56 Buick engine oil leak?

[56 Buick]

Hi all

 

I am hoping someone with more knowledge than me is able to help regarding what appears to be an engine oil leak.  Attached is a photo of the area where oil is accumulating.  I am looking at buying the car and I am hoping someone may be able to identify a common leak and the cost in fixing it? 

 

Thanks

 

Drew

 

 

[Bhigdog]

Rear engine seal is leaking. Quite common problem. Fixes range from replacing the seal, which requires removing the engine, to parking it over a piece of cardboard in the garage, and a bunch of things in between. some. I'll let everyone else tell you their approach. Some work. Some don't. And some do sometimes...........Bob

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

IF it is the rear main seal, it can be replaced/repaired without removing the engine!  old-tank, on this forum, has a fix documented on his web site. Check it out.

 

  Without more pictures, difficult to say where it is coming from, but my wag is a valve cover gasket leaking. Easy and cheap if so.  But as Bob says, one can live with it. Cars of that time frame leaked/seeped oil. If that is the only problem ,would not be a deal breaker for me.

 

  Ben

[JohnD1956]

If the heads have been off, then it could be seepage at the port delivering oil to the rocker arms. This is identified as a very slow leak generally coating the engine block from the front to the back with excess coming off the bottom of the oil pan on the drivers side. It is a rear side leak on the passengers side. The engine would have to be cleaned to get a fix on where the leak is on this car.

[56 Buick]

Thanks all. There does appear to be some leakage from an oil line plug located near the rear drivers side of the block.  Not sure what that line/plug is for. And there well could be other sources of leaking. I think I will have to take the chance and clean it all up after purchase and review.

[Beemon]

As long is it doesn't leak a quart of oil every 130 miles, you should be fine. Whenever I drive to and from school, I always buy 3 quarts of oil - one leaving home, one at mid-way fuel up and one on arrival... if you go 500 miles without leaking a quart, don't sweat it.