Rear Main Seal Leaking on Engine

[Kahdir]

Found out mine leaks as well... Recent oil change the dealer mentioned that the filter was loose and residue coated a good bit of the underside. Started smelling oil afterward, figured some may have spilled on the headers, but still smelled it 3 weeks later... no oil on the garage floor and oil levels were the same. Brought it back to find it was coated again

Originally Posted by ffrcobra_65

I agree to an extent. These are new cars and new cars are not suppose to leak, specially oil! For the oil cooler and oil pan leak, I would get it fixed under warranty.

For the rear main and rear engine cover leak, I would just have it documented by the dealer and let it go if it is only dripping a drop every now and then. The reason I say this is because as we all know, half the time, it is a crap shoot with the dealer when it comes to intensive/intrusive work. Half the time, you realized u ended up trading a small problem for a bigger one that they caused. But if u have a puddle, definitely let them drop the tranny to get to the leak source.

This is what I'm afraid of... I'm hoping it's just the oil pan gasket, but even that has me a bit concerned with everything involved to access it :(

Originally Posted by Chevrolet Customer Svc

instagator, I'm sorry to hear your dealer was unable to resolve this for you the first time through. If you would like you could send me your contact information