93 Grand Am 2.3 Oil problem HELP I'M A WOMAN!!!!!!

[hutcht2]

I recently bottomed out my car and tore open my oil pan. I took it to a repair shop and got it fixed. They also put on new brakes and a water pump. The cost was around $700. I drove it that night and it was runing fine. The next day the oil light came on. When I checked the oil it was barely showing on the dipstick. I put two quarts in and took it back to the repair shop. They looked at it and drove it and said that I needed a new hose that goes to the oil/air separater. I got it from the dealer and put it on. I am still having to put in 2 quarts of oil everyday. It is not leaking from anywhere so I guess I am burning it. I did not have this problem before I got it fixed. What should I do? Do I need to take it back to the shop again? As you probably guessed I am a woman and I don't want to get taken advantage of by the repair shop. Please give me some advice.

[Jpit]

I'm afraid to say with 2 quarts of oil lost a day your going to have to bring it back to the shop again. I would have guessed that it's leaking out but you say you can't find any leaks. Have you checked while the engine is running just incase it's only leaking while your car is running and not when it's stopped? I feel for you. Do you know any friends or neighbors that are somewhat mechanically inclined to see if you may be visually missing something? Just a thought.

[urweak]

I would let the car run while it was parked for awhile then let it set, and put some newpaper or something under the car if you can see if its dripping. Also do you get alot of white smoke out of your exshust?

[C_Sephiroth]

When you put the hole in the oil pan how long did it run like this? Did it run out of oil, I could only assume it did? If this is the case you might have done some interneal damage to the engine causing you currant situation, But I would suggest doing as urweak said Make sure it is full. Then let it Idle for 20-30 min and With newspaper under the car, or somewhere clean check to see if it leaking. Also check the engine coolant. Does it look funky? Might be getting in there some how.

[hutcht2]

I drove the car for about two months after I got the hole in the oil pan. When it happened I stopped and had the car towed. It was not driven without oil. A friend put jb weld on it and it barely leaked. I drove it for a couple of months to save up money to fix it. I was only putting in about one quart every two weeks. Now since I got it back two quarts a day. I put a piece of cardboard under the car and there is no leak. I also raised the hood and started it but there was no leaking. I did notice when I shut the car off a belt by the engine had a layer frayed off. I guess time for another belt. That will probably be another $100.
Thanks

[95ragtop]

Agree with above. Check the coolant overflow tank. If your leaking oil into the coolant, that's where most of it will end up. Your engine will run warmer also because oil in coolant system decreases it's efficeincy. May be an intake manifold gasket and unrelated to the oil pan hole. Not cheap.

I can save you money on the belt change. You can replace it yourself in about 10 minutes. Use a 3/8" square drive rachet. It will fit in the spring loaded belt tensioner. The tension pully contacts the belt on the flat side and will move if you push on it. You will see a square openning for the rachet to fit in to. Rotate the rachet enough to remove the belt and replace with a new one. You may have to move additional brackets out of the way (hopefully not). Hope this helps.