Expert: Sean Halliday - 2/7/2009

Question
QUESTION: I am in need of advice. I have a 93 chevy s-10 blazer. 4x4 w/4.3 vortex engine. I have a massive oil leak. Oil pressure is good when driving (between 40-60) and drops to 20 when idling. However, oil leak is bad when idling and while driving it smells of burning oil and smokes like crazy? Husband cant find where it is leaking from but when he checked it there was oil dripping off the starter.. Would it be the rear main seal? Valve pan?? Gaskets?? Any help would be most helpful...

ANSWER: It could be the main crank seal and you have 2 of them,one front and one rear as well as the oil pan.There are valve cover gaskets as well to look at and the oil pressure switch.Then the oil filter and housing and basically any gasket or seal on this engine will need inspected as i would be guessing.Best way to find it is steam clean the entire engine and then run it to see exactly where the leak is.It will be hard to see the leak if the engine is covered in dirty oil,this is the method i use and it always works.

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QUESTION: Thanks so much for the response! Being that it is leaking somewhere in the vincinty of the start (which I just had replaced 3 weeks ago), is there a certain area we should focus on first rather than play the hunt and peck game? Also about 2 years ago I had the transmission seals replaced so I am certain it is not tranny fluid. Also, if I keep oil in it at a goed level, will it hurt to drive it in the event of an energency. Reason is that my step is 81 and not in the best of health. It would be ran no more than 2 miles.. Thanks so much again for your help!

Answer
It really depends on how fast you are losing oil.I mean if it drains the sump in say 1 hour then dont drive it.If its a steady drip which takes 2 or 3 days,then it would be safe to drive providing you do not let the oil level drop to where it is critical.If you run the engine dry,it will seize and do all kinds of damage.