Well today was going good,i came home and parked the monte so i could wash the windows and do some other cleaning. I saw a fluid running out from under the car, but thought nothing of it as it was clear and i had the a/c on. Bit later i noticed all kinds of colors in that water and knew something was up. So after crawling around on the ground here is what i found.

The oil pan(i think) was covered in oil, not dripping but if i rubbed my finger on it i got nice hot oil. I looked at the oil filter and it appears that might be the source of the leak as the back side of it has oil. So my guess is maybe its leaking from there and getting blown onto the pan? Aside from the filter is there anything else that might be the source of my issue?

 

Hi `Keane,
Sorry to read about your leak...Who did the last oil change & put on the filter..If it was not tightened enough, it could be leaking...Also check the oil pan & make sure that all the screws are tight.

It's hard to trace oil sometimes, by the way it can spread from driving...You could wipe it down good & then start your engine & let is run a few minutes to help you pin point the leak...Wish you good luck on finding it / fixing it..

I hope it's not a bad/worn pan gasket, but that's not a major repair to make, but you have to drain all your oil out to do it.
Did you check your oil level ? What did it read ? Good Luck 4-Sure....It's all part of owning a car 4-Real...It happens to everyone sooner or later...

 

Mine's leaking around my drain plug and it'll get around the plug and even run down the pan a bit since I park on a hill.

Run a paper towel around your plug to see if you've got any coming out of there. I just wrapped my plug in teflon tape, until I replace it at the next oil change. Is your filter snugged up? Did you over tighten it?

 

Thanks `Mike, I 4-got about the drain plug & many leaks can come from it...Thanks for posting to help `Keane 4-Sure..
Good advice..I don't know if his drain plug has a gasket or not, but they can also go bad & cause a leak (?) Oh `no

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=bb_icon vAlign=top width=120>
Click to Enlarge





</TD><TD class=bb_descon vAlign=top align=left>Dorman Oil Drain Plug Gasket
<FORM class=bb_fline method=post name=add_cart action=http://www.partsgeek.com/cart/add/><INPUT name=prod_id value=2382776 type=hidden><INPUT name=app_id value=147915 type=hidden><INPUT name=alt_sku value=3553-07123942 type=hidden><INPUT name=part_number value=3553-07123942 type=hidden>Your Price: $1.60
<LABEL class=f11 for=txqty_001>Quantity:</LABEL><INPUT id=txqty_001 name=quantity value=1 size=2>
<INPUT name="add to cart" value="Submit Query" type=submit>
</FORM>




</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=bb_icon vAlign=top width=120></TD><TD class=bb_descon vAlign=top align=left><FORM class=bb_fline method=post name=add_cart action=http://www.partsgeek.com/cart/add/>
</FORM>




</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

Last oil change was done at the shop i always go to, coming up on 3000 miles. I checked the oil on the dipstick and the level is fine so its got to be a rather slow leak. I doubt its the pan plug as theres too much oil forward of the plug. Im gonna keep an eye on things and when it goes back to the shop i'll mention it, i cant quite get at the filter to twist it one way or the other.

 

How long ago has it been since the last oil change? When they opened the pan up, if you don't get that plug out of the way, it'll make the oil splash all over the pan.

I'd say it'd have to be a pretty far jump for the oil to make it from the filter to the pan, but then again, our cars are different, I know I have a few obstacles between my filter and pan.

I'm thinking since it's not showing a drop on your dipstick you're not really loosing all the oil you're finding. Only other thing I can think of, do you see oil on your valve cover? It could be coming out and dripping down.

 

Make sure it's not the oil pressure switch/sending unit. Most the times when those fail on a 3100/3400 they blow oil out the connector. Any time I've changed one, it's ALWAYS been by touch (I just changed the one on my '02 Grand Am GT). You MUST have the oil pressure sensor socket (yes it's a special socket and my attempts to change it on a 3100/3400 without the socket fails).

The sensor is about $5 (at least from RockAuto) and takes 5 minutes or so to change. If you are looking at the front of the motor, it's off center towards the driver's side of the engine, below the exhaust manifold. If you reach under that spot and find a connector in a cylinder shaped object, that's it.

You can check if it's bad by if it's covered in oil is a good clue. Other way (and use EXTREME caution), disconnect the harness, have someone start the car, then use a mirror to get a look at the connector on the sensor. If it's bad you will see oil oozing or shooting out of it.

It may not be your leak, but it's a good spot to check on a higher miles car.

I've also known failed LIM gaskets to allow some oil seepage (heck original TSB I ever read on the 3100 in the early 90's said that about 1-1.5 quarts of oil "consumption" between 3,000 mile oil changes is NORMAL, later followed with "1-1.5 quart oil consumption complaints, inspect LIM gaskets".