1995 Lumina with 3.4L DOHC + leaking oil distribution cover

rurbasic · 10-21-2006, 08:52 PM

This 3.4L V6 DOHC engine is rare. Also known as the Monte Carlo engine.

My copy of this engine has an oil leak and I believe that it is coming from what is called the oil distribution cover. This is between the heads and below the intake manifold which acrobaticly rests between the two heads. There is a strange shape molded into the cover which I believe is an oil channel. Note that this engine is known to have an oil leak gushing from the sealed-off hole where the distributor once attached. This was also known as the oil pump shaft. This is not the case with my engine as it is sealed with silicon here and not leaking.

I have not been able to remove this cover to replace the gasket which would fix the oil leak. I'm seeking instruction on how to remove this cover. I don't wish to remove the heads and I prefer not to remove the power steering pump. However, removing the power steering pump would give me access with a chisel from the front of the engine. I have access from the back of the engine to put a chisel at the edge of the cover but the cover hasn't lifted.

Anybody been working on this engine?
Rob

richtazz · 10-22-2006, 08:43 AM

The oil pump drive shaft is on the opposite end of the engine from the power steering pump. Can you please clarify where your oil leak is coming from?

rurbasic · 10-24-2006, 02:15 AM

Here are some pictures of this cover with the 7 bolts out.
It's the cover with the "L" molded into it.

rurbasic · 10-24-2006, 02:28 AM

The oil leak is coming from the failed gasket under that cover in the pictures. The bolts when removed from the right half of the cover as shown in the top picture were oily. I simply desire to replace the gasket under the cover.

If you're familiar with this engine you might remember neat little indentions on either side of this cover. It's hard to see in the photos. Both of these indentions are filled with a .5 inch pool of oil. It's quite a site the first time you see it. The pool of oil never drains. It stays there right on the top of the engine.

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