the hose before I put her in the lake. There was always a small amount of oil in my Engine Area.
As it turns out the little nut on the oil pressure gauge was not completely tightened. THAT was the culprit!!

That may be one thing to check?

Joe

 

[undecided]

Actually to be more specific it was the nut on the engine that leads to the oil presssure gauge.

 

[Jamey]

Now that you mention it, the dipstick tube does have some wiggle to it ... I wonder if it could be something that simple??

 

[Budman]

Drain plug?
I added a remote drain hose to the oil pan and have never been able to keep the oil from dripping in the bilge