Oil leak with pics

SlickMcVega · January 15, 2017

http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/p490/Don_Ammon/20170115_151749_zps9ppwrnaf.jpg

Anyone wanna take a guess of whether this pic is an oil pressure switch leak, camshaft sensor, or vally pan leak?

I replaced the valve cover gaskets and oil pan gasket(that wasnt fun with 4x4), still have a leak above the bell housing from up in this area. Steady drip every 5 seconds.

2001 tahoe z71, 5.3L.

Also I inspected flywheel and converter when oilpan was off last night and both were bone dry, so I am almost positive its not the rear engine plate or main seal.

Edited for noobness

Colossus · January 15, 2017

doesn't look like anything fresh??

SlickMcVega · January 15, 2017

Those pics were after it sat all night after oil pan repair. I can shine a flashlight up behind the rear of the motor from the ground and see wet oil from just below this area. As far as i know, these are the ony things that can leak from the top-rear of the motor... unless im missing something.

VikingTrad3r · January 18, 2017

oil pressure sending unit or intake gasket leak.

carnau · January 19, 2017

Is the oil pan covered in fresh oil again? Doesn't look like your intake gaskets or oil pressure sensor are leaking. Rear main housing seal?

SlickMcVega · January 19, 2017

Im replacing the intake gaskets and oil pressure switch(and checking the vally pan gasket) this weekend, ill get some pics of the back of the motor then. Its definitely coming from above the bell housing because its wet with oil above it. I really dont want to disturb the knock sensors to change the vally pan gasket because they are expensive for OEM. There are only so many things that can leak back there lol.

VikingTrad3r · January 19, 2017

pretty sure you will discover your issue.

might be oil pressure switch too. you will know soon. post pics!

SlickMcVega · January 20, 2017

Deleted old pics, and added new ones actually showing wet oil back there after driving the tahoe. Im thinking its the valley pan (lower intake manifold) gasket. Ill be doing the wrench work this weekend. Repair pics to come soon.

http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/p490/Don_Ammon/20170120_175054_zpskednesno.jpg

VikingTrad3r · January 21, 2017

you have all the torque specs lined up? or a shop manual? ive been looking for a digital version forever.

SlickMcVega · January 21, 2017

They have an app for that!!! Autozone app has free repair manuals with torque specs and pics. Also, youtube is my best friend. Lol

SlickMcVega · January 22, 2017

http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/p490/Don_Ammon/20170121_210919_zpslx5hsi93.jpg

I took some pics of when i first pulled the intake manifold off, but they didnt save for some reason. Anyway, the intake manifold gaskets were a little wet...and flat. The valley pan gasket was wet at the back two bolts, but while taking the old knock sensors out I broke the wiring harness for them. So a trip to the parts store yielded intake manifold gasket, valley pan gasket set, 2 new knock sensors, a new knock sensor wiring harness, a new camshaft sensor(it may have been leaking as well), and a pressure sensor switch. Not sure which one of these parts were leaking, or if they all were, but everything is being replaced just in case. $310 in all new parts for this project since i decided not to reuse the old sensors.

If this doesnt do it i dunno what else could be leaking above the bellhousing. Anyway ill update after i finish in the a.m. and test drive.

VikingTrad3r · January 22, 2017

good work. i assume u reached arlund and felt the rear of the valve covers to feel if those were leaking.

look fwd to hearing its all fixed and running dry tomorrow.

SlickMcVega · January 28, 2017

Ok guys finally got it chased down.

History: had an oil leak for last two years. Figured it was rear main so never worried about it. Pulled inspection window while rebuilding front end and saw a dry flywall. Finally decided to fix it so i replaced-

Valve cover gaskets and bolt rubbers

Oil pan gasket(11 hours because 4x4 lol)

Intake gasket (had to do it 3x because cheap knock sensors failed 2x)

Vally pan gasket and knock sensor orings

Knock sensors amd harness

Camshaft position sensor

Crankshaft position sensor

***still had a leak after all of it***

Today I spent 10 minutes and replaced the oil pressure switch... and fixed my oil leak.

So my advice after $500 and prolly 20 hours total repair time.... guys, try the oil pressure switch/sending unit first. Ill never let myself live this one down.