Pontiac Repair: Steam from Engine, pan gasket, grand prix gt


Question
-------------------------
Followup To
Question - Thanks Again, I am not so sure it is a lower manifold gasket, are there any other signs of that problem or is there a way to check that for sure.  It appears the slight oil leak is comming the Oil Pan gasket.  I found someone who will replace it for 100.oo labor.  Does your oil change appearance if it is leaking coolant into it.  I just want to make sure that is the problem before I take it in.

Thanks, Robert
-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
I just bought a 97 Grand Prix GT 78,000 miles for my daughter. The car runs great however I have some concerns. One it appears to be leaking a small amount of oil, like 1/4 quart 3 weeks. Now the oil appears to be leaking from the oil pan and I would assume that a new oil pan gasket would solve that problem.
Another more serious concern is that after I drive the car for awhile and check the oil, or remove the oil cap, I see steam or smoke coming from the engine, it doesn't smell like smoke, so I think it is steam. Do you have have any idea what would cause steam coming from my engine.. It isn't running hot at all and runs great.  
Thanks



Answer -
It is not uncommon to see steam form the dipstick, but I think you probably have lower intake maifold gaskets that are leaking. They will leak oil and coolant and are a very common problem. The oil and coolant will leak externally and sometimes the coolant will leak into the oil.

Thanks Harold, next question if it is a manifold leak.  How serious is that and how expensive is the fix?  Is this something that has to be fixed right away.
Answer -
Sorry but not to sure about the price of the repair but I'm going to say that its around $500 depending on the labor rates in your area. Around here it averages $75 per flat rate hour. The job is a 5-6 flat rate hour job.
I wouldn't wait to long to have it fixed. It will only get worse and you dont want it to start leaking coolant into the oil. That could cost you an engine.

Answer
The ol will start to look like butterscotch pudding if there is coolant in it.
To check for the leak look under the power steering pump and under the throttle body, that is where the leaks show up before they run down the block and around the oil pan gasket. Remember that the oil will run down the engine and not up.