Looking at my neighbors 99 3800 motor with 70k on it and I see a small puddle of oil in one of the LIM valleys. The others seemed dry but where would this come from ? There isn't oil under pressure on the UIM or LIM is there ? The valve covers may seep a little but why did it pool only in one valley ?

Most times it is not oil, but rather coolant. You may want to double check it. It often finds its way up the threads of one of the bolts.

Nope not coolant, its oil and its black looking probably from heat, just not sure where it came from,maybe the valve cover gaskets, the uim is a 2001 going by the date on it but I dont believe the oil has anyhing to do with the uim ??

Yep.

Agreed..it'll be valve cover. That'* an easy one based on nothing else up there having any oil to leak in that area.

Yeah, if you have double-checked to be certain that it is oil, the valve cover gaskets is really the only other place it could come from. Here'* one reason why I suggested double-checking, besides personal experience as to where coolant would collect.

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...882&highlight=

I can say with a HIGH DEGREE OF CONFIDENCE, that it'* engine oil WICKING up the BOLT THREADS of the LIM.

The Cure:

1) Go to your local auto parts store and purchase a tube of PERMATEX 2B. It is a very dark brown thick cream.

2) Remove the LIM bolts one at a time (so as to not upset the torque across the LIM) and wipe the threads clean with a towel. Afterwards, you can wire brush the threads with a wire brush.

3) Apply a generous amount of 2B to the threads of each LIM bolt (just the ones that are leaking oil) and wipe off the excess with your finger.

4) Install the freshly coated LIM bolt into the threaded hole and tighten. I use a 10mm swivel socket with a long 1/4 drive extension with a 1/4 drive ratchet, but you can use a torque wrench if you want to. (132 inch pounds) or as tight as you can get it with a 1/4 drive ratchet.

5) You can clean up the oil residue down in the LIM valley with some gauze on the end of a pair of hemostats. You can substitute the hemostats with a long pair of needle nose pliers if need be.

Why does this happen? Because the 3800'* have an awsome oil pump with outstanding oil pressure.

Author'* Note: Permatex 2B is God'* gift to mechanics.

Make sure it says 2B.... not 1A like this photo.

or take it apart and do it the right way by taking it apart, replace the intake gaskets, valve cover gaskets and be on your merry way.... but thats just me

the intake is a 2001 so it has been replaced already, think ill live with it for awhile

You can replace the intake gaskets if you want to, but they're not going to stop the oil from wicking up the bolt threads. But you're talking about a completely different incident than from what I'm talking about. :?