Mystery leak

[asamek]

Wife's 1998 Buick Regal GS is dripping something on the carport floor. It's not transmission fluid; it's not power steering fluid.

From where it appears to be coming from, on the cockpit side of the motor from upward, I'm thinking it's either motor oil from a valve cover, or coolant from a bad manifold gasket. The color is consistent with used motor oil and dirty dexcool.

How can I tell which it is? there's never enough on the floor to get a decent sample, nor are there any "drips" hanging off the bottom of the motor or framework. I've put a white towel beneath the car tonight to see if I can tell anything in the morning.

Anyone have any other ideas?

 

[oilcoholic]

Have you checked your coolant level? If it is low it could be your heater core.

 

[asamek]

I'm going to check the coolant in the morning - it's a little warm to pop the cap at the moment!

But good thought - thanks!

 

[oilboy123]

My vote is coolant or condensation from the AC not draining properly.
Is it slippery or does it feel like water? They might have a TSB on your problem from GM? Might want to check into it. I get the automotive TSBs at the local library in the city I live in.

I can also get them at the library website. If you go through the TSBs it could tell you what is causing it and how to fix it.

 

[Trav]

If its not coolant etc then there is an known issue with this body style.

My Grand Prix drove me mental for about a month.The TSB GM has on this is worthless and doesn't fix it.

Rain water comes in through the blower motor intake,it is leaking into it from the area under the wiper panel.The water deflector is either missing or has come loose,or the intake seal is leaking.

The permanent fix is to replace the little flimsy deflector with a larger piece that covers the entire area over the intake and channels the water down the passengers side drain hole.

There is a GM part for a later model that fits perfectly,i will go through my receipts and post the part# later tonight.

The fix involves removing the wipers and panel underneath then installing this part the cost is under $10 retail.It works perfectly and takes approx 30 min.

BTW if the car has a sunroof you may want to consider moving the drains for it from the rocker panels to the trunk through the bottom on the sides.Rocker rust out on many of these cars with sunroofs,by the time you see it the rockers need a total rebuild. These drain are usually the culprit.

 

[asamek]

Thanks for the added info, guys.

Checked the coolant this morning - perfectly full and the reservoir is at the proper level, so I guess it ain't coolant.

And it's not water, either, since it doesn't evaporate and leaves a stain on the concrete.

It seems to be seeping while the vehicle sits - there's a half-dollar sized spot beneath the vehicle after it sits for a week when we're on a vacation. But this morning, there was nothing on the white towel I put under the car after driving it last night.

I'm going to have all the fluids replaced this summer, so I'll eventually get to the bottom of it. I'd just like to know what the heck it is.

 

[mechtech2]

You should be able to tell if it's water or oil.
Could it be the AC drain hole? This is normal.

 

[asamek]

No, mechtech2 - the AC drains fine. This is from another area.

 

[ffhdriver]

Put a drop on your tongue. If it's coolant, it'll taste sweet. Don't swallow.

 

[oilboy123]

Originally Posted By: ffhdriver
Put a drop on your tongue. If it's coolant, it'll taste sweet. Don't swallow.


Don't do that.....have the dog try it....

 

[mechtech2]

Need mo info - need mo info!

 

[asamek]

Update:

It's motor oil. Valve cover on the back side of the engine.

$560.

It may have to leak a while longer...

 

[willix]

I had a Bumper shock just start to leak with out cause On my GM. Hydraulic oil I suppose, it was clean.

 

[Maritime Storm]

GM had a recall on the 3800 for oil leak, see if yours is covered by it.

 

[asamek]

It went in for the recall and was repaired for whatever it was the recall covered. Evidently, it didn't cover the problem we have now...

 

[Spector]

ha, a small leak, let it go, oil is inexpensive by comparison. I have a seepage issue also, been seeping for 5 years now, about 50,000 miles and still not worth fixing.

You could try the White Shepherd oil stop leak, seems to be getting good reviews and worth a shot rather than $560. Although gaskets are more difficult to stop than seals. Have you tried to re torque the bolts, that may work as well.

 

[Trav]

It seems like a lot of $$ for the rear valve cover gasket.I have changed them on 3800 grand prix and old 88 bodies and didn't find them to difficult at all,unlike like say my hated nemesis 3.4 chevy venture

 

[asamek]

Trav - it was for both gaskets on the supercharged model.

Spector - I can't get to the rear cover to re torque the bolts!

But I'm unlikely to spend the money any time soon. I dunno - may give the White shepherd stuff a try at some point. HM oils haven't done much, but it's a real slow leak.

Biggest problem is the spots it leaves on the carport floor...

 

[FL_Rob]

There's always the used throw rug gimmick

 

[asamek]

Ha!