Oil Pan Looks Wet...

obe-kenobe · February 18, 2008

2008 Avalanche w/ 5.3L & 1300 miles, so far. I want to do an oil change soon and was looking around under the truck. My oil pan looks wet but doesn't look like its leaking anywhere. So, I used a paper towel and tried to warp it. It doesn't warp off and the paper towel did pickup a very slight trace of oil. Have anyone else seen this before? PICs attached..

obe-kenobe · February 25, 2008

Well, I finally did my first oil change today at 1400 miles. Sure even, I have an oil leak. Its not enough to drip yet. But, the oil pan is wet and 4 of the oil pan bolts on the driver side have oil on it. On top of that, the oil filter was so tight. It felt like the filter tread was stripped. The filter started to collapse and I had to loosen at least 1 full turn with my oil wrench before I can turn it by hand. I have always had and bought new GM vehicles. This is very discouraging.

cao88c · February 25, 2008

Its under warranty, so take it to the dealer and see what they do. Personally, I wouldn't be too concerned about that small of an oil leak, but being a brand new vehicle, take it in.

98 Z71 SLT · February 25, 2008

Take it to your dealer ASAP !!

The Techs will most-likely replace the oil pan gasket. When they do, INSIST on them using some type of sealer on the oil pan bolts.

johndeeregreen · February 25, 2008

i dont know if i would run to the dealership right away from the way your oil pan looks and if youve only ever driven it on the street it might possibly be some type of oil that they put on there at the factory to prevent corrosion on the oil pan like they do to new brake rotors and the like thats just a suggestion take it for what its worth

good luck

ryan

APHXGMC · March 22, 2008

Hopefully you've gotten your leak fixed. I can say I had the same issue, 08 Sierra. At 300 miles I noticed the thing dripping, took it in and they replaced the oil pan gasket. Today I took it back in, now with 1500 miles on it and they replaced the rear main seal and an O2 sensor. Tech said when he pulled the senor the theads "came off". So I'll be watching it for the next few weeks to see what else happens. I hve the customer satisfaction surevey to fill out and I just don't know if I could give them a 4.0.

obe-kenobe · March 22, 2008

Thanks, but I haven’t taken it in yet. Its my second vehicle. So, I don’t drive it that often. Plus, I am a little worry to see what else they will screw up in the process of repairing the leaks. I don’t know. I know it needs to be fixed. I did look under it a few days ago. Now at 1600 miles, I can say I might have a rear main seal leak too. It stinks to spend all that money on a new truck and it leaks worst than my 14 year old car. I am busy with work but I will take it to the dealer in a few weeks.

More PICs on leaks.

obe-kenobe · April 9, 2008

Some update.. Well, the truck is at the dealer now. The service advisor just called and said its leaking from the oil pan bolts and the rear main seal is dry. So, they are going to put some lock tight on the bolts. Then, he said those trucks use RTVs and no oil pan gasket. ??? Anyway, I told him they do have a oil pan gasket. In a way, I am glad they didn't take off the oil pan. I just don't have much confidence in them. Hopefully, the leak will stop. If not, I am taking it somewhere else.

chevy19533 · April 9, 2008

I had the same problem on my 07 classic 4.8 with far more oil than you had leaking. They replaced the oil pan gasket and I haven't had a problem since. They actually told me a leak like this is usually the rear engine seal, but verified with dye that it was only the oil pan.

Thanks, but I haven’t taken it in yet. Its my second vehicle. So, I don’t drive it that often. Plus, I am a little worry to see what else they will screw up in the process of repairing the leaks. I don’t know. I know it needs to be fixed. I did look under it a few days ago. Now at 1600 miles, I can say I might have a rear main seal leak too. It stinks to spend all that money on a new truck and it leaks worst than my 14 year old car. I am busy with work but I will take it to the dealer in a few weeks.

More PICs on leaks.

saxdogg · April 10, 2008

I was about to say...there's oil all over your bolt heads...

I had my steering rack replaced for a fluid leak, and I'm keeping an eye on everything else...crank sensor included above the starter...seems these are thre three prone to leakage in the new style so far...

pm26 · April 10, 2008

So, I used a paper towel and tried to warp it.

To warp the pan, all you need is a small sledge hammer. Who needs a paper towel for that?

And isn't changing oil at 1400 miles a bit anal? I thought I was overdoing it at 3,000 miles on mine!

bigdogxx · April 10, 2008

So, I used a paper towel and tried to warp it.

To warp the pan, all you need is a small sledge hammer. Who needs a paper towel for that?

And isn't changing oil at 1400 miles a bit anal? I thought I was overdoing it at 3,000 miles on mine!

Not really it's a good safe guarding idea to change out anytime past it's first 1,000 miles to get all of the contaminates and metal shavings from the break in period out of the engine and put fresh oil in with a new filter.

C & A s Dad · April 10, 2008

Some update.. Well, the truck is at the dealer now. The service advisor just called and said its leaking from the oil pan bolts and the rear main seal is dry. So, they are going to put some lock tight on the bolts. Then, he said those trucks use RTVs and no oil pan gasket. ??? Anyway, I told him they do have a oil pan gasket. In a way, I am glad they didn't take off the oil pan. I just don't have much confidence in them. Hopefully, the leak will stop. If not, I am taking it somewhere else.

I find it odd that it has no oil pan gasket. I am sure he is telling you the truth but if you go back a few years to an early 2000s 5.3, they had a really heavy shimmed style oil pan gasket with o ring style seals between the oil ports that pass from the block to the pan.

This is where mine had a small leak, around the o' ring seals just above the oil filter. They replaced my pan gasket and the leak is gone.

The 5.3 is very unique that the pan is actually has oil passing through it at pres. This occurs as oil is passing from the block to the filter and back.

APHXGMC · April 24, 2008

Well I just took my truck in for the third time for an oil leak. I had the oil pan gasket replaced at 500 miles and rear main seal at 1500. The service tech called today and said the are going to overnight a new crankshaft from Michigan. He said GM just released a TSB about a porous crankshaft that is leaking by the oil. All this at only 3500 miles. If anyone could pull the TSB for the crankshaft I'd like to see it.

Zembonez · April 25, 2008

Well I just took my truck in for the third time for an oil leak. I had the oil pan gasket replaced at 500 miles and rear main seal at 1500. The service tech called today and said the are going to overnight a new crankshaft from Michigan. He said GM just released a TSB about a porous crankshaft that is leaking by the oil. All this at only 3500 miles. If anyone could pull the TSB for the crankshaft I'd like to see it.

Holy Cow! I'd scream for a replacement engine. The LAST thing I want the tech monkey at the dealership doing is installing a new crankshaft... SHEEZ! I know they have some quality techs out there but WOW they should just replace the assembly.

Start calling your local regional guy and make yourself a thorn in his side.