Originally Posted By: Red91
Valve cover gasket leaks are common on those 3800's. GM even issued a recall years ago about oil leaking on the plug wires and catching fire. It's a part problem, not an oil problem. The recall has passed so all you can do is either keep the oil topped off or fix it. It isn't a terrible job to do, just time consuming, especially on the rear valve cover. Those 3800's are great engines, and will run on just about any decent 30 grade, dino or synthetic. Rest assured the dino oil did not cause the leak though, and in all reality Pennzoil Platinum is way to good to be swapped at 3k in a 3800. A conventional would easily do 5k in one of them. Your call though. Perhaps you could send me the used Platinum for my lawn mowers.
Thanks a lot for that information. Good to know the oil didn't cause gasket damage. It had a life of Castrol GTX 10W-30 (oil lid says 10W-30 lol) before switching to the Pennzoil Platinum 5W-30. It's the front valve cover, luckily, and doesn't look like a hard job at all, I agree. Also, I agree about the PP being too good to drain at 3k, I will try and talk her into going further, at least 5k minimum. She definitely won't understand anything I explain, not making fun, but at 92 years of age, her body has out lasted her mind in more ways than one. Honestly, I've been staying with her for the last 3 years taking care of her. I think it's going to make my hair turn gray at almost 29 years of age lol.
"IF" the OLM works in a linear fashion, I should be able to get right at 10,000 miles according to it.
Also, this car gets exceptional fuel mileage. I have read lots about people saying the MPG algorithm isn't accurate, but either way, from 45-60mph I can get anywhere from 32mpg minimum to 38mpg after 20 minutes of riding *according to the digital read-out*. Depends which way I'm going, hill-wise. And looking through the oil fill hole, the engine looks absolutely spotless.
I believe I will order a gasket and fix that for her. I will take pictures.