I started off with a very small, infrequent oil leak. Now it'* getting worse and I'm just waiting to fix this problem.

other than the 3 "suggestions" I have been given: upper and or intake manifold gaskets, piston rings

Merged from https://www.gmforum.com/pontiac-168/...mation-312655/

Follow up previous post about same vehicle and oil leak: About 1 year ago vehicle sat parked for right at 5-1/2 month while I chased what felt like a phantom coolant leak.

After everything was complete , the only TWO things I haven't done myself is overhaul the engine and trans.

IF I decide to go ahead with the Intake Manifold gasket kit including bolts, wouldn't it just be easier to install another engine? Especially since it now sounds like I have a lifter tapping and the mileage is just under 250,000 miles?

If you keep waiting it'* not going to fix itself.
I suggest you power wash and find the actual location of the leak. By now it'* likely going to be a few things.

Merged from https://www.gmforum.com/pontiac-168/...mation-312655/

Get a good used one and have at it.

Merged from https://www.gmforum.com/pontiac-168/...mation-312655/

Intake manifold and gaskets is far easier and cheaper than getting another engine, rebuilding it and then swap them out.

With respect, I have to disagree. The leak will fix itself when there'* no oil left.

Totally agree with this though.

Maybe UIM or LIM, I'm just guessing there. Definitely not piston rings, unless the leak is out of the exhaust pipe in the form of smoke dripping into the sky. Need to know more, perhaps found in the other redundant thread I just noticed.

Merged redundant threads into the older of the two threads for the same issue.

Please post for the single issue in a single thread by clicking "Reply" or with the more advanced options such as [quote] or [multiquote] options.

Probably not, but to take this line a bit further: Another engine will be (A) a junkyard engine therefore has some good odds of coming with its own problems, or (B) new or rebuilt engine that will cost some significant portion of what the car is worth with 250,000 miles on it.

See my note above, then: how bad is the tapping? How bad is the oil pressure? What manufacturer and viscosity of oil does it have in it? How many miles on this oil?

Then, even more important: Where is the oil coming from? It would be a good idea to figure this out first before just randomly replacing intake manifold gaskets. Unless you just like doing that sort of thing for fun. Speaking of which: while you're there, you could replace lifters.

So, tell us more about this leak: Where is it landing on the ground in relation to the engine?

Do you have and pictures you can post?

How much oil does it lose in let'* say a thousand miles?

Does it continue to leak no matter how long it is parked or does it stop eventually?

Does it leak more when it is running?