[alfa] mystery oil leak

[Ken Tubman <ktubman@xxxxxxx>]

I took my '77 spider out last week.  It has been sitting for a few weeks 
(at least, maybe more).  When I got to the end of the driveway I looked 
forward again and saw a trail of oil from the garage all the way to the car 
- about 4 or 6 car lengths.  It was a continuous line of oil - not just 
drips - from near the center line of the car.  I immediately pulled back 
in, lifted the front end of the car and got under to look for the 
source.  There was a lot of oil on the cardboard I leave under the car in 
garage.    (I can't honestly say the oil wasn't there before I went 
out.)  The oil seemed to be near the back of the engine.  The drain plug 
was still in, the oil filter wasn't cracked or loose - there was no oil 
around or under it.  I couldn't  see an obvious source.  There was oil 
around the transmission and a some drops on the bottom side of the oil pan, 
but the car isn't free of oil at the best of times.

Today I tried again to find the leak.  With the car still lifted in the 
front I added more oil so I could start it and not worry about low oil.  I 
started it and there were no leaks.  Certainly nothing like the large 
amount of flow that left a line as I drove out of the driveway.  I couldn't 
see anything dripping.  The car was idling very low and poorly, but that 
might be unrelated.  I took the car off the jack stands and, of course, now 
it's over-full with oil.  The transmission was very low on fluid so I added 
about 1/2 a quart.

When I start the car again, put it in gear and move it there is still no 
leak.  I'm confused.  I don't understand how so much oil could come out one 
time and apparently nothing now.  Could sitting for a while have cause a 
gasket to leak until it moistened up?  That has never happened when it sits 
all winter so it doesn't seem right that a few weeks would do it.  Any ideas?
________________
Ken Tubman
ktubman@domain.elided 
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