Small Problem

[foghorn23]

Well I decided to go ahead and do my first oil change today. All was uneventful as I pretty much knew what to expect this being my 4th Chevy truck. Anyway I did run into a puzzling thing, but I’m easily confused and hope some of the techs or owners who’ve seen the same thing might have some idea where for me to look for the source of the problem.

 

During the oil change I notice that there was a drip (oil?) on the bolt holding the driver's side shock onto the lower mount. Since I was changing the oil on the ground and couldn’t maneuver around easily I looked as best I could but couldn’t see any apparent leaks from the engine. On further inspection the rubber boot on the front axle had some oil on it as well. The way the frame comes down over the top of the shock I really don’t see how oil could have found its way onto the shock bolt. I’m wondering if it might be a bad/leaking shock or maybe one of the oil cooler lines might be dripping; the lines appear to be just above the shock. I looked but really can’t see anything. It’s not a biggie as the thing has tons of warranty, but I thought if I took it in to the dealer someone on here might have an idea where to start to look. Thanks for any/all help.

[foghorn23]

Got a little closer look at this tonight in my garage. Shock is definitely okay; it's not leaking. The wettest place is the frame crossmember under the motor. Every angle I can get a look at the block front and rear as well as the oil plan, all look dry. From above the only place I can see anything is on the the frame crossmember where oil lines leave the block headed to the oil cooler Front diff looks clean and dry. I have a dealer appointment this Wednesday, so I guess they'll find whatever it is much easier on a lift, but my shadetree mechanic skills with what I can see from above and below are stumped. Waiting for Wednesday.

[98 Z71 SLT]

oil cooler lines to engine block gasket. common occurence.

[foghorn23]

oil cooler lines to engine block gasket. common occurence.

 

I'm hoping for something simple like this. I'm not sure I have a lot of confidence in the local dealers techs to start tearing apart the motor and replacing gaskets. Guess we'll cross that bridge when and if we get there. Thanks, your post raised my hopes of a much simpler fix.

 

vroten

[foghorn23]

Had the truck at the dealership today and this was diagnosed as a small problem. Bad power steering hose. Part is ordered. Glad this one wasn't oil related and what I was seeing was P/S fluid. I just hope they can get the new hose on without getting air in the system and starting the p/s whine on this truck. My 04 Silverado had the classic noisy P/S pump from the factory. This truck's pump is whisper quiet, and I don't want some screw up fixing this to give my new truck the whines.