Oil Leak issues with 2002 Silverado 4.3 V6 Please Help

nycjoshuad · May 30, 2014

This is making crazy.

Got my oil changed 3 weeks ago, and my check engine oil level light came on the other day. So I took it back in and the guy told me that my driver side valve cover gasket was leaking. I checked and it looked okay, no leaks. But, underneath the truck it was oill and dirty, more over on the driver side. So I cleaned it up.

I replaced my PCV Valve which was bad and on the bottom was black.

I am trying to figure this out...

Are the people who change my oil right? The people who do it have the best repuation in the city and online as being the most honest and right.

My Oil Guage is also ****ed up, bounces everywhere, sticks at 80 or bounces around. Some one told me the Oil Pressure Switch/Sensor could be bad which Can cause leaks.

* I just went out there after some hard driving and see fresh oil stains. I'll take pics tommorow. There normally isn't stains on my drive way, my friend actually thinks it's some thing that leaks only when the truck is running.

nycjoshuad · May 30, 2014

I took some pictures.

nycjoshuad · May 30, 2014

I went ahead and uploaded them to a gallery real quick. Don't mean to reply too much.

http://postimg.org/gallery/9aotys3k/44443777/

00Silverado4x4 · May 30, 2014

Unfortunately I can not view your gallery right this moment and your previous pic is a little too blurry. However, give the engine (cold) a bath and then after it dries out real good take it out and drive it hard (ish) and then take a look. What you want to see is where is the highest point of where you see oil. From there you should be able to get a better idea of what you are looking at. It good be a few different things. Once I get a chance I will view your gallery and see if anything jumps out at me.

txab · May 30, 2014

Best to clean it up and then look for the leak. Oil sending units can leak and could very well be the culprit. Sounds like you've got a bad one from you description, that or a faulty stepper motor in the instrument cluster

nycjoshuad · May 30, 2014

The second shop says its the Front Cover Seal Leaking, I'll get some pictures soon.

nycjoshuad · May 30, 2014

Here some photos. ...

I am going to clean really good there.

CapitalTruck · May 30, 2014

Well, if it's your valve covers that's a pretty easy DIY repair. Just use a quality gasket like Fel-Pro. Pretty cheap.

white1500 · May 30, 2014

My valve cover and oil pan gaskets are leaking as well, and its only a minimal amount that actually drips. Once the rear main seal was replaced it made a huge difference, that thing really let out oil!

Bob D · May 30, 2014

The second shop says its the Front Cover Seal Leaking, .

I suspect my timing cover seal is leaking as well.

I would thoroughly clean the area (as others suggested). Get some aerosol foot powder and (once surface is dry) apply liberally around suspect area. This may help identify leak's origin.

I would not blast down the highway, as oil blows everywhere. Rather warm to operating temp, and slowly take it around the block. Get under and check for leak.

PS: If you attempt seal replacement, suggest you get a new water pump (as you have to take if off anyway). They're only $30 - $50.

nycjoshuad · May 31, 2014

Water Pump has already been replaced according to previous owner. I'm gonna clean her up real good tommorow morning once she cools. That's a good idea foot powder? can I use baby powder to?

My friend told me it was the rear, he's a ford technician, but he's only going off of the pictures I showed him, he is 100 miles away. I am hoping to dear God it's not. I took the Truck to another trusted shop where the dude said it was the front, which makes sense I know my rack and Pinion is bad but above it is where it's leaking oil to. Which would explain why I see both oils... and why the oil down the highway drains down toward the rear seal but isn't leaking from the rear seal. Make sense???