I'm hoping my oil leak is something as simple as an overfill from a recent oil change, loose oil plug or incorrectly seated filter instead of the dreaded oil pan gasket I've read so much about.

A friend of mine is coming over to change my oil. I'm confused because the manual said I need 6.1 quarts for the 3.0, but the auto parts store gentleman said 6.0 quarts when he looked it up and worst of all, my car has 6.5 written in chalk by the Valvoline rapid oil change I've been going to.

So two questions. What do fellow 3.0s use? Could overfill be the source of all my woes?

As I mentioned in my intro, I'm not terribly knowledgeable about cars, but want to give my friend the best advice to avoid a repeat oil leak and wasting his time.

Thanks in advance!

Shannon

 

Shannon, when I do the oil change in my car, I add in 7 quarts. So, 6.1 to 6.5 isn't too far off. Keep in mind that just changing the oil (no filter) takes the 6 quarts. But, adding in a filter, you need to add in another 0.5 quarts of oil. The big tell tail will be what the dip stick says. Fill it to the high end of the fill mark and measure the oil after you have run the car for a minute or so (ensures the oil system has no air in it).

As for your leak, what I would tell you to do is to get some stuff called "GUNK" and spray it in the area around the oil filter (with the filter installed). Try not to hit too many wires. You want to do this with the engine up at temp. Then use a garden hose to spray off all the GUNK that you sprayed on. Take the car out for an afternoon drive (20-50 miles) and then park the car. See where the oil is dripping from now. Pretty much, the highest point where the oil is coming from is the source of your leak. it is possible that the flange for the oil filter is leaking, but more than likely it is the oil pan gasket.

If you need any more advise, make sure to hoot and hollar. We will help you out.

 

About the only place a xtype will leak engine oil is, yes from the oil pan gasket. Its by far the most common. How bad is it really? Get a can of brake clean and when he's changing the oil on jack stands down in front of the neighbors house in case he makes a mess. Clean the oil pan or oil leaking area. Then see how long it takes to return. Also take a 13mm socket on a ratchet and snug all the pan bolts, and the 2 lower ac compressor bolts where they go into the oil pan. You might get lucky