[Nathanael L]

I recently purchased a 2002 S10 2.2L that has an oil leak. I’m wondering if I can fix this myself. What is the seal called that is leaking? Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[manbearpig]

Timing cover/Oil pan. You have to remove the timing cover and use RTV to seal it back up.

 

[oldeerslayer]

Looks to be the oil pan gasket. The service manual says disconnect battery, remove engine and then remove oil pan.
See section so and so on engine removal.

 

[killerc998]

Or you can just keep an eye on it and see. My 2.2 03 has had that leak for 50k miles (@ 105k now) @ oil changes I loose 1/16th of a quart. Hasn't been enough to justify doing the pan. It doesn't even leave oil spots on the driveway.

 

[Nathanael L]

Thank you! I haven’t had it long enough to see any staining or see how often I have to add oil.

 

[manbearpig]

You don't have to remove the engine or the oil pan to seal that up. I would wait until it needs a timing set.

 

[Original_Owner_86]

Or you can just keep an eye on it and see. My 2.2 03 has had that leak for 50k miles (@ 105k now) @ oil changes I loose 1/16th of a quart. Hasn't been enough to justify doing the pan. It doesn't even leave oil spots on the driveway.

View attachment 364806

I recently purchased a 2002 S10 2.2L that has an oil leak. I’m wondering if I can fix this myself. What is the seal called that is leaking? Any advice is much appreciated.

It doesn't look like it's leaking enough to wash the dirt off the oil pan. So if it's just a weep it's not worth the cost & effort it takes to replace the seal.
You could try torquing the oil pan bolts, in the prescribed pattern, to the correct torque spec. This might help.

When you next change your oil, buy the a 'High Mileage' version of whatever brand you like. It has 'seal conditioners' that swell old seals that, if you're lucky, may reduce the amount that one seal weeps and can prevent future leaks.

-There are 2 basic models of S10's: Those that leak something and those that will.
When mine was new, I took it back 3 times to make them fix leaks under warranty. An exhaust leak (twice), radiator leak, oil pan leak, transmission input shaft seal leak, and blown driveshaft slip joint seal.

When I noticed the Toyota cars & trucks of that era and after did not leak anything, I realized that the leaks were due to poor GM design & manufacturing. Same with all US vehicles back then. Or was it intentional? I'm guessing it was to get people to trade in their 4 year old leaky vehicles on a new one. Because most people think leaks mean something has failed or is about to. Like a leaking dishwasher. That, and no one likes oil spots in the driveway.
We can thank the Japanese for fixing leaking US made cars & trucks.