Oil leak (video + several pics)

[Young Chuck D]

My beautiful 1995 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP (I just call her Grace) has shown me where she needs a new tampon... almost. Oil is dripping from directly above the transmission pan and also from a line that I don't know the purpose of.. its not in the video but i took pics of it, the one with the clamps on it

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H68m0En36Z8

pics (gallery): http://imgur.com/a/BwHhu



what would be dripping on the tran-pan? its not always, it just starts dumping oil once it gets warm, i let it run for about 2 minutes before i cut it off and got my phone(camera)

[Young Chuck D]

theory #1--
neighbor mechanic just looked at it, he says crankshaft seal. says he'd have to remove the transmission to change it.

[olopezm]

That line looks like the return line of the power steering, see link for an image:

Return hose

If both leaks seem to have the same type of oil it is very likely you have a steering fluid leak instead of engine oil.

Are you having any steering problems?

Oscar.

[bungea]

i agree with oscar. the fluid seems to red to be oil fluid.

[Young Chuck D]

unless little elves are coming out and adding steering fluid at night, i don't have a power steering fluid leak. just checked that yesterday afternoon and it's full. no steering problems

you think the color could be green coolant mixing with oil?

[tblake]

Thats an excessive leak.

How is your trans fluid? Why are there 4 clamps on the tranny cooler line?

[ecartman]

For the major leak check the seal on the oil pump drive (number 9 on the attached image). The top of it will be visible on the engine block just above the trans bell housing. It was a common leak point on the older 2.8, 3.1 and 3.4L engines and is often misdiagnosed as a rear main seal. Unfortunately on the 3.4 DOHC only the rear cylinder head has to be removed to remove the drive assembly from the engine block. Hope this helps!

[rkvons]

Originally Posted by Young Chuck D

unless little elves are coming out and adding steering fluid at night, i don't have a power steering fluid leak. just checked that yesterday afternoon and it's full. no steering problems

you think the color could be green coolant mixing with oil?

Back valve cover gasket?

[Young Chuck D]

Originally Posted by tblake

Thats an excessive leak.

How is your trans fluid? Why are there 4 clamps on the tranny cooler line?

transmission fluid is excellent. however, the tran does give me a little kick shifting out of park to reverse and when I slow down suddenly (as its going back to 1st gear I assume)

Originally Posted by ecartman

For the major leak check the seal on the oil pump drive (number 9 on the attached image). The top of it will be visible on the engine block just above the trans bell housing. It was a common leak point on the older 2.8, 3.1 and 3.4L engines and is often misdiagnosed as a rear main seal. Unfortunately on the 3.4 DOHC only the rear cylinder head has to be removed to remove the drive assembly from the engine block. Hope this helps!

I'll look into this in the morning, thank you.

Originally Posted by rkvons

Back valve cover gasket?

i had them both changed. I can't really see back there but i'm assuming since the front one hasn't blown, the back one is probably still holding up. for now at least.