"Firewrx234" (firewrx234)
08/29/2013 at 12:25 • Filed to: Oil Crisis
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33|
"Firewrx234" (firewrx234)
08/29/2013 at 12:25 • Filed to: Oil Crisis | 0
| 33 |
UPDATE: I have checked the oil and coolant levels, both appear to be within spec. I was not able to find the source of the leak and it appears that it will leak after any amount of driving. I reiterate that the substance is oil sheened, thin, and (to my nose) odorless.
Seriously without any warning or any spots at home it suddenly did this at work...I just don't understand.
It happened a week or so ago if any of you remember but it stopped on its own and was no longer an issue. Well today after my break I saw this. It only took two hours of sitting for this.
It has a beautiful colorful look like oil but seems a lot thinner and not as slick as I would have expected.
Thoughts, opponauts?
6cyl
> Firewrx234
08/29/2013 at 12:29 |
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gas?
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Firewrx234
> 6cyl
08/29/2013 at 12:31 |
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Nah, seems too odorless
desertdog5051
> Firewrx234
08/29/2013 at 12:31 |
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Why that is supercharger fluid. You must have not drained the excess in a while.
Joe_Limon
> Firewrx234
08/29/2013 at 12:33 |
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Did you move the vehicle? or is it just on the ground slightly out from under your car when you found it? It might not be your fluids, another car might have had a little bit of a premature ejaculation of the sight of your glorious supercharged grand prix.
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Firewrx234
> Joe_Limon
08/29/2013 at 12:41 |
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I backed up for a better view
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Firewrx234
> desertdog5051
08/29/2013 at 12:42 |
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Please go on, I'm listening...
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Joe_Limon
> Firewrx234
08/29/2013 at 12:44 |
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That's a shame, might be coolant. The only way to know for sure is to get on your hands and knees and feel/look around. Even if the leak stopped, it'll still have a dark spot showing the origin.
deekster_caddy
> Firewrx234
08/29/2013 at 12:47 |
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oil pan gasket?
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deekster_caddy
> desertdog5051
08/29/2013 at 12:48 |
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SC is on the other end of that motor.
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deekster_caddy
> Firewrx234
08/29/2013 at 12:50 |
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Note there was a recall on some 3800s for the valve cover gasket - oil leaks would pool up above the valve cover and drip when you stopped. If you stopped hard it was possible for the oil to pour onto the exhaust manifold causing...
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Firewrx234
> deekster_caddy
08/29/2013 at 12:52 |
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No I actually scooted to the right a foot or so
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deekster_caddy
> Firewrx234
08/29/2013 at 12:53 |
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hmmm. which way is 'right' in that picture?
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Firewrx234
> deekster_caddy
08/29/2013 at 12:55 |
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I moved to where the little spot is. It showed up then I noticed the big one from before my scooting.
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deekster_caddy
> deekster_caddy
08/29/2013 at 12:57 |
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The best way to tell is to get under there and see what's wet.
Front of engine - could be timing cover/front seal, rear of engine - could be rear main seal.
Valve cover leaks, intake manifold gaskets, oil pan gaskets leaking could come from either end...
most common leaks on 3800s are VC and intake gaskets (although intake gaskets usually don't leak oil externally)
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deekster_caddy
> Firewrx234
08/29/2013 at 12:59 |
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From the way the little spot dripped/splashed I'm suspecting coolant. The plastic coolant elbow from lower intake manifold to alternator bracket is a very common culprit. There is an aluminum replacement available now, highly highly recommended if that's where your leak is. Look under the SC Snout for the little plastic elbow. Check your coolant level!
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Firewrx234
> deekster_caddy
08/29/2013 at 13:01 |
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K thanks
Nibbles
> deekster_caddy
08/29/2013 at 13:17 |
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BLUH BLUH HUGE BITCH I really wish the Cancel button would, you know, cancel the post. The best version of their new editor still sucks eggs.
Anyway don't think it's the VC gaskets on this one. Need to correlate more evidence to complete this (originally cancelled) post.
