2000 GT oil leak

[Autoworks]

I have a 3.8 grand prix n/a, and i am losing approximately a qt of oil every 1500 or so miles due to a leak. I see a lot around the general oil pan area, above it as well.

Also, I noticed little smoke coming from the front exhaust manifold.

Could this be leaking from multiple locations? I want to get some tips before I get underneath and start throwing parts at it.

[Scottydoggs]

good chance its all leaking from the front and rear valve cover gaskets.

first thing first though, go get 2 cans of engine degreaser, and clean your engine, top to bottom. like car ramps/jack stands spray under it, and the trans.

if your stock with your air box still, you can literally hose down everything under the hood, just avoid directly spraying the alternator.

after the engine is nice and clean and dry, change your valve cover gaskets. if you have a air compressor blowing off the top 1/2 of the engine will get you working faster. back pack blower, what ever you got.

[FordMan77]

Don't forget to change the valve cover bolt grommets when you do the gaskets or you run the risk of leaking again.

[Autoworks]

It doesnt seem difficult, but what about the oil pan gasket, if it is that?

Also, isnt there a recall for those gaskets?

[Scottydoggs]

nope, just the s.c cars from valve cover gasket. you would not be covered.

the oil pan is leaking oil because the covers are leaking all over everything. (smoke off the front exhaust can only be the valve cover, oil leaks down) after you do the valve covers you will know if your pan is leaking or not.

one step at a time grass hopper.

[Autoworks]

I planned on at least hitting the back one. I even smell a bit of oil fumes through the vents when the air is on.

[Scottydoggs]

do both.

[FordMan77]

Heck, the back one is the hardest one to do, lol... If you do that one then the front is a no-brainer.

[Autoworks]

Well, I did both, and there is STILL a leak. Intake Manifold gasket possibly...?

[Scottydoggs]

you need to clean it up and get under the car and look for a oil trail.

[Autoworks]

I did. There's still a light oil burning smell, and some around the intake manifold area. I lost a qt of oil in just over a month, and I maybe drove 500 miles.

[coolone]

Clean the engine and then get in there up close and take a look around, then you'll know where it is coming from.

Did my lim a year ago, had to redo it as it and the valve covers were leaking again

Its an easy fix tho...

[Scottydoggs]

what v/c gaskets did you use?

i did mine and they started to leak again real fast, back one too. figures rights? so i took it back off, cleaned it and the head up real good, smeared the thinnest smear of rtv on the gasket only, set it back nice, and snugged the bolts evenly as i could.

not torqued, just snugged up good. been dry since.

you see anything hitting the ground when parked?

[Autoworks]

I forgot which brand. I did it back in like August.