I have a 02 Grand Am. I notcie oil on the ground this morning and check to see where is it coming from. I looked under the hood and saw it coming out from the rubber valve cover that hold the engine top plate n bottom plate together. I don't see any antifreeze leak just oil. My car is running fine. No over heating, no burning or funny smells, and no heavy smoke coming out the tale pipe. My question: Do u think it's just a wore out valve cover or a broken head gasket? If a gasket, would oil leak from the engine and more than one place?
2006-12-08 02:08:08 · 8 answers · asked by jayfrezzy 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Your valve cover and your head gasket are two different things.
Since your car is running "fine", the problem is probably an oil leak from your Valve cover. This is a rubber gasket just below the.. valve cover. About 5 inches from the top of the engine.
CLEAN it off completely with a rag, and a little dish detergent and water. It will reappear again in a day or two after driving. PROOF.
If you have a "blown head gasket" you will have all of the problems you said you DONT have.
Do the repair of the valve cover gasket yourself. It's easy and you'll be proud of yourself.
2006-12-08 02:10:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What your talking about sound like the Lower Intake Manifold Gasket - a chronic source of leaks on GM 3.1L and 3.4L V6 engines. These usually leak coolant but I have seen them leak oil too - saw a massive oil leak once on an Alero with only 12k miles on the clock!
When replacing the Lower Intake Manifold Gasket its not a bad idea to do the intake bolts, valve cover gaskets, distributor shaft seal, heater hose quick release, thermostat and EGR gasket as well. At my shop we don't charge any extra labor to replace those parts since it is so easy to do with the manifold off and its cheaper to do it then than later. And you should change the oil and flush the coolant too when your done, just in case either has been contaminated by the other. Depending on labor rates in your area that could come to around $900.
GM dealers follow a TSB procedure which includes just replacing the intake gasket and nothing else. Costs a few hundred less but obviously not quite as thorough.
2006-12-08 02:20:46 · answer #2 · answered by Naughtums 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have you added oil lately or changed the oil filter, it might be comming from somewhere else. Remenants of putting oil in for example.
Most old engines leak oil, it depends how much oil is leaking. If its like 1 liters a day then you need a new gasket otherwise your going ot need a new engine soon.
There are aditives which stop some oil leaks, take a look at that option before doing expensive repairs.
2006-12-08 02:11:55 · answer #3 · answered by Ganymede 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends, its hard to tell where the oil is leeaking from your description. it's probably the gasket on the valve cover. a worn valve wouldnt cause an oil leak. either the gasket is cut and needs replacing or the valve cover needs tightening. refer to the owners manual fot the tightening if your comfortable with the job, otherwise you could allways take it to a mechanic and ask him/her to check it. stick around while theyre checking it, see what it looks like for yourself, and ask them questions if your not sure about something.
2006-12-08 02:17:44 · answer #4 · answered by little-J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
initiate small. carry on with the top gasket concept. 1st verify valve conceal gaskets. check out the top and see if there is an oil stain, stick to it as much as the place that's exiting(verify above exhaust manifold). A head gasket might maximum in all probability blend fluids(port leaping). verify that the motor oil and antifreeze are the terrific option colour. if antifreeze is interior the oil it could have a chocolate milkshake colour. comparable with the antifreeze. oil n water do no longer blend, you may have the skill to tell somewhat rapid with the help of observing it. as quickly as the priority is repaired you will nevertheless have smoke till the oil is thoroughly burnt of the warm factor of the engine. wish this helped. stable success.
2016-10-14 06:38:08 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it sounds like the valve cover gasket. try tightening the bolts, if that doesn`t help probably needs new gasket. not a major problem.
2006-12-08 02:18:02 · answer #6 · answered by sheryl m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably just need to tighten head gasket cover.if that doesn't work replace gasket.
2006-12-08 02:22:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its probably just the gasket.depends where the gasket is broke.
2006-12-08 05:09:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