Finding the source of a major oil leak (steady stream) in my 99 Malibu

Did the oil drain plug come loose or the rear main seal could be leaking.

Hi Jerell:
Short answer - YES
Fortunately, it is usually easy to find the source of oil leaks. clean it up, run it for a short time, look for the fresh oil leak.

Lots of older vehicles had a vinyl tube that went from the engine block to an oil pressure guage. A hole in the tube or a bad fitting connection would cause the loss of a large amount of oil.

Electronic senders could still be the source location for an oil leak if the internals had failed. Not common, but possible.

they should be quick disconnect connections you remove them and the plastic clip peace is what breaks and leaks.

Have you checked the oil? Sometimes the shops don't get the drain plug in tight and the oil leaks out. Or the oil filter is not put on tight and leaks all of the oil out. I would check the oil. Walmart did it to my mothers car once. They replaced the motor, but that is what happen.

its called an oil filter housing adapter gasket, very common problem for it to leak it gets disturbed from the torque applied every time you change the oil filter just not a well thought design it will appear that your oil filter is leaking however it is the 10 dollar gasket on the adapter that gave in

Could be your front crankshaft seal or your oil sending unit, these two are the most likely.But have it check out, low oil will do some major engine damage.

Hello...

Sounds like the gasket was left on after the old oil filter from the previous oil change and now 2 are on it. Try giving it a look..

Good Luck...

Drumbe

Wash the engine if need be to find the source of the leak.  It could be the oil fill cap, the valve cover gasket, the oil filter seal or a dozen other places.   

Check the cooler lines, they will only leak when it is running.