Got my new motor installed and fired up tonight. Appear to have a leak in the timing cover

[the_dude]

1997 sunsetter, Brand new GM vortec marine long block. This comes assembled with the front timing cover, harmonic balancer and water pump.

I fired up the boat tonight and everything was going great until I noticed fresh oil in the bilge. Traced the leak back to the front of the motor at the timing cover.

On the even cylinder side of the motor it looks like there is maybe a 1/8 npt size hole and right above it is maybe a half inch smooth bore hole. This is near the bottom of the timing cover on the side. I don't have the old engine in front of me so my question is, did I forget to transfer some plugs from the old engine timing cover?

Anyone know what the heck I'm talking about?

Thanks

[the_dude]

Hmm maybe a crank position sensor could go there? How do I plug it?

[99response]

Are you describing the place where an older style low pressure fuel pump would go?

There is a crank sensor but I assume it would have been hard to miss when pulling apart the wiring harness.

[Bill_AirJunky]

What about the hole the dipstick tube goes in? I'm sure thats a smooth bore hole but 1/2" seems a bit large.

Edited May 7, 2009 by Bill_AirJunky

[bigD]

I can only think of the bolt that you pull out and replace with a longer one to hold the fuel pump push rod when swapping out the mechanical fuel pump.

Is it pressurized oil shooting out or just kinda oozing ?

[the_dude]

Are you describing the place where an older style low pressure fuel pump would go?

There is a crank sensor but I assume it would have been hard to miss when pulling apart the wiring harness.

Yes it would be, especially since my boat doesn't use a crank position sensor However, in doing google searches about vortec composite timing covers I've heard reference about a crank position sensor so I guess some motors do. Since mine didn't and the NEW motor came with the timing cover installed I didn't notice anything here.

What about the hole the dipstick tube goes in? I'm sure thats a smooth bore hole but 1/2" seems a bit large.

The dipstick tube goes into the block. I'm talking about the timing cover.

I can only think of the bolt that you pull out and replace with a longer one to hold the fuel pump push rod when swapping out the mechanical fuel pump.

Is it pressurized oil shooting out or just kinda oozing ?

the mechanical fuel pump bolts up to the block. I'm talking about the timing cover.

FYI the engine is the MPFI Monsoon motor.

[the_dude]

I found the cover in the GMPP catalog.

I've circled the area on the cover that I'm revering to. On the side of the cover there, there are two holes that I now am sure relate to a crank position sensor. I need to block it off somehow. Anyone have experience with this?

[bigD]

I can only think of the bolt that you pull out and replace with a longer one to hold the fuel pump push rod when swapping out the mechanical fuel pump.

Is it pressurized oil shooting out or just kinda oozing ?

the mechanical fuel pump bolts up to the block. I'm talking about the timing cover.

Thought it was on the front of the block by the cover Didn't realize it was actually ON the cover, sorry.

Guess they forgot something when they shipped your engine, Call them.

[the_dude]

Thought it was on the front of the block by the cover Didn't realize it was actually ON the cover, sorry.

Guess they forgot something when they shipped your engine, Call them.

No problem. I did call them earlier and they said GM is now shipping the motors without the plug because of demand for that port to not be plugged. He then points to the website where it says the following:

NOTE: It should be noted that the Vortec 5.7L longblocks are supplied WITHOUT a crank position sensor in the front timing chain cover. Therefore you must remove your existing crank position sensor and re-install it in the timing chain cover of the new longblock, otherwise the engine will leak oil out of this open hole. If your old engine did not utilize a crank position sensor you must purchase one to plug this hole as it requires this special o-ring type seal.

I told him, great but I wasn't online when installing this engine and none of the actual papaerwork that came with the engine stated this.

[the_dude]

Well after striking out everyhwere trying to find a 3/4" freeze plug I found a dealership technition who gave me a junk sensor for free to use as a plug.

I'm back in business. Time to take the boat for a break in run tomorrow!

[Malibuzer]

Have fun on the break in! Let us know how it runs. It should be quite a noticeable difference from the old one!!