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deekster_caddy
> Nibbles
08/29/2013 at 13:18 |
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he said that he moved over as well. See other thread - I'm thinking coolant elbow.
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Nibbles
> deekster_caddy
08/29/2013 at 13:19 |
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Check my post again, with new edited goodness!
Meatcoma
> Firewrx234
08/29/2013 at 13:40 |
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Headlight fluid. Definitely headlight fluid.
Tstanisch
> Firewrx234
08/29/2013 at 14:48 |
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Is that a 98' GTP?
And did you happen to just buy it recently?
Seriously, I think that was my buddies car. Should have a missing GTP emblem missing on the door
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Firewrx234
> Tstanisch
08/29/2013 at 16:49 |
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99 GTP and I've had it for a year
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deekster_caddy
> Firewrx234
08/30/2013 at 11:06 |
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So what did you find?
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Firewrx234
> deekster_caddy
08/30/2013 at 11:12 |
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Nothing :/ I'm kind of upset about the whole thing. Lots of components crammed in that little space and no real good way to see what it could be. I tried checking all the fluids and they all seem ok. Oil is a little low for my liking but prob not the culprit. Coolant, it seems fine but can't tell through terrible coolant tank with no visible "Cold/Hot" markings on the side. I was going to check the power steering fluid but once again foiled by crammed spaces. Power steering reservoir is actually hidden in the back of the engine below the alternator and heating hoses. Seriously, this is ridiculous. Also the supercharger doesn't seem to be the issue. Not enough grime around it. Water pump looks a little grimy but once again, I can't tell really well through the disaster of mechanical parts in my way. It truly is insane.
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Tstanisch
> Firewrx234
08/30/2013 at 11:16 |
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Darn, my buddy sold it recently from the Milwaukee area, would have been funny if it was his.
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Firewrx234
> Tstanisch
08/30/2013 at 11:20 |
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That would have been pretty crazy but this is actually my second one since March 2012. I liked my other one better except for the major body damage and mismatched wheels. It just seemed to have more power and more...personality. This one just seems to be pissed about everything and only books it if I really try. Also the other one was a beautiful "Dark BronzeMist" stupid name but a very apt description of the color. Don't see many in that color but see a ton in this red.
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deekster_caddy
> Firewrx234
08/30/2013 at 11:22 |
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A good flashlight will help a lot - fresh wet will be more shiny than everything else.
Could be worth hosing it all down with a few cans of degreaser. A clean engine is much easier to find the leaks on.
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Firewrx234
> deekster_caddy
08/30/2013 at 11:24 |
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Yeah, I was waiting til I got paid this morning before investing in car supplies. That's the next stop in my journey. Also, it leaked at every place I stopped yesterday. But WILL NOT leak today. I was fully prepared to get a good sample of it and everything else but no...nothing. Even after a 10 minute drive. Stupid elusive leak.
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Tstanisch
> Firewrx234
08/30/2013 at 11:26 |
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yeah, my buddy was started to gain a lot of problems, got rid of it this past spring. They still quite fast i believe 240 hp with the ss on it, I got an impala with 245hp and it'll still smoke me, but but I still have a higher top end, i believe the gtp tops at 115
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Firewrx234
> Tstanisch
08/30/2013 at 11:30 |
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Yeah 240 hp, 280 torque and around 3350 lbs. Not bad at all. Honestly they do quite well for themselves stock.
I've been wanting to add a CAI to mine so I could get a little more of that beautiful Super whine...but alas, bills.
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Tstanisch
> Firewrx234
08/30/2013 at 11:36 |
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And there good in the snow
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Firewrx234
> Tstanisch
08/30/2013 at 11:38 |
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Phenomenal in the snow. Tbh, I was expecting it to slide a lot more than it does. It really hunkers down and holds its ground.
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Tstanisch
> Firewrx234
08/30/2013 at 11:47 |
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Oh definetly, driven in a foot of snow durring a whiteout, handled like a boss.