Gas in my oil pan

[Dtolson9]

I forgot to turn my gas valve off and it ran into the oil pan then I got a bad oil leak. Any ideas of where to start with fixing the oil leak?

[Mikeinnj]

Yes, drain the oil/gas from the pan and refill the engine with new oil and let it run until warmed up and drain the oil again and then fill with fresh clean oil start it up and look for any leaks, and you should be OK. The residual gas in the engine should evaporate after driving it several miles.The leak most likely was from the dilution of the oil by the gas causing it to leak from places where it would normally not.

[Synchro909]

I take it that there was no oil leak till it was contaminated with fuel. The first thing I would do is drain the diluted oil and refill with fresh, then I'd fix the leaky fuel valve. There is a kit for that - only a very few dollars. I wouldn't run it like this. I expect the leak is because the fuel has raised the "oil level" to above the rear main bearing
What puzzles me though is how did the fuel get into the sump? It can't run uphill from the carby. Do you have a downdraught carby?

[Dick Steinkamp]

I'm trying to figure out how gas can get into the oil pan. Any help?

[Dtolson9]

Awesome I will drain and fill and drain and fill again. Yes I do have a downdraft on the car

[SeaSlugs]

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Originally Posted by Dick Steinkamp

I'm trying to figure out how gas can get into the oil pan. Any help?

Only way I can think of is a downdraft carb with a stick open float valve.... updraft will just leak out all over the floor...

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by SeaSlugs

Only way I can think of is a downdraft carb with a stick open float valve.... updraft will just leak out all over the floor...

That's exactly what I thought and why I asked about it. The float valve needn't be stuck open for this to happen, just a slight leak say, due to wear will do it over time. Obviously, his car was left with a full tank of fuel, otherwise it wouldn't run to the carby.
Anyway, drain the contaminated fuel, refill and go for a drive long enough to evaporate the fuel out of the oil that was in the dipper tray. Keep an eye on the oil level, it will likely drop as fuel is driven out.

[RonC]

Sounds like you have a rear main oil leak.

[James Rogers]

I had the same problem once with my weber. The float and needle/seat in a downdraft will not stop the slight dribble of fuel into the intake without a fuel pump and the fuel line run above the level of the fuel in the tank. Even with a fuel pump, if the line is not run above the fuel level, it will siphon into the carb and fill the pan. I put a small shutoff valve on the line to stop the fuel because the original style shutoff is notorious to not work properly and leak.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by Dtolson9

Awesome I will drain and fill and drain and fill again. Yes I do have a downdraft on the car

Hey David,
It is a good move to buy the best shutoff valve that you can get to prevent recurrence of that problem. In the past, I've tried to 'rebuild' original shutoff valves and found that was not worth effort and/or entirely effective.

There are several styles of good shutoff valves that , although not stock, work great. However, remembering to shut off this valve when not in use is almost as important as a properly working valve.

Did you make that exhaust header ? Looks good

[Art Newland]

I've seen electrically opened valves, are they any good?

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by Art Newland

I've seen electrically opened valves, are they any good?

they do work but eventually have the same issues as the standard shutoff valve if you have rust flakes coming thru then they will eventually damage the needle and seat (spring closed solenoid - power opens the valve) then you have 2 leaky valves...

[James Rogers]

Originally Posted by Art Newland

I've seen electrically opened valves, are they any good?

The one I have is extremely restrictive and won't work with the original wiring unless it is wired to a toggle switch.

[daveymc29]

I and a friend both have the electric shut off. We are very satisfied with them on 31 Model A's. No more going under the hood to turn off the fuel, just flip a switch.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

I consider electric shut off valves as a "POTENTIAL" BOMB!!!!
Scarey Bill W.

[Dino's A]

Don't you just hate it when you cleaned & lubed your shutoff and it works so easy and smooth, and as the months go by she gets a little harder to work until you have to do it all over again? I'm on the every 2 year cycle!

[barkleydave]

Originally Posted by Art Newland

I've seen electrically opened valves, are they any good?

I have the OEM tank valve and also an Electric Shut Off in the fuel line.

When driving around I do not have to worry about gas leaking with the Electric. I still close the tank valve and run engine dry when parking for any extended period of time.

One note: On the instructions for the valve states the Warranty is void if alcohol blended fuels are used.

I normally use only dino gas but have ran alcohol blended on tours when nothing else is available. Since I burn it out in short order my valve seems fine.

I also have a master cutoff switch when I park car for overnight and while in garage.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Dino's A

Don't you just hate it when you cleaned & lubed your shutoff and it works so easy and smooth, and as the months go by she gets a little harder to work until you have to do it all over again? I'm on the every 2 year cycle!

I lapped and greased my tank valve almost 25 years ago, and it still works like new, but I try to use only gas without corn crap in it, and I add MMO to the gas.

[Dino's A]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I lapped and greased my tank valve almost 25 years ago, and it still works like new, but I try to use only gas without corn crap in it, and I add MMO to the gas.

I'm forced to use corn crap so there you go! I also use MMO. But I feel lucky that my state hasn't outlawed Gasoline.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Dino's A

I'm forced to use corn crap so there you go! I also use MMO. But I feel lucky that my state hasn't outlawed Gasoline.

Yes, it is unfortunate that California won't sell good gas. Some guys have used 1 quart of diesel to a tank of crap gas, and they say that helps for vapor lock problems and fuel boiling in the carb. I'm going to try that in my Studebaker and see if it helps.