How to replace front oil seal on a gm 3.8L engine

easier with motor out if doing the lot

with engine in
yes any seal that can be reached from the out side of head and block
rocker cover seal s
valve stem seals
any coolant or oil seals
front timing cover seal
cam seals

rear engine seal
if it is a round seal and in a holding cradle at the back of the cank needs gearbox detached

check
on most gm motor needs the crank taken out to do the rear engine seal properly

Dear Sir,
Here is the oil leaking Problem Identifying Technique

Engine oil leaks from the valve cover gasket are common.

The intake manifold plenum gasket may leak and cause increased oil consumption/burning and a spark knock during acceleration; the gasket should be replaced.

External oil leaks from valve cover gaskets, intake gaskets (front or rear), and the rear crankshaft (rear main) seal area are common. The rear main seal is an unlikely source. Normally, the bearing cap mating surfaces (as well as the sealing surface between the oil pan and bearing cap) are the source for the leaks.

Engine oil leaks at the distributor can be misdiagnosed as leaks from theintake manifold seal, oil pan gasket, or rear crankshaft (rear main) seal. A revised distributor is available if oil is found inside the distributor.

If the oil filter casing shows signs of distortion from excessive oil pressure, theoil pump should be replaced.

Often misdiagnosed as a leaking oil filter gasket, the oil filter adapter can seep from between the adapter and engine block.

Carbon buildup on the top of the piston is common. As the buildup increases with mileage and over time, symptoms may vary from light ticking, to ticking/hammering, to hammering/knocking noises. Fuel injector cleaner often solves the problem.

I think it helps to analyse u r Problem

I would probably start with Buick's website - - you can email or call for customer service. They should be able to take the complaint or direct you to that department.
The phone number is 1-800-521-7300. There are other numbers at the GM website too.

Raise engine with special tool 00 0 200 approx. 5 mm.
- Remove suction filter housing. Remove engine splash guard.
- Drain engine oil. On vehicles with automatic transmission:
- Disconnect oil lines from automatic transmission and from oil pan.
- Release guide tube for dipstick.

Note: M52TU and M54 only.
- Detach return hose from cyclone oil separator on oil dipstick guide tube.
- Replace O-ring.
- Remove front end reinforcement.
- Detach steeling spindle from steering gear.
- Remove vane pump for power steering unit (lines remain connected).
- Disconnect plug connection to oil level sensor.
- Loosen top and unfasten bottom of left and right engine mounts.

E46 4WD only
- Remove left and right swivel bearings.
- Remove output shafts. Remove front propeller shaft.
- Remove front axle differential.
- Detach brackets for left and right control arms from engine carrier.
- Release retaining brackets for left and right stabilizer bars.
- Unfasten screw connection on front axle support and lower the front axle support.

Note: There is no need to detach the steering gear from the front axle support.

- Unfasten oil sump screws at transmission and engine ends.
- Lower and remove oil sump.
Sealing faces clean and free of seal debris.
Apply approx.3 mm wide, 2 mm high coat of Drei Bond 1209 sealing agent to the area around seams.

Installation:

1. Replace gasket
2. Install oil sump.
3. Insert all oil sump screws.
4. Insert screws in transmission end without preload at this stage.
5. Tighten down screws in engine end.
6. Tighten down screws in transmission end.

E60 Removing And Installing, Sealing Or Replacing Oil Sump (M54)

Necessary preliminary tasks. -
- Remove intake filter housing
- Remove guide tube for oil dipstick
- Lowering front axle support
- Drain off engine oil
- Disconnect plug connection to oil level sensor.

On vehicles with automatic transmission:
- Detach oil lines from automatic transmission and from oil pan.
- Unfasten oil pan screws at transmission and engine ends.
- Lower and remove oil pan.

Installation:
Sealing faces clean and free of seal debris.
Apply approx.3 mm wide, 2 mm high coat of Drei Bond 1209 sealing agen to the area around seams.

Installation:

1. Replace seal.
2. Install oil sump.
3. Insert all screws on transmission end, without preload at this stage.

1. Tighten down screws on engine end.
2. Tighten screws on transmission end.

Or take it to a dealer....

It is recommended that you lift out the engine before attempting to replace the oil pan. Once the engine is lifted you can remove the bolts, remove the pan, clean all the old gasket material.
Installation: Remove the rear main bearing cap oil seal Remove the timing cover oil seal Clean all the mating surfaces and seal grooves Install new oil pan front cover seals Install a new rear main bearing cap oil seal Install new oil pan side gaskets on the block Make sure the tabs of the front and rear seal fit properly as these are critical spots Attach the oil pan to the engine block and install the retaining bolts

5.0L and 5.7L Engines To Remove:

1. Remove the crankshaft balancer.
2. Drain the cooling system.
3. Remove the water pump.
4. Drain the engine oil.
5. Remove all engine oil pan fasteners except two nuts at rear of engine.
6. Separate the engine oil pan from the front cover.
7. Disconnect the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor wire.
   
   
8. Remove engine front cover.
   
   
9. Pry the oil seal from the front cover.
10. Inspect the front cover seal area and crankshaft balancer seal area for damage.
    
    
11. Rotate the crankshaft until the timing marks on the crankshaft and the camshaft sprockets are aligned.
12. Remove the crankshaft position sensor reluctor ring.
    
    NOTE: Free play on the slack side of the camshaft timing chain must measure less than 0.43 inch (11Mm) or timing chain and sprockets must be replaced.
    
13. Remove the camshaft sprocket bolts.
14. Remove the camshaft sprocket.
15. Remove the camshaft timing chain. NOTE: Do not turn the crankshaft assembly after the timing chain has been removed in order to prevent damage to the piston assemblies or the valves.
    
    
    
16. Remove the crankshaft sprocket using J 5825-A.
17. Remove the crankshaft balancer woodruff keys (if required).

To Install:

1. Install the crankshaft balancer woodruff keys into the crankshaft.
2. Align the crankshaft sprocket keyway with the crankshaft balancer woodruff key. WARNING
   Wear eye protection when installing crankshaft sprocket.
   
   
   
3. Use J 5590 to install crankshaft sprocket.
4. Install the camshaft sprocket and camshaft timing chain.
   
   
5. Ensure that the crankshaft sprocket alignment mark is in the 12 o'clock position and the camshaft sprocket alignment mark is at the 6 o'clock position.
6. Install the camshaft sprocket bolts and tighten the camshaft sprocket bolts;
   • Torque to: 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm)
7. Install the crankshaft position sensor reluctor ring until completely seated against crankshaft sprocket. NOTE: The composite type engine front cover and seal must not be reused. Always install a new engine cover with a new seal.
   
8. Install new engine front cover and bolts.
   • Torque bolts to: 106 in. lbs. (12 Nm)
9. Clean sealer from corners of oil pan gasket where it meets the engine front cover.
   
   
10. Apply a 0.196 in (5 mm) bead of adhesive, GM P/N 12346141 or equivalent, 1.0 in (25 mm) long to the engine front cover to engine block junction.
11. Install oil pan bolts.
    • Torque bolts to: 106 in. lbs. (12 Nm)
12. Tighten oil pan nuts.
    • Torque bolts to: 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm)
13. Connect the crankshaft position sensor wire.
14. Install the water pump.
15. Install the crankshaft balancer.
16. Fill the engine to the proper level with oil.
17. Fill the engine to the proper level with coolant.
18. Test drive the vehicle to confirm the repairs.

go to your local saab or gm autostore i would go to my gm store as you know gm own saab and fit it also fits this engine to saab get the oil seal for your lower distributer fit and it should be ok.adrian;;;

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Cavalier, Sunfire 2001-2005

Oil Pan - Removal & Installation

2.2L (VIN 4) Engine

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions section.
2. Drain the engine oil.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   Negative battery cable Right front wheel Right inner fender splash shield Starter motor and bracket Engine mount strut bracket Oil pan

To install:




Fig. Exploded view of the oil pan mounting and related components-2.2L (VIN 4) engine

1. Place a 2mm bead of RTV sealer to the oil pan sealing surface except at the rear seal mounting surface. Using a new oil pan rear seal, apply a thin coat of RTV sealer on the end down to the ears.
2. Install or connect the following:
   Oil pan with a new gasket. Torque the nuts and bolts to 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm). Engine mount strut bracket. Torque the bolts to 49 ft. lbs. (66 Nm). Starter motor and bracket. Torque the bolts to 37 ft. lbs. (50 Nm). Right fender splash shield Right front wheel. Torque the nuts to 100 ft. lbs. (140 Nm). Negative battery cable
3. Refill the crankcase.
4. Start the vehicle and verify no leaks.

2.2L (VIN F) Engine

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions section.
2. Drain the engine oil.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   Engine mount strut bracket Drive belt Lower then upper AC compressor bolts Oil pan bolts Oil pan
   
   
   
   Fig. Remove/Install the oil pan bolts in this sequence-2.2L (VIN F) engine
   

To install:

1. Apply a 2 mm bead of RTV sealant around the perimeter of the oil pan and the oil suction port opening. Do not over apply the RTV. More than a 2 mm bead is not required.
2. Install or connect the following:
   Oil pan and tighten the bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm) AC compressor bolts Engine mount bracket Drive belt
   
3. Refill the crankcase.
4. Start the vehicle and verify no leaks.

2.4L Engine

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions section.
2. Drain the engine oil.
3. Drain the cooling system.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   Negative battery cable Flywheel/converter cover Right wheel Right wheel well splash shield Accessory drive belt Air conditioning compressor lower bolts Transmission-to-engine brace Engine mount strut bracket Radiator outlet pipe bolts Radiator outlet pipe from the oil pan Oil pan to the flywheel cover bolt and nut Flywheel cover stud for clearance Radiator outlet pipe from the lower radiator hose and oil pan Oil level sensor connector Oil pan

To install:

1. Inspect the oil pan gasket; it is reusable if not damaged.
2. Install or connect the following:
   Oil pan with the gasket. Torque the M8 bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (24 Nm) and the M6 bolts to 106 inch lbs. (12 Nm).
   
   
   
   Fig. Oil pan fastener torque specifications-2.4L engine
   Oil pan to the transmission nut Oil level sensor connector Radiator outlet pipe to the lower radiator hose and oil pan Exhaust manifold brace Radiator outlet pipe. Torque the bolts to 124 inch lbs. (14 Nm). Engine mount strut bracket. Torque the bolts to 55 ft. lbs. (75 Nm). Transmission to the engine brace Air conditioning compressor lower bolts. Torque the bolts to 37 ft. lbs. (50 Nm). Accessory drive belt Right splash shield Right front wheel Flywheel/converter cover Negative battery cable
3. Refill the crankcase.
4. Refill the cooling system.
5. Start the vehicle and verify no leaks.

Hope helped (remember rated this help). Good luck.

Replace oil pan gasket with new and improved gasket from GM. You also can get the higher priced felpro gasket to stop this leak. They have lower priced ones but these may leak. Also check front crank seal.

hi if your engine 22R front engine first in side timing cover where engine bully fitted there is oil seal, next valve cover front side between cover and head there seal not like oil seal half cercle shap it makes leak also front side of the camshaft there is oil seal..