Engine Pull Project

[soundmanlpte]

Hey guys,

Got a 98 3.4l with 207k miles.

I'm dealing with some kind of oil leak I believe. I can't tell where it's coming from. Not valve cover gaskets, already did those. I honestly don't even know if it's engine oil or tranny oil. It's all over the under side, including the tranny. Just enough to leave lots of oil residue, not enough to drop onto the ground or anything.

I was wondering if it could be an oil pan gasket. Based on this thread, I'm considering pulling the engine out to replace all the seals, and make sure I get to the bottom of this. This seems worth it because I need to do the timing belt soon, and I would like to do the radiator.

I've never pulled an engine, or replaced a timing belt. I've done a radiator. Based on what I've read, this all seems like something I can handle. I just need to get an engine hoist. I figure I'll take this on this summer while my wife is off work so that her car is here.

So I'm wanting to get some advice on whether or not this is a good idea. What things I need to get and plan for. And what all I can take care of when I do this. Here's my list so far:

- Timing Belt Kit This Kit
- Idler Roller
- Tensioner Roller
- Front Crank Seals
- Front Cam Seals
- Water Pump + Gasket
- Hydraulic Tensioner
- Thermostat + Gasket
- AC Belt
- Alternator Belt
- Power Steering Belt
- Radiator
- Upper + Lower Hoses
- Exhaust Manifold Gasket
- Rebuild/Replace Starter

I'm kinda thinking I could be with this guy for another 5 years. Should I do head gaskets or anything like that?

Thanks for anything you have to add!

 

[KidVermicious]

Do a leakdown before you pull it, that'll tell you if the gaskets/valves/rings/etc are good. If you don't find trouble there I'd leave the gaskets be.

 

[alumarine]

The only gasket problems that a leak down test will identify would be head gaskets.

Is your engine oil or transmission oil levels going down?

I wouldn't replace the head gaskets unless they were bad.

 

[soundmanlpte]

The only gasket problems that a leak down test will identify would be head gaskets.

Is your engine oil or transmission oil levels going down?

I wouldn't replace the head gaskets unless they were bad.

I think the engine oil is but I can't be sure. I feel like it used to retain oil for a longer period of time but I can't be sure because I haven't checked consistently enough.

 

[alumarine]

I think the engine oil is but I can't be sure. I feel like it used to retain oil for a longer period of time but I can't be sure because I haven't checked consistently enough.

I'd get a handle on what may be leaking before I pulled an engine to change a gasket.

Other than a bit of a mess underneath what are you hoping to achieve?
A bit of oil leaking is not going to impact the longevity of the vehicle.
Unless of course it all leaks out.:wink2:

 

[soundmanlpte]

I'd get a handle on what may be leaking before I pulled an engine to change a gasket.

Other than a bit of a mess underneath what are you hoping to achieve?
A bit of oil leaking is not going to impact the longevity of the vehicle.
Unless of course it all leaks out.:wink2:

Good point. My OCD part wants the mess gone! It bugs me.

More so it would give me a chance to do some projects I need to do that will be much easier to do with the engine out. TB, radiator, starter, exhaust manifold gasket etc.

Also I think it'd be a fun/educational/rewarding project. So I wouldn't pull the engine simply to fix a small leak. It's kind of two-fold. Getting all of the gaskets, fluids, filters change along with all of the things on my list certainly would extend the longevity. Unless I massively screw something up.