Serious oil leak - 3.4L Olds Alero

I had a surprize the other day. My low oil light came on. I quickly got to a service station and checked the oil. I added two litres. I checked the bottom of the car and it was covered, likley by 2 litres. I got it up on a hoist but couldn't identify where the leak originated. The oil pan and valve covers appear okay. It seems like it is coming from the right/passenger side of the engine, up high, since it is oily there and to looks like the oil trails down from there. Someone told me a cam seal can cause a serious engine leak very quickly. Has anyone ever heard of that problem on the 3.4 engine? or doesn't anyone else have any ideas what it could be? I taking it in to my mechanic tomorrow (I hope). It is nice to have some good ideas what the problem is.

Thanks

Could be the cam hole , but more likly its the timing cover or your front main seal.

The 3.4s are good about blowing the front and rear main seals. Front is easy to change, the rear, you need to drop the transmission. :rolleyes:

Good Luck

I had a surprize the other day. My low oil light came on. I quickly got to a service station and checked the oil. I added two litres. I checked the bottom of the car and it was covered, likley by 2 litres. I got it up on a hoist but couldn't identify where the leak originated. The oil pan and valve covers appear okay. It seems like it is coming from the right/passenger side of the engine, up high, since it is oily there and to looks like the oil trails down from there. Someone told me a cam seal can cause a serious engine leak very quickly. Has anyone ever heard of that problem on the 3.4 engine? or doesn't anyone else have any ideas what it could be? I taking it in to my mechanic tomorrow (I hope). It is nice to have some good ideas what the problem is.

Thanks

Well I had it checked out and the problem was the oil sending unit. I had that changed and I'm back in business. Luckily when it first happened, I was able to get to a service station and add oil. There was no engine damage.

Happy motoring....

Well I had it checked out and the problem was the oil sending unit. I had that changed and I'm back in business. Luckily when it first happened, I was able to get to a service station and add oil. There was no engine damage.

Happy motoring....

Glad to hear you got it fixed.
Sounds like it was an easy, and inexpensive.