Got a new problem with my 2002 3.4 monte. Opened the hood tonight and noticed oil on the right side of the radiator. The serpintine belt is throwing it foreward and hitting the radiator. Had a light looking for leak but can't seem to pin point it. Anyone ever have this problem?

 

have you checked your power steering fluid and oil?

 

Power steering full. Appears to be motor oil and dip stick showed about pint low. It is also clean oil no anti-freeze

 

It also only seems to be leaking while running?

 

Maybe valve cover gasket, or maybe crank seal. Both should be cheap if you do it yourself, I would lean more towards crank seal. Inspect and feel around the pulley side let us know were think its coming friom. Make sure engines off while doing so of course .

 

If it's the crank seal how big of a job is it? I live in an apartment and have limited resources

 

Changing the seal isn't too bad a job. It's behind the harmonic balancer so you would need to pull that along with the belt. I don't have a 3.4 to look at to give you a detailed description. I was thinking the oil filter might be loose too adn spraying oil on the belt but I'n not sure exactly where the filter is on the 3.4. the crank seal seems like the most likely answer.

 

The belt throwing oil.... I have not seen that on a 3100/3400.... I know the lower intake gaskets can fail and allow oil to seap out, but it won't be under pressure, so it should not be shooting to the belt.

I'd be curious to see what happens with this one....

 

It is definatly motor oil. Also the hood pad is soaked with oil right in line with the belt. All behind the crank pully there is oil but I can't tell where it is coming from. I even tried looking with a mirror but still don't see the problem. I'll try and get some pics.

 

definitely sounds like a crank seal. I don't have a 3.4 either, but you'll probably have to remove the splash guard, belt, and balancer. Then it should be the seal, fyi the balancer is gonna be on there pretty tight. You could probably do it outside but that's your call.