What could possibly cause a MAJOR oil leak in my car

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: pyonir
eek...the 3800 engine...i had a car with one of those...*flashbacks...nightmares resume*

exactly what I have heard from others about the 3800!

 

[rstove02]

Hmm....several years back I had a 1990 Buick Skylark that all of a sudden would go through oil like no ones business. Added to the fact that the oil tended to get all over the various parts of the engine. Took it to repair guy and at first he suggested that maybe I left the oil cap or oil check line not secured.

Told him it was not the case and had him clean the engine and refill the oil and check again. He found that a component on the engine (belt IIRC) had worn a hole in the side of the oil pan and it leaked out from there and threw the oil all over the engine. Having him clean the engine allowed him to better spot the leak since oil was all over the place.

 

[funboy6942]

Crank seal or valve cover gasket or oil pump filter housing.

Update and lmk what I won.

 

[WinXP]

sorry error on my part with double post.

 

[WinXP]

Has the pcv valve ever been replaced on the motor ? On top of the intake manifold there is a small black cap with 2 bolts in it. You will need a needle nose pliers to pull it out to replace. When these get plugged up cause oil leaks all over the motor. A motor is like a air pump, when the pistons travel up an down builds pressure inside the block. When the pcv (positive crankcase venalation valve) gets stopped up, the internal pressure build up causing blew by thru gaskets an seals. I would replace this before starting any major work an see what happens. Cost about 5.00 for one which most people an place do not replace.

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: pyonir
eek...the 3800 engine...i had a car with one of those...*flashbacks...nightmares resume*

lemme guess....upper intake manifold?