i have noticed a slow oil leak in the car i dont know exactly where its coming from but i see it dripping off the pan. and my oil pressure gauge goes to a 1/4 after driving for awhile. anybody know?

 

Sketchum,

I would inspect the oil pan gasket first and foremost. These gaskets will wear down over time and cause an oil leak. I've personally witnessed this with a few of my GM vehicles that I've owned over the years.

The oil pan gasket is ref #412:


*diagram courtesy of gmpartsgiant.com


Additionally, have you checked to see if your oil filter is completely screwed on? This may be a rather stupid question but you'd be surprised by how many oil leaks derive from improperly torqued down oil filters..

 

which model engine?

in any event, after your engine cools, go hug it. I'm serious. Get your hands around the back of it and see if you feel oil where the intake manifold attaches to the back of the block. Then feel a little bit lower to see if there are drips.

If not, put it on ramps and get underneath. I doubt that it's the oil pan gasket but it could be. Wipe it all down well and then run the engine for 2-3 minutes. Shut it off, grab a rag and go underneath again. Does it look like it's coming from the pan or do you also see oil splattered around a little? Does it look like it might be coming from the rear of the pan bu tup a little? If so, it's the rear main seal.

If that's the case, before tackling the job, go to amazon.com and buy a bottle of white shepherd rear main sealer for about $12. Try that first as it might seal the seal

 

its a 3.4 and i was told plenty of times that it could be the rear main seal and oil pan gasket. but was also told that if it was the RMS then i wouldnt be able to drive it around like i have been. but ive noticed it had oil on the oil pan and around that area. so i took it to mikes car wash and had an underbody wash done and it was clean but now its dirty in the same spots.

 

would that be the same set-up for it being a 3.4 v6 instead of a 5.7? but i will look at the oil filter tomorrow when it dries.

 

of course you can drive a car with a leaky seal. You just need to keep adding oil

 

A slow oil leak is not going to affect oil pressure. Low oil pressure when the engine is warm is either due to the wrong viscosity oil, or worn out bearings, and occasionally a worn out oil pump.

 

^^^ agree with pete and tig, if the leak is effecting pressure i would look at the oil pressure sensor. would not be the first time one has leaked.