Chasing an oil leak - need disassembly help, 93 V6

[RickRay]

The back story - daughter's 1993 3.4L V6 has been leaking oil all over the drive. Did some searching on the car and on the forum and it would appear its either valve covers or oil pump drive (leak is from somewhere on top, running down the back of the block).

So I'm trying to get the intake manifold off to check what's going on. Currently struggling with the injectors and the fuel rail assembly on top of the intake.

Can't see how to get the electrical connectors off the injectors, and can't see how to pull the fuel rail. Any pointers?

I had tried disconnecting the electrical connectors to each injector but couldn't see what the trick was to getting them off. Then I just decide to see if I could disconnect the wiring for all injectors (big connector on top of the fuel rail) instead of the individual injectors connector and pull the fuel rail with injectors and wiring all together. As this is first time messing with injectors, I can't see how those injectors will come out with the fuel rail when they are at different angles to the fuel rail.

Stumped at the moment.

[blindeyed]

Originally Posted by RickRay

The back story - daughter's 1993 3.4L V6 has been leaking oil all over the drive. Did some searching on the car and on the forum and it would appear its either valve covers or oil pump drive (leak is from somewhere on top, running down the back of the block).

So I'm trying to get the intake manifold off to check what's going on. Currently struggling with the injectors and the fuel rail assembly on top of the intake.

Can't see how to get the electrical connectors off the injectors, and can't see how to pull the fuel rail. Any pointers?

I had tried disconnecting the electrical connectors to each injector but couldn't see what the trick was to getting them off. Then I just decide to see if I could disconnect the wiring for all injectors (big connector on top of the fuel rail) instead of the individual injectors connector and pull the fuel rail with injectors and wiring all together. As this is first time messing with injectors, I can't see how those injectors will come out with the fuel rail when they are at different angles to the fuel rail.

Stumped at the moment.

Well, I've disassembled one 3.4L block before, but it wasn't in the car at the time. I'm sure that makes no difference really in the process, but it was a little easier for me to do. With the fuel rail, I would suggest keeping the injectors attached to the rail, and lifting the rail up at one time pulling the injectors out with it. Would be a little easier for ya, and it worked fine for me. Had no problems with the angles of them either, they're pretty flaxible and maneuver around fairly easy. Might try using a large flathead, pop up the front half, and then try to pop up the back half and lift it out like that so you're not putting too much strain on the injectors. If I recall, the only issue I had was something to do with the 2 fuel lines that attach to the back. I can't remember what it was abaout them, I think I had a difficult time getting those out or something. Also, if you have any trouble getting the fuel rail assembly out and over the top once you get it disconnected, you might want to just remove each fuel injector. I believe it's just the basic metal retaining clip holding them in. Pull it out with some plyers, and they should come right off. It's been a couple years since I've worked on that part of the engine, so forgive me if some of my info is inaccurate.

[RickRay]

Thanks for that help.

I did as advised and got the fuel rail and injectors free. Using a screwdriver as a prybar, it seem that starting on the front passenger side injector and getting it started allow the injectors to come out one-by-one. I just need assurance that I didn't have something that remained undone that was preventing me from getting the rail out.

Because of clearance in the car, it was easier to just leave the fuel rail on the intake manifold plenum and take the plenum and fuel rail out together. Hoping the reassembly will fall back in place, the rear injectors may be hard to do while in the car.

Still have not localize the oil leak, as the top of the engine is a greasy mess, but getting closer.

[blindeyed]

Glad it worked out for ya. I've got a similar oil leak coming from that area. It's not horrible, I lose roughly half a quart every 3k miles. It hasn't gotten bad enough to warrant a disassembly to replace all the gaskets yet. Let us know if you pin point the location of where it's leaking, it'll probably help me out whenever the time comes that I have to do the same repairs.

[RickRay]

Will be happy to do that. Will be a few days, as it's a weekend project and I'm still disassembling. Also, camera's of the frizz, so won't be able to do photos.