Oil seeping

[silverbullet04]

So I have a minor oil seepage problem going on in this area. Its not the valve cover gasket because I just replaced it last week. I put some gasket maker in this area to try to track it down and it stopped it a bit. Any ideas? I'm thinking maybe the intake manifold gasket?

 

[TheChristian]

I have a thing or two to say about the 3800 series 2 3.8 intakes , yes they are leakers but only if you have never done the lower and upper intake gaskets , I’ve done at least 4 of them and they were all leaking oil from mostly the upper intake manifold gaskets , I find it to be a fun project because there isn’t an easier motor to do this operation on than the 3.8 . You will want to put new elbow coolant pipes and a few other things you can do while changing intake gaskets like remove and clean your throttle body , check your egr , most that have never been replaced will be clogged at intake , but yes definitely the intake is leaking oil , don’t damage your intake as it’s brittle and is in two pieces , the after market intakes are all warped and chances of finding a straight one are slim .

 

[silverbullet04]

Hows this kit look?

Amazon.com: FEL-PRO MS 98014 T Engine Intake Manifold Gasket Set for Buick LeSabre : Automotive

Buy FEL-PRO MS 98014 T Engine Intake Manifold Gasket Set for Buick LeSabre: Intake Manifold - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

a.co

 

[TheChristian]

That’s the one I and most mechanics use because it’s molded over aluminized gasket .

 

[silverbullet04]

That’s the one I and most mechanics use because it’s molded over aluminized gasket .

Alright it looks like im gonna do the job. The seeping is so tiny, that I thought I could avoid this job and maybe something else could be done to stop it, like checking bolts and what not.

 

[TheChristian]

You’ll want to rent or borrow a small 1/4 drive inch pounds torque wrench as the bolts on your upper intake are crucial to not over tighten or you will crack the plastic intake and have to get a used one from the salvage yard .
After you reinstall everything make sure to remove oil cap and make sure there’s no suction , if there is then the upper intake isn’t seated properly on the gasket surface . And will leak oil .

 

[TheChristian]

Once you get into it you’ll see how easy it is to do . There’s plenty of how to guides on this operation like Chiltons online manual which is free to access. Just to note there’s a bolt on the right rear upper that’s hidden and also one or two bolts on the lower intake that are hidden as well and will be under a pool of oil . Important to note that once you remove lower intake you will find a dead end water jacket that is open on the head but dead ends at the lower intake and you will need to clean out the ports as they will be clogged from coolant muck .

 

[TheChristian]

The gaskets were inferior from the get go , most begin leaking at about 70,000 miles

 

[silverbullet04]

The gaskets were inferior from the get go , most begin leaking at about 70,000 miles

Seems easy to do. Just annoying lol. I really didn't want to do it because it was seeping so little. I figured I could just dab a bit of gasket maker on the edge and it would stop.

 

[02LTD2.0]

Seems easy to do. Just annoying lol. I really didn't want to do it because it was seeping so little. I figured I could just dab a bit of gasket maker on the edge and it would stop.

If only it was that easy. 😉

 

[silverbullet04]

If only it was that easy. 😉

Wishful thinking right? Haha

 

[silverbullet04]

Ordered new gaskets. Im gonna try to get this done either this week or next weekend. Ill update here once completed.

 

[ulycyc]

I would wash the whole area down with brake clean then make sure exactly what a wear its leaking. Oil can travel in mysterious ways.

 

[silverbullet04]

I would wash the whole area down with brake clean then make sure exactly what a wear its leaking. Oil can travel in mysterious ways.

Indeed. I did that today and found 3 spots seeping. 2 areas from the front gasket and 1 area from the rear. New gaskets will be here Monday and ill change them out probably Saturday morning.

 

[ohioriver]

Mbe shoot a few photos on the job?

 

[silverbullet04]

Mbe shoot a few photos on the job?

I will and post them here after im done. Ill most likely have it done by Saturday afternoon.

 

[silverbullet04]

Ill also do a fresh oil change after the job is done. I read its recommended after doing intake manifold gaskets.

 

[TheChristian]

Every time before I do that operation I go through the car wash and blast the whole area top and around intake that way you don’t have crap falling into your engine upon removal even though some scoff at that I’ve never had any issues and my work areas were nice and dirt free . Definitely a good time to flush coolant as dexcool tends to gell over time . I recommend dropping oil pan which is fairly easy and give it a good clean , it has a removable baffle and you will appreciate having a clean oil pan and knowing if there’s any metal in there .

 

[TheChristian]

Oh heck while your down there drain and drop that tranny pan and change that filter , I’m sure it needs it , pan holds exactly 7 quarts . You can use the new dex 6 which has the anti foaming agents in it and since transition system holds 14+ quarts just change it again at next oil change to get rest of old fluid out , I’m ocd and I do it three times total at oil change intervals.

 

[silverbullet04]

Oh heck while your down there drain and drop that tranny pan and change that filter , I’m sure it needs it , pan holds exactly 7 quarts . You can use the new dex 6 which has the anti foaming agents in it and since transition system holds 14+ quarts just change it again at next oil change to get rest of old fluid out , I’m ocd and I do it three times total at oil change intervals.

My transmission was actually just rebuilt about a month ago.