3.4L Oil Leak

[Backfire]

I have been trying to track down an oil leak on my car. I became aware of it from the smell of burning oil after a drive. The oil is dripping on the y-pipe right before the two sides join. There was a little oil around the drain plug that dripped to the back of the pan, but there wasn't a whole lot there. There is a good deal of oil on the two bolts for the starter and on the bottom of the starter. Could there be leak from the starter itself or do you think the oil is falling onto it from above. I haven't seen any signs of leaking from the valve covers, but that doesn't mean it's not. There is a dime/nickel sized drop on the ground after each night too. Any suggestions or past experience with a similar problem?

[MustangEater8251]

I would guess valve covers, ot maybe a head gasket, but hope for vavle covers.

Join the clun on 3.4L oil leaks [img]smile.gif[/img]

[stagen]

Either that or the oil gear drive that sits on the top/back of the block on the passengers side.

[Backfire]

Well, after investigating some more, there is some oil on the rear of the oil pan, but not a lot. There is a drop that forms on the bottom of the converter shield, and still alot on the starter bolts. After removing the converter shield, the oil looks to run down the sides of the shield to the bottom. There is no sign of oil on the flywheel at all. Would there be if it was a main seal problem? I cleaned up the under side, trans, shield, oil pan, etc., as well as I could. I am going to check it again in a few days to see if I can trace it any easier. The fact that there is oil on the starter makes me think the leak is from higher up than the main seal. Is it possible for oil to get from the pan/main seal over to the starter?

[TheV6Bird]

Originally posted by Backfire:
Well, after investigating some more, there is some oil on the rear of the oil pan, but not a lot. There is a drop that forms on the bottom of the converter shield, and still alot on the starter bolts. After removing the converter shield, the oil looks to run down the sides of the shield to the bottom. There is no sign of oil on the flywheel at all. Would there be if it was a main seal problem? I cleaned up the under side, trans, shield, oil pan, etc., as well as I could. I am going to check it again in a few days to see if I can trace it any easier. The fact that there is oil on the starter makes me think the leak is from higher up than the main seal. Is it possible for oil to get from the pan/main seal over to the starter?

So did you eventually find your leak? I'm about to takle a project like this because your situtation sounds just like mine (oil smell after a drive, dime sized drop on the ground all the time)

[98Camaro3.8]

The guy hasn't even posted on this site in over a year.

[BiH]

haha OWNED