09 5.3 Leaks Oil.

[Irv]

I did a search but couldn't come up with what I was looking for, lots about oil consumption but none on leaks?

 

Long story short, my motor was replaced about 15k ago due to an out of round 4th cyclinder(story/post is in here somewhere?) and so far so good as far as ticking/noise goes.

 

I ran Penzoil Dino 5W-30 for at least 4 oil chnages with no problems but recently switched to Penzoil Ultra full synthetic and I now have drips all over my driveway.

 

Is it the syn oil or are some of these engines known oil leakers?

I have checked the filter and it was tight.

 

From what I can see, I see small droplets of oil on the oil pan bolts but it also looks like oil is coming down from a higher position on the engine?

 

Any known issues with this engine before I take it again?

 

Thanks

[mattymax]

Take it back !!!

[DaveH71]

New synthetic might have cleaned out some old gunk that the dino oil wasn't cleaning up and opened up a whole that was previously blocked by that gunk. You said its on the oil pan bolts but looks like its coming from somewhere higher? Only thing higher i can think of that can leak is the valve covers, or very unlikely the heads. Run your hand around the edges of the valve covers and see if they are wet.

[DeePa]

New synthetic might have cleaned out some old gunk that the dino oil wasn't cleaning up and opened up a whole that was previously blocked by that gunk. You said its on the oil pan bolts but looks like its coming from somewhere higher? Only thing higher i can think of that can leak is the valve covers, or very unlikely the heads. Run your hand around the edges of the valve covers and see if they are wet.

 

 

How about the front timing cover?

[DaveH71]

True but he didn't really say were the oil was forming at. I'm just assuming it was on the side and not the front. If it was on the rear i would think rear main.

[Irv]

New synthetic might have cleaned out some old gunk that the dino oil wasn't cleaning up and opened up a whole that was previously blocked by that gunk. You said its on the oil pan bolts but looks like its coming from somewhere higher? Only thing higher i can think of that can leak is the valve covers, or very unlikely the heads. Run your hand around the edges of the valve covers and see if they are wet.

Sorry, should have gave a little more info.

 

Truck currently has 29,000km's and only about 14,000 on the new motor and with me being anal with mtce/oil changes, it is highly unlikely I had any gunk.

 

The valve covers is what I am thinking as well, just have to get around to checking.

 

True but he didn't really say were the oil was forming at. I'm just assuming it was on the side and not the front. If it was on the rear i would think rear main.

 

Dave, the oil is dripping near the oil filter, that is what I thought was initially wrong, that I didn't tighten it enough?

 

It seems the oil leak is higher up but it isn't clear where it is coming from?

 

I was just curious if others had experienced this or is it unique to my truck.

I am/was thinking due to the new engine being installed, maybe something was overlooked or not installed correctly?

 

Thanks, appreciate everyone's help

[DaveH71]

O ok so its near the oil filter. Do you have oil cooler lines right above you oil filter location? If you do thats most likely it, they are a common problem and all you have to do is replace the gasket were the lines seal to the block. Try tightening them first, if they are still leaking a new gasket is in order.

[redjewel2ss]

synthetic oil has much smaller molecules than standard oil. it is possible that the leak will stop if you go back to standard oil, however, synthetic is far superior. this is why synthetic is not recommended in older engines, because a bunch of leaks begin to pop up.

 

since it is still under the powertrain warranty, take it back to the dealership to have them fix it. but it would be best you find the leak before going in.

 

my guess is either the oil cooler gasket or the rear main seal. oil cooler gasket is a very easy fix; if this is the cause of the leak be sure they replace the o-ring inside the cooler also!!!

[Trav_13]

I did a search but couldn't come up with what I was looking for, lots about oil consumption but none on leaks?

 

Long story short, my motor was replaced about 15k ago due to an out of round 4th cyclinder(story/post is in here somewhere?) and so far so good as far as ticking/noise goes.

 

I ran Penzoil Dino 5W-30 for at least 4 oil chnages with no problems but recently switched to Penzoil Ultra full synthetic and I now have drips all over my driveway.

 

Is it the syn oil or are some of these engines known oil leakers?

I have checked the filter and it was tight.

 

From what I can see, I see small droplets of oil on the oil pan bolts but it also looks like oil is coming down from a higher position on the engine?

 

Any known issues with this engine before I take it again?

 

Thanks

 

Sorry to hear about your issue....I had an 09 with the 5.3 and I had a ticking noise that I was convinced was an exhaust leak...needless to say the dealership couldn't hear it, and I could hear it most of the time, I never ever did figure it out, but we threw alot of exhaust parts at it....(this started at 4K miles)

 

Then a few thousand miles later, I then had an oil leak, I was convinced it was the Rear Main Seal as there were some drops on that bolt that is right behind the filter on the case, and then the oil would accumulate on the bottom of the bellhousing, it also appeared that there was oil residue from somewhere higher up....I took this to the dealer a few times, first time they couldn't see anything, next time I took it down there with fresh oil on it, and the service manager said he couldn't do anything about it, and the problem wasn't a major issue, but I was pissed, afterall the truck only had 17K miles on it...this all started at around 15K regarding the oil issue.

 

Long story short, I gave up....I called GMC, filed a dealer complaint...and I was so frustrated at that point, I picked up a new truck.

 

I know this isn't a logical solution for everyone, but thankfully I didn't owe much on it, and I bought a Denali at Invoice plus $5500 in rebates...

 

Its pretty sickening that a truck that was in showroom condition with only 17K miles on it had to go, but with the lack of assistance from the service department, I went ahead and traded it as I was in fear of future problems down the line....(I was going to run out of warranty in terms of time before I ever hit the miles)

 

I don't know what you will figure out in your situation, but it seems we had a similar truck....mine was even a Carbon Black 09 GMC Extended Cab SLT with the 5.3 Flex Fuel LMG Motor, and I was running synthetic since day 1.

[Irv]

O ok so its near the oil filter. Do you have oil cooler lines right above you oil filter location? If you do thats most likely it, they are a common problem and all you have to do is replace the gasket were the lines seal to the block. Try tightening them first, if they are still leaking a new gasket is in order.

Surprisingly enoguh, this truck did not come with an engine oil cooler?

I have seen the plate/adaptor where one goes on this truck but it was not an option I guess(Bought truck as is, did not order it)

 

In your guess/knowledge, do you think if it was leaking from there I would see oil droplets on the oil pan bolts?

I will tighten what ever bolts I can see and get to on my next oil change, which may be soon as I also detest oil leaks, especially on a new vehicle!

 

synthetic oil has much smaller molecules than standard oil. it is possible that the leak will stop if you go back to standard oil, however, synthetic is far superior. this is why synthetic is not recommended in older engines, because a bunch of leaks begin to pop up.

 

since it is still under the powertrain warranty, take it back to the dealership to have them fix it. but it would be best you find the leak before going in.

 

my guess is either the oil cooler gasket or the rear main seal. oil cooler gasket is a very easy fix; if this is the cause of the leak be sure they replace the o-ring inside the cooler also!!!

 

If I can't fix it myself easily I will definitely be taking it in.

But to be honest I am getting a little tired taking it in,(dealer is 45/hr away) I have had my share of trouble with this new truck since day one, mainly the engine issue but other smaller ones are starting to add up as well.

 

Might also go back to regular dino just to see if anything changes if the leak(s) continue?

 

Thanks for your help again guy's, I appreciate it.

[Irv]

I did a search but couldn't come up with what I was looking for, lots about oil consumption but none on leaks?

 

Long story short, my motor was replaced about 15k ago due to an out of round 4th cyclinder(story/post is in here somewhere?) and so far so good as far as ticking/noise goes.

 

I ran Penzoil Dino 5W-30 for at least 4 oil chnages with no problems but recently switched to Penzoil Ultra full synthetic and I now have drips all over my driveway.

 

Is it the syn oil or are some of these engines known oil leakers?

I have checked the filter and it was tight.

 

From what I can see, I see small droplets of oil on the oil pan bolts but it also looks like oil is coming down from a higher position on the engine?

 

Any known issues with this engine before I take it again?

 

Thanks

 

Sorry to hear about your issue....I had an 09 with the 5.3 and I had a ticking noise that I was convinced was an exhaust leak...needless to say the dealership couldn't hear it, and I could hear it most of the time, I never ever did figure it out, but we threw alot of exhaust parts at it....(this started at 4K miles)

 

Then a few thousand miles later, I then had an oil leak, I was convinced it was the Rear Main Seal as there were some drops on that bolt that is right behind the filter on the case, and then the oil would accumulate on the bottom of the bellhousing, it also appeared that there was oil residue from somewhere higher up....I took this to the dealer a few times, first time they couldn't see anything, next time I took it down there with fresh oil on it, and the service manager said he couldn't do anything about it, and the problem wasn't a major issue, but I was pissed, afterall the truck only had 17K miles on it...this all started at around 15K regarding the oil issue.

 

Long story short, I gave up....I called GMC, filed a dealer complaint...and I was so frustrated at that point, I picked up a new truck.

 

I know this isn't a logical solution for everyone, but thankfully I didn't owe much on it, and I bought a Denali at Invoice plus $5500 in rebates...

 

Its pretty sickening that a truck that was in showroom condition with only 17K miles on it had to go, but with the lack of assistance from the service department, I went ahead and traded it as I was in fear of future problems down the line....(I was going to run out of warranty in terms of time before I ever hit the miles)

 

I don't know what you will figure out in your situation, but it seems we had a similar truck....mine was even a Carbon Black 09 GMC Extended Cab SLT with the 5.3 Flex Fuel LMG Motor, and I was running synthetic since day 1.

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe they sold me your lemon, mine is exactly the same, minus the Flex fuel option?

 

To be honest, I am truly regretting getting rid of my 97 Sierra SLE, it was mint and ran great.

The only reason I upgraded was due to the incentives they had at that time and I thought why not, I have had this for 12+yrs now

[karld]

My truck was leaking oil in the same area as you described. I was still under the powertrain warranty and the dealer replaced the rear cover and rear main seal. That was last october and all is well.

[brainpause]

I had a Nissan Frontier that dripped a little earl when I switched to synthetic. Bothered me at first, but it didn't amount to much. IIRC, I also switched back to dino, and leaks stopped. I read on the internet (so it had to be true) that synthetic won't stick to gaskets and such, so it tends to drip. Ida know. :shrug:

 

Larry

[music]

I had a slight leak when new, that resulted in oil in the same location. It was the oil pan gasket (from the factory). They also replaced the oil return blank off plate above the filter, but I don't think it ever leaked. Not a drop since. Don't give up, especially since you read the same complaint about every other truck (including Toyota).

[uh6tdrvr]

Every time my leaks it goes to the dealer. Not because of what're coming out but because of what can get in and leaks are covered under the power train warranty. Make them find out where it's leaking and fix it.