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Oil Leak

divejoe

By divejoe
in Ask A GM Technician

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divejoe Enthusiast

divejoe

Posted
Posted

My 1500 silverado (5.3 engine, 150K miles) has this oil leak around the oil filter area that no dealer seems capable to find or fix. Four trips to the dealer ($300+) and still no luck.

First visit they said it was the rear main seal. They wanted to charge me $800 so I went to a different dealer for a second opinion. they inspected the rear main seal and it wasn't leaking, they said it was a defective K&N filter which they replaced. Didn't fix the problem so I went back, this time they told me it was the gasket for the oil adapter. It was replaced. Still leaking, so I went back, this time they told me it was the oil cooler blockoff cover so it was replaced. The truck is still leaking around the same area.

I need some advice on how to approach the dealer so they can fix this problem. One of the service reps even recommended to leave it like it was since it's a small leak after all, but I think it getting worse.

What are your thoughs about the cause of this leak> I read in one of the forums that the intake manifold gasket might need to be replaced, but the mechanics never mentioned anything like this.

Any words of wisdom?

Thanks for your help!!

divejoe Enthusiast

divejoe

Posted
  • Author
Posted

GM Tech,

 

With 150K miles on my truck, would you recommend spending more than $500 to fix my truck's leak?

Have you had many problems with rear main seals going bad? Thanks for your help! This is a great site!!!

GM-Tech Senior Enthusiast

GM-Tech

Posted
Posted

I can't comment on whether or not your truck is worth $500 in repairs, but unless it's total junk I would say it is.

 

I'd clean the engine underneath as best possible, then add some fluorescent oil dye to the oil so the source of the leak can be found. Sure, it could be coming from the intake or just about anywhere else.

 

We don't do many oil leak repairs. Not like the "old days" when just about everything leaked like a sieve. Engines are pretty oil tight these days. Keep in mind that a lot of the older or higher mileage vehicles don't always go back to the dealer, since we're perceived as costing more for service.

divejoe Enthusiast

divejoe

Posted
  • Author
Posted

They cleaned the engine and then performed the dye test. It ended up being the rear main seal after all.

Got it replaced and it looks good so far. They charged me $600 (mostly labor because they had to remove the trans).

Anyways thanks for your help!

  • 4 weeks later...
divejoe Enthusiast

divejoe

Posted
  • Author
Posted

GM Tech,

 

Well my dear friend the leak is back. I took the skid plate off (should have done this to begin with but ...) and saw must of the oil around the oil pan bolts (oil filter side). Oil pan gasket maybe?

Don't you think the dye test would have pointed to this area? The mechanic said it was the rear main seal so it was replaced. Now if I take it back and if indeed is the oil pan gasket that needs to be replaced, will they charge me full cost for the replacement or do I get a "break" and they absorb the cost under the 30 day warranty?

How many hours would it take? Do they have to drop the whole front end?

 

Once again thanks for your help! You're alright!

 

Happy New Year!

GM-Tech Senior Enthusiast

GM-Tech

Posted
Posted

Is it a 4WD? That's a little tougher, but an oil pan on one of these is not that difficult.

 

My opinion is, if you took it in and relied on their diagnosis as to what was leaking and paid to fix what they said was leaking, it should be fixed. Without being there and knowing the whole story (there are always two sides), I'd say they owe you something, that's for sure.

divejoe Enthusiast

divejoe

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Is it a 4WD?  That's a little tougher, but an oil pan on one of these is not that difficult.

 

My opinion is, if you took it in and relied on their diagnosis as to what was leaking and paid to fix what they said was leaking, it should be fixed.  Without being there and knowing the whole story (there are always two sides), I'd say they owe you something, that's for sure.

 

 

 

 

Yup, it's a 4WD. I'll call the dealer tomorrow and see how it goes. They have been pretty straight forward so far.

 

What's the std cost for that if you don't mind?

  • 3 years later...
garyrabbitt New Member

garyrabbitt

Posted
Posted
What's the std cost for that if you don't mind?

 

No idea right now. I'm at home and don't have access to labor times.

 

 

Hello guys,

Sorry for bringing up this old post, but I have the same issue.I have pretty much eliminated other sources for the leak. After wiping the area down and driving a few miles, there is oil on the adapter. Wiping again, I see where the adapter is inserted, the oil starts to form a new drop.

My best guess is the seal is bad.

 

 

Adapter bolts are tight. I found one seal kit online for the diesel models, not sure if ths is the same kit for the non diesel.

http://www.ssdieselsupply.com/product_117_...r_seal_kit.html

 

 

I'd really like to get this locally, instead of ordering online. I have yet to call the dealer.

 

 

Questions, does anyone have a GM part number for the seal kit, 1996 Tahoe 5.7 4WD?

 

Is the aluminum "splash pan" (flywheel access) removable without ruining the connection to the trans? I don't want to mis-align anything. That way I can double check the rear main seal. I think the oil from the adapter is blowing back, into that splash shield and letting a drop or two come from the drip hole.

 

The two lines coming from the oil adapter have plastic retainers. Are these easily removed, and will I have to loosen the lines toward the front of the vehicle to get them out of the adapter?

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

Gary.

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