2003 Malibu oil Leak

[sbriar]

I have a bad oil leak somewhere, I changed the oil and oil filter.

waited about an hour and there were no oil leaks, I started the car and drove it around the block and parked it back in the drive way, after I drove the car the oil was leaking bad on the ground.
It looks like it may be leaking around the starter area, (can't really see) could this be the front seal on the oil pan? if so how hard is this to fix in the driveway?
I have also had to add coolant almost every other day, so I am in the process of putting new gaskets from the heads up and also replacing the oil pan gaskets. Do you all agree that if I do all this it should fix the oil and coolant problem?
Not sure what else to do to save the engine.
Thanks,
Steve

[rkvons]

What kind of engine?

If this is a V6, there is an oil pressure sensor right above the starter. It's hard to see, but you can feel it and you can take the electrical connector off. If it's dripping from oil, this will need to be replaced. Good luck.

[Tech II]

Rkvons is correct...the other spot is the dummy distributor shaft seal......

If 2.4, could be the oil pressure switch in the valley between the cam housings, on the driver's side....

[sbriar]

this is a 3.1 engine, thanks for all your help!
I have took the heads off and they do not look that bad, maybe a slight leakage.
are you saying that the sensor may be leaking the oil?
It does look like the leak is coming from around the top of the starter area.
Could a bad sensor make this kind of oil leak?
thanks for all your Help.
Steve

[Tech II]

You took the heads off to find an oil leak?

[sbriar]

before the oil leak we were having to add coolant daily for about the last two weeks, so this needed to be done anyway, the back cylinders were full of coolant after removing the heads.
The oil leak just made me tear into the engine and try to fix what's all wrong.
Now I just need to find the oil leak.
I took the connector off of the oil pressure sensor like you said and it was dripping with oil inside, could this be spraying oil out? if so I think you have found my oil leak.
Thanks,
Steve

[Tech II]

Yes, it leaks through the contacts in the oil pressure switch, and then passes through the electrical harness.....since you are doing the heads, you should replace the o-ring on the dummy distributor shaft, and also install a gasket at the top......should also replace the thermostat.....good time to do a coolant flush.....replace the ignition plugs....

[rkvons]

Unless you completely drained the coolant out of the block, the water in your cylinders happened when you removed the head bolts and pulled the heads. The water flows through your heads and drained into the cylinders. Also, when you go to put the intake back on, make sure you completely clean the two ends where you must put the black gasket maker. I would use a clean rag and some carb cleaner and really make sure the mating surfaces are clean. Put the bead of gasket maker on and place the intake straight done on it. Don't slide it around after. And let the sealant cure for 24 hours before starting it. Also, you can do your valve stem seals now.