small leak (oil?)

[RyanbabZ71]

Ok this morning i moved my truck so my mom could get out of the garage.

 

I noticed after i moved it there were 2 small puddles (soaked) into the concrete.  Each were 3-4 inches in diameter.  Not alot of fluid but enough to worry me.  

 

I popped off the front skid plate (the pita heavy one hehe).  When under the truck looking forward there was some fluid on the back left hand corner (place closest on the plate to the drivers side door).  There was also some on the frame.  I wiped everything then looked.  Oil filter looked ok not leaking, oil plug was fine.  Front diff was fine.  I tok it for a ride (5 min) brought it home inpected again.  NOTHING.

 

Any thoughts?

[RyanbabZ71]

well when i was leaving for class i checked it and i didnt see any leaks.

 

HMMMM

[BlueRado]

Kinda strange, Ryan.   ???   Time to get the old sheet plastic out.

[RyanbabZ71]

oh yea i forgot to mention the oil level was fine and the pressure was good too

[Shaners]

Are you sure it was from your truck and not someone elses?  Maybe someone else parked in there over the holiday, and the oil/fluid you found on the skid plate is just left over from a previous oil change...

[RyanbabZ71]

nope my truck is the only one that parks there.  However it does make sense some of the fluid is there from the past oil change. Thanks i didnt even think about that.  Maybe that leaked off the plate?  It was warmer last night than the 2 previous nights which would have helped it flow better.  BUT why would there be 2 puddles?

 

Thanks for your help

[99silveradoz71]

Perhaps the cross member under the pan/filter.

[RyanbabZ71]

ok well i think my theories are no good.  Moved my truck this am and there is a fresh oil puddle (4" diameter)

 

I checked the oil filter and the skid plate and there was nothing.  The puddle is towards the right of the oil filter (looking from the rear of the truck forward)

[2001 HD]

Do you have an oil cooler on your truck? If so, check the fitting where oil cooler lines send/return to the oil pan. If not, it sounds like a rear main seal or oil pan gasket. Could it be leaking from the top of the engine and running down the back side of the block? Camshaft PS, PCV valve, Valve cover gasket, Oil pressure sending unit?

 

Positive its motor oil and not xmission fluid?

Your out of warranty right?

 

Major Bummer dude! Keep us posted. ???

[Bulldog]

My truck does almost the same thing.  It doesn't leak all the time but it does have a leak.  I can see oil coming from somewhere above the oilpan.  Most days the matt under the truck is dry so I'm not too worried at this point.  I just keep an eye on the oil level.

[RyanbabZ71]

Positive its motor oil and not xmission fluid?

Your out of warranty right?

 

Major Bummer dude! Keep us posted.

 

its oil

 

i am only at 32K miles.  Still under warranty

[BDBWTE]

I've know my skid plate to hold oil during oil changes this could be an issue...the mechanical engineer should be drug in the street and shot..

Have you droped the truck into water with it hot?  This will make your seals freak out and leak sometime.

nothing from around the heads?

If not take some brake cleaner, starter fluid, wipe the whole underside of the motor off and then run it and watch the bottom of the truck that's about the only options I see you having.. This of course if you are positive the fluid leak is from your truck..

 

Hope this helps BDBWTE

[AZ-Z71]

Changing oil on that truck is the messiest friggin job I have ever seen.  First I think the oil drain plug should have been pointed down not out.  Loosen that baby and the oil flies out 90% of the time missing where you placed the oil pan.  Next you'll need to wipe your arm off while adjusting the position of the oil pan.  After that if you didn't stuff paper towels or shop rags between the skid plat and the oil pan you will find that it leaked back there.  The oil filter is even more fun.  After you think you drained all the oil out of the motor you still have to deal with a full oil filter.  Better put the rags under there too.  I found a little cleaner way of doing that by driving a screw driver into the bottom 1/4 of the oil filter to drain it but it still is somewhat  messy.

 

So once you did all that and refilled, moved the truck and cleaned the floor if you were lucky enough to not have it drained onto the cross member, which you will find a puddle in your driveway if you were not lucky, you'll need to climb back under there with a rag and wipe the bottom and everything else you can find with a rag.

 

You're right, shoot that engineer. :thumb:  

[RyanbabZ71]

well i feel dumb.  Took it in and the cross member was holding oil.  They cleaned it out and all is well

 

Flame me now haha

[BlueRado]

Glad it wasn't serious, Ryan!  

 

BTW, better not mention this to the Edmunds bunch.