Thread: Can LIM gaskets leak oil? (not coolant)

2001 GTP Coupe

I have a very bad oil leak somewhere. Losing about a quart per 25 miles. Can't tell from drips on the ground where it is coming from. Power steering pump is also leaking so that makes it harder to tell.

Mechanic just told me the oil leak is from the intake manifold gasket. I don't remember there being oil passages there? Coolant, yes, and I think my LIM gaskets are on the way out because there are also small pools of coolant around injectors.

I would have suspected valve cover gaskets, but I don't see any obvious leaks there, and it doesn't smoke when driving so probably not dripping onto exhaust manifold.

Can intake manifold gasket leak oil? I did my LIM gaskets about 7 years ago, and I don't remember any oil passages there, just coolant. Is my mechanic right?

Quart per 25 miles is a guess based on...

- Pretty sure I checked oil within last week or two before problem started
- Drove about 35 miles, low oil light came on
- Oil was below bottom of dipstick, I dumped in the rest of a 5qt jug I had in the car (maybe half full) and bought another two jugs, filled to about a quart over full
- Stopped about 15-20 miles toward home, stopped and checked oil after about 10 minutes sitting, was just below full
- Added about a half quart and drove home
- Next morning oil was about a half quart low

Guesses, but still a significant oil leak.

Power steering is leaking on passenger side. All the engine oil I can see is also on the passenger side, so hard to tell where the oil leak is because of power steering.

Oil pressure unit also leaking. Wondering if that's the problem. Also read there's a seal under the timing cover that's prone to blow out?

I'm having the power steering pump and oil pressure unit replaced, then I'll wash off the oil and let it sit until it's warmer and I have time to look. I have other cars to drive.

That oil pressure sending unit can drain an engine when it goes bad. Leaks through the connector. Start with the 2 you are replacing and then go from there. Sounds like you're on the right track. And don't over fill it either, just keep it in the crosshatches.

Laptop broken, been offline, replacing sender unit stopped oil leak.

Good deal. You just saved that engine