Calling all 3.1 Guru's....

[SmoothSteve3]

Alright, so before I do the whole oil dye process, I need to solve one of the smaller leaks that appears to be coming from multiple hoses on the front side of the engine. Here's what I need to know:

 

Between the starter and the radiator (basically everything in front of the engine), what lines/hoses carry engine oil. There's about 5 or 6 of them that are soaked in oil, so I need to know if they could be leaking...or if they're just catching runoff from whats most likely a blown oil pan gasket. Sorry for the vagueness of my quandry...I'm just not 100% familiar with all the lines in that area, and what they carry. Obviously some are refriderant and some are just electrical wires...I'm just stumped as to why theres oil leaking from this location.

 

-Steve

1990 base lumina 3.1

[GOT2B GM]

if your oil filter tight?

[Brian P]

you may be seeing lines that carry transmission fluid. Those COULD be leaking, or you likely have a front valve cover and/or oil pan gasket leaking. The only other lines in that area are the AC lines.

[3pt1lumina]

x2 check to see if the oil filter is tight. I left it half a turn loose once and it had a leak I couldn't figure out for 3k between oil changes...felt so stupid when I realized what I had done.

[LuminaPower92]

My euro when i first bought it, had a bad leak from the Oil Sender/Sensor.

[GOT2B GM]

My euro when i first bought it, had a bad leak from the Oil Sender/Sensor.

 

x2 I've to replace it in the TGP twice now. Starts dripping and randomly a couple days later turned into a full on stream of drips. Luckily I caught it early and only ran it a quart low.

[LuminaPower92]

My euro when i first bought it, had a bad leak from the Oil Sender/Sensor.

 

x2 I've to replace it in the TGP twice now. Starts dripping and randomly a couple days later turned into a full on stream of drips. Luckily I caught it early and only ran it a quart low.

I hear ya.

 

Leaky Oil Sender =

[Brian P]

ah yeah I forgot about that damn sensor

[slick]

Ya know, last time I pulled out the TGP, there were a few drops of oil on the floor. I bet that's my problem also.

[Night Fury]

My trans lines leaked too!

[PCGUY112887]

I'm not aware of ANY lines/hoses external to the engine that carry motor oil?

 

If it is indeed motor oil, start looking at gaskets/sensor area/oil filter as mentioned above. If it's coming from some lines, it's something else.

[98montels]

If that motor is like myn at all the oil sending unit is on the front of the motor, like others said check that, it's more than likely dripping down on all that stuff. Take a good look at the valve cover also.

[Crazy K]

i had an oil leak due to the oil sensor on the 95. I forgot to tighten it when I pulled it off to check it once...

[SmoothSteve3]

Wow, thanks for all the replies fellas! Living the life of an engineer means that don't have quite as much time to spend on the forums as I'd like :-). So sorry for my tardyness. I'm going to go check the oil filter and senor unit right now...I really hope it was either of them. I can deal with feeling dumb as long as it helps solve my problem.

 

In terms of the valve covers, I'm pretty sure its not them....but I'll give it a look over anyways.

 

In the event that it's the oil pan gasket, has anyone done a write up on such an endeavor? I've always got the Chiltons...but its about as useful as crap.

 

Thanks again everyone...once again, the W-body forums come through!