Help determining part

I recently noticed what looks to be oil near the top of the engine on the fire wall side of it. It looks to be near the valve cover but some seems to be away from it. Where do you think this is coming from? It isn't enough to even drop the oil level at all. It could possibly be from a long time ago because it doesn't look very fresh where its at. Any ideas? The car is an 02 GT with 150k.

2002 Grand Prix GT
What is the metal part underneath the plastic intake manifold called? I'm obviously not a mechanic. I can do all the work just have no idea what this is called. There seems to be an oil leak from it (I see seepage around the gasket) and I need to know what gasket to get. Also, is it normal for some trasmission fluid seepage after changing the fluid? I did a pan drop and put everything back correctly as well as torqued all bolts correctly. However, I was under the car today and could see where it looked "wet" around the edge of the gasket but there is no fluid loss yet and no leak otherwise. I was wondering if I should be concerned with this or not. Note: I needed to change the OE gasket but used a new rubber gasket on the pan. Fluid was changed about 3 weeks ago and only about 15 miles put on the car since then.

The component is the lower intake manifold (LIM). Sounds like leaking end seals but they will come with the new LIM gasket set. Also, could be the port gasket for that bank. We have some info posted at Tips & Maintenance about the the LIM gaskets. GM has a new version of the two port gaskets out which is aluminum framed.

After a pan drop it is normal to see that wet look at the edges. As long as as it is not leaking like dripping out you should be OK.

I just did a pan drop on my Regal GS today with the new Dexron VI ATF, screen filter and ZZP shift kit.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/lizzywiz/DSC00014.jpg

How hard would you rate changing the LIM gasket on a 1-5 scale. I looked at the how-to and it mentioned removing the intake and exhaust rods in order to get the gasket in place. I can accomplish anything but wondering if this is something I should just take to someone instead. It just looks like something that would be worth wasting the money for someone else to do it but I don't know. And do you have any idea what it would cost for someone to do it in case I decide to go that route?

Not trying to discourage from doing the job DIY like many of us have but a 5. The pic below gives you an idea of what has to be removed just to get to the LIM gaskets. At a shop it could run $500 and up plus parts. Probably more at a GM dealer.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/lizzywiz/lim_seal.jpg

Does it require removing the rods? If its just removing a lot of items to get to it, I'm game. I just don't like mettling with things inside the engine itself. I would be afraid I would mess something up. And for that cost, I would prefer to do it myself. I could probably get it cheaper than what you quoted but not a whole lot less. Its just a little bit of seapage right now- no drips, no oil leaking. Is is something I should be real concerned with right now or just watch it. I have heard of coolant getting into the oil but I have checked the oil like a lot of folks have said and have no milky residue to show that coolant is in it.

Rocker arms and pushrods? On the 3800 no, only the 3100/3400 engines.

Common to see some seepage with your mileage. Until it starts dripping out I would not worry about it but keep an eye on it periodically. One major sign of bad UIM or LIM gaskets is coolant consumption being burned through combustion so monitor your coolant level just in case.