Small amounts of oil near upper intake

1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE
165,123 MILES • 3.8L • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
DWIGHT BRYANT
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I have noticed that there is what looks/seems to be small amounts of oil, on the engine just below the upper intake manifold gasket, and it is sitting in the little pocket crevices, i usually get a rag and use my pinky to absorb it. Help! but, the car starts right up though, i usually have to turn on A/C fans to keep temperature stable.
Dec 26, 2016 at 1:41 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 110,175 POSTS
Have you checked to see if the valve cover gaskets are leaking? Also, does the engine heat up if the cooling fans are not running? If so, does it also overheat when driving at highway speeds with the fans off?
Dec 26, 2016 at 6:06 PM
Avatar
DWIGHT BRYANT
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Yes, i notice the temperature gauge goes toward 200 within fifteen to twenty minutes of driving in the city, but once i turn on the A/C fans, the temperature stays at around 150-170 and it will remain in that area of temperature as long as the fans are on.
Dec 27, 2016 at 10:34 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
DWIGHT BRYANT
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I sent some pictures, and if you look at the middle towards the bottom of each photo, you can see the two oil spots/miniature puddles.
Dec 27, 2016 at 11:21 AM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,854 POSTS
Hey DWIGHT,

That is definitely an valve cover gasket leak, here is a guide on how to change it. Once competed clean up the oil and the problem should be gone.

Here are to guides to help fix both problems.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-valve-cover-gasket

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

Please let us know what you find so it will help others.

Best, Ken
Dec 30, 2016 at 5:28 PM