Where's this oil leaking from on my 02 Suburban 1500 (PIC)

LAWYER2 · September 9, 2012

just noticed the garage floor starting to puddle. My first guess (and hope) was that it was a loose oil plug screw, or filter, but it looks like its coming out higher than those. Any input?

99 2500 · September 9, 2012

Looks like the oil pan gasket

hzhardy · September 9, 2012

looks like it is running down the back of the block to the right of the water jacket drain plug. Could be the valve cover gasker or valley gasket.

LAWYER2 · September 10, 2012

5.3 rear main

This is what the pessimest in me thought, when I climbed underneath and looked around. Think it's an expensive fix if thats what it turns out to be?

yukon_denali_05 · September 10, 2012

That looks like the rear main. I would bet money on that.

LAWYER2 · September 10, 2012

I'm assuming the Trans needs to be dropped. Should I do anything to the Tranny while it's dropped?

About how many hours would I get charged to replace that?

00Silverado4x4 · September 10, 2012

To the left of the oil filter block off plate there is a pan bolt but to the left of that (4"-6" estimate) looks like you may be missing a bolt?

I'm not a pro/expert but I'd go around and ensure you have all your bolts and retighten your oil pan (and any other hardware or parts that may be loose) then a deagreaser bath and recheck for the leak. **Noting the drop of oil comnig off the oil filter block off plate.** That pan is a disaster area, it'll be virtually impossible to accurately diagnose that leak as is.

Just an opinion, but check the easy stuff before attempting the hard stuff.

LAWYER2 · September 10, 2012

Wow, you're right. I just zoomed in on the original pic. I'll be damned

00Silverado4x4 · September 10, 2012

Hopefully that is all the problem is for you. Once you're back up and running please let us all know what you found out.

newdude · September 11, 2012

Above the filter, the oil cooler line bolt on plug, the gasket between it and the pan leak too.

LAWYER2 · September 11, 2012

Thank you guys so much for the input! It's amazing what a second or (nine) sets of eyes will do! I'm going to replace the oil pan and the cooler line gasket(s), clean it up and see what happens.

Gurrzt · September 11, 2012

looks like it is running down the back of the block to the right of the water jacket drain plug. Could be the valve cover gasker or valley gasket.

It COULD be the oil pressure sensor that is cracked. It is located behind the intake maniforld (for my 01 Z28), and produced the same symptoms as you describe.

alvocado · September 12, 2012

I agree with Mark, start with the simple things. It would be much easier to clean it up and put some dye in the oil. You can trace the leak and pinpoint the source for a few bucks and avoid random part replacement. You can verify if your main seal is leaking by popping the inspection cover off the bell housing. If it's dry, your main seal is fine. There is also a gasket shaped like an upside down U that mounts between the engine and bell housing. That can leak and the oil runs down near the oil filter mount. It requires pulling the transmission and replacing the oil pan gasket to replace. It may slow down over time and the gasket won't completely fail so if that's your issue, you'll have to evaluate if the repair is worth the effort.

00Silverado4x4 · September 13, 2012

So any luck on diagnosis or repairs yet?

TJay74 · September 13, 2012

My bet is the normal ole GM leaky rear main seal that hsa plagued their engines since the LSx design came out. You would think that since the design has been around since 1997 they would of have figured a way to get an LSx series engine built and to not leak.

I have replaced the rear main on all of my LSx powered GM vehicles and yes even my current 2001 Silverado 4x4 needs it as does my 2008 Corvette.