Oil leak in 3.8, any help?

July 21, 2005, 01:20:49 AM

Hello, all:
I have an oil leak that I can't really pin down. The valve covers seem to be the culprit, but new gaskets were installed. The gaskets
are dry as far as I can see, and the area around the breather and the PCV valve have a oil film on them. I only loose a total of quart of oil at a time, and it stabilizes at a quart low. This has me stumped, any help out there?
This is my second '86, my first I bought in '86, and it was totaled with 198K on it in late '96, by a "swoop and squat" scam in Norfolk, VA. (Insurance company fixed their @$$, but GOOD!) :nutkick:
That 3.8 never leaked, smoked, or gave out on me, this 65K mile car is a puzzle. Runs great, but this oil thing is getting me down.
Well I gotta go, tomorrow I have to start on the strut rod bushings on my wife's '73 Caddy hearse, they're disintegrating quickly.
Later!!
Dennis

Re: Oil leak in 3.8, any help?

Reply #1 – July 21, 2005, 03:36:33 PM

Plugged pcv valve? If it's plugged it can build up pressure in the enging and force oil out the seals. To check it just take it off the valve cover and shake it. If it rattles it's ok if it doesn't rattle just replace it.