Duramax Leaking with 50 miles

Moonlight · May 11, 2003

This is rather long winded but I have to share. Took delivery this morning of my new 03 D/A Crew Cab LT. Drove home from dealer, approx. 50 miles and put to sleep in garage. 2 hours later I decided to do some exploring ... after reading manual. Got down to crawl under it and saw a 3-4" diameter puddle of oil on floor directly under skid plate. My knees went limp with disappointment ... and frustration. I checked the engine oil ... was on the Full mark. Checked it twice just to be sure. Oil is almost clear still ... not red or brown.

Got a flash light and got under. Found insde of drivers side 1/2 of skid plate is completely wet with fresh oil. Oil has blown back about half way under truck ... I started it and got under trying to find where oil was coming from. Best guess is the gasket between large aluminum? oil filter mount? and block ... not 100% sure but think I can see part of the gasket squished out more then one would expect ... following the path of the oil it looks like the most suspect.

I called fleet rep immediately and explained situation ... he was as upset as I was as he knew I had high expectations, and was excited to get it, etc. I chose the truck from 2 identical trucks ... so he told me to meet him at dealership at 11 am in the morning (Mothers day) and he'd give me the other truck after re-doing all the paperwork in advance.

So the wind was let out of my full sails ... and tomorrow I get to re-live it all over again.

I'm praying the other truck won't have problems ...

Any thoughts on what the leak could be from if not from the oil filter house/mount? Not sure if I'm referring to the part correctly ... it's the large metal/aluminum looking housing the oil filter screws onto ... which is connected to the rear side of the block on the drivers side.

99silveradoz71 · May 11, 2003

Hmm, that would make me not exactly happy too. I doubt this would be the case for you, but I know the first time or 2 the dealer changed my oil before I started doing it, due to the filter location, there was oil dripped onto 1 of the frame crossmembers, and when it rained or got wet, I'd get drops on the garage floor after I parked. Not really likely for you, but maybe they cracked the plug open or such??

Moonlight · May 11, 2003

The fleet mgr emailed me this evening with the below info. Based on where I told him I "thought" the leak was it sounds like he knows exactly what is wrong. Wonder if some "prep" work was done by the service dept. and they screwed up the install or something?

"Fortunately it appears that the culprit is a minor flaw caused by a bad install of a $20 part. See you in the morning."

Moonlight · May 12, 2003

Swapped leaker with it's twin today. All happy again ... "Look Mom, no leaks!"

Come to find out the fleet mgr didn't have a clue as to what may be leaking ... told him I would like to know once they find it ... just out of curiosity.

Shaners · May 12, 2003

Glad it worked out for you...

timk49 · May 14, 2003

I think a vehicle is going to have some problems that hopefully will show up soon after purchase and they will be fixed quickly. Mine was the air conditioning hose . It wasn't installed properly at the factory. it had a bad o-ring and leaked all the refigerant. I also discovered damage to a frame flang when I went to install my nerf bars. The service manager said it was probably done in transit and fixed it like new in their body shop. All has been great since those early probs. I think you should hunt for things like that when you buy the truck. Let them fix the problems and then enjoy.

maggot · May 15, 2003

Only problem I have with mine is this dang 6.0Ld iesel motor is so loud. Drive me nuts everytime I start it.

Other than that typical Chevy. No problems.

LARSONEM · May 15, 2003

Interesting assumptions in the prior post! 1500HD with a 6.0 diesel in it. Are you sure you know what you are driving?

1500HD comes with a 6.0L gas, 2500HD comes with a 6.0L gas with an option for an 8.1L gas or the 6.6L diesel!

steppetoe · May 15, 2003

Interesting assumptions in the prior post! 1500HD with a 6.0 diesel in it. Are you sure you know what you are driving?

1500HD comes with a 6.0L gas, 2500HD comes with a 6.0L gas with an option for an 8.1L gas or the 6.6L diesel!

Maybe he was being just a tad sarcastic about the CSK?

maggot · May 15, 2003

Lighten up. Can't a guy have fun with this mess. Having fun is the only thing keeping me laughing at the knock knock jokes I get from the truck when I start it. This is only my 29 Chevy and 10th Chevy truck I think I deserve to bash on GM a bit for cramming this crap sandwich down me. Oh well I got 100,000 miles to see if the sandwich is rotten or a Club.

Moonlight · May 18, 2003

Thought I'd follow-up with the source of the leak. Talked to the fleet mgr yesterday. Apparently my guess was right-on. The gasket oil filter mount gasket was squished out and causing the leak. Said they fixed it and the truck sold the next day. Hope they cleaned up all the oil for the new owner.