freeclowns

i replaced the starter on my 83 gsl and when i took the old starter off. it looked like the new oil that was in the car was running out the starter. so how bad this that and yes i know its bad. how do u fix that. could that be part of the startung problem. is it worth fixing or just buying another motor?

Rogue_Wulff

The oil can be coming from a couple places.
1. The beehive is leaking ( prolly is, but may not be the cause)
2. Rear main seal is leaking.

The beehive is famous for leaking oil, and sits just a short distance above the starter, so oil can run down and get into the starter.
The rear main seal is in front of the flywheel, requiring the trans and flywheel to be removed in order to replace the seal.

freeclowns

ok.. while I was under the car yesterday.. I noticed that the oil pan gasket looked shot and I haven't been able to start it in a couple of months due to the starter being shot.. I noticed that there was oil leaking from the oil pan... I know before you say it that I need to replace the oil pan gasket.. Due to the oil pan gasket leaking can that have something to do with the oil pressure dropping.. Oil pressure sits about 32 psi running hot or cold.. I still have not replaced the vacuum lines to see if that is the problem of having a hard time starting it and holding rpm.. I ordered a Haynes manual yesterday and it will be in later this week.. But will not have a chance to work on it for a bit due to my fiancee having a couple of diffrent surgeries.. Would it be wise to go ahead and replace both seals (gaskets) at the same time? And while the fly wheel is off.. How bad of an idea is it to swap flywheels and transmissions in the cars.. Making the 85 a 5 speed and the 83 an automatic....Just to ask I was told by my uncle that owns a 84 gsl/se that the 85 is oil cooled and the 83 isn't... How easy is it to swap them out? I am not looking for someone to do it.. I am looking to do it myself.. I am trying to learn how to work on it myself..

Rogue_Wulff

Lets get the horse back in front of the cart.....
Swapping from auto to 5 speed is rather involved, but can be done fairly easy, especially when you have 2 complete cars to get the parts from. However, the 84-85 models had a 4 speed auto, which is longer than the previous autos, or the 5 speeds.
If your 85 is the auto, swapping in a 5 speed is a little more complex than the 79-83 models, due to the longer trans. The crossmember sits further back, which complicates things a little. Putting the 85 auto into an earlier model car is also complicated by the same thing. Both jobs can be done, but are not as simple as a 79-83 auto-5 speed swap.
Now, to end any speculation about the engines. 83-85 12A engines are all the same.
Replacing the oil pan gasket is not too difficult, but will not affect the engine starting.
Oil soaked starters don't like to work very well.

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

You can get some electrical cleaner that comes in a spray can made for cleaning alternator and starter parts. Take apart the starter and clean everything. Inspect the brushes for wear, if they are worn just get new brushes.

As far as the oil pressure question, clean the contacts for the wiring and where the wiring attaches. Also check to see if the oil pressure sender unit is leaking.

Rogue is correct on the type of leaks, just adding another possibility. Also verify that it is oil and not trans fluid. Just in case the trans is leaking.

freeclowns

well rx7doc i put a new start on it so i dont think it has oil or trany fluid in it yet. After i put the "new" aka used starter on i only turned it over a lil so that i knew it would work. when i took the old starter off it looked like a good quart came out of the oil starter. i know this for a fac their is oil all over the motor and bottom of the motor and all over really everything. from what i can see its not really leaking. i do not see anything on the ground, but i know its leaking it has 2 be 2 have fresh oil on the bottom of the oil pan.


so i need 2 buy a oil pan gasket, and the other to gaskets. is there any other way oil could get in the block. if there is oil in the block would it save money on just getting a new motor and run new oil and vaccum lins?

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

What I recommend that you do is get some engine degreaser and take the car to the local serve car wash and clean the motor completley. Afterwards you can run the motor and see if you can locate the source.

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

If you are getting engine oil in the starter, it could be from anyone of 3 sources. Oil running down from the beehive/oil filter, rear main seal is leaking, or, if it was a manual tranny, the input shaft seal. 1st, determine if it is engine oil and not tranny fluid. To check for a rear main leak, pull the inspection cover and see if the inside of the bell housing is oil/fluid soaked. The manual trannys have a rubber plug on the bottom of the bell housing. Don't know if the autos do or not.

As much fluid you've found in the starter, when you pull the bell housing plug, fluid should pour if it's the rear main.