Oil on Water Pump

[GalDemSuga]

I just had a new 350 installed about 10 Days ago. Its leaking oil somewhere upfront. I can see oil on the water pump and on top of the harmonic balancer. I also noticed that a bolt is missing from the accessary bracket just above the water pump. Could a missing bolt be the cause of this leak?

 

[dyeager535]

On my Vortec heads (which I think were factory rejects to be honest, seller didn't tell me, but they were new) it appears the casting was bad, as when GM tapped the accessory holes, most punched into the rocker arm area. So without a bolt in every hole, AND thread sealer, they leak oil.

Just a bolt won't stop the problem IF that's it (which is a remote chance IMO) since the threads are a path for the oil to travel.

Check your intake manifold to block seal, and the oil plug that may or may not be in that area as well. Timing cover isn't leaking is it? Bad timing chains can wear a hole in the cover.

 

[GalDemSuga]

On my Vortec heads (which I think were factory rejects to be honest, seller didn't tell me, but they were new) it appears the casting was bad, as when GM tapped the accessory holes, most punched into the rocker arm area. So without a bolt in every hole, AND thread sealer, they leak oil.

Just a bolt won't stop the problem IF that's it (which is a remote chance IMO) since the threads are a path for the oil to travel.

Check your intake manifold to block seal, and the oil plug that may or may not be in that area as well. Timing cover isn't leaking is it? Bad timing chains can wear a hole in the cover.

This motor is 10 days old (since being installed and had been sitting for a year since it was rebuilt). Everything on it is new. I checked the intake for leaks and there are none. I checked the oil pressure switch area, no leaks. The oil filter is leaking at the adapter and block, so I purchased the gasket kit to install. The timing cover and gaskets arent leaking from what I can see. That missing bolt may be the leak cause upfront and a bad (new) rear main seal may be the cause for a leak in the back.

It just blows to still have leaks after installing a new motor.