2002 Chevy Impala Oil Leak

GOODFELLA1361

MEMBER
2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

I have had this car for several years and have never had a problem with it. Today, I took it to have the oil changed and the mechanic told me that there was oil all over the drip pan, transmission plate, and even on one of the pulleys. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that all the oil buildup was coming from the passenger side of the car and not from the entire engine. I looked underneath the car and noticed that the dipstick had oil residue around it and seemed to indicate the origin of the leak. What I do not understand though, is how the oil could essentially defy gravity and spray the backside of the transmission plate as well as seemingly shoot up the engine. I looked at the head gasket and there does not seem to be a leak in it, although that was recommended as a possible cause of the problem. Is there any explanation for this? Is this common to happen to the 3.8L V6 after a certain time? How can I truely find out where the leak is coming from? Thank you.

Respectfully,
Goodfella1361

3 Replies

MASTERTECHTIM

MECHANIC
4,750 POSTS

For one, there doesnt seem to be too bad of a oil leak. Looks like seepage. The intake manifold gasket will slowly seep oil in the front and rear of it. The first thing you should do is degrease the engine from the top to the bottom and then monitor the oil leak. If its taken 5 years for someone to notice oil residue on engine chances are nothing needs immediate repair. Might just be someone fishing for a job. Clean it and let us know how you make out.

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Sunday, April 13th, 2008 AT 7:04 AM

GOODFELLA1361

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Mastertechim,

I crawled under the car and cleaned up the spent oil residue on the bottom of the car. What I noticed was there was a great amount of it coming from the area between the oil pan and the motor bracket on the car. I checked the intake manifold gasket and nothing seems to be coming from there. The leaky oil pan would explain why the oil pools near the motor bracket and why its predominately on one side of the car. I tightened down the bolts on the oil pan and will run it tomorrow to see if it still leaks. My question is if the leak still exists after tomorrow, should I go ahead and replace the oil pan seal? Or is there something else I can try?

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Sunday, April 13th, 2008 AT 4:28 PM

MASTERTECHTIM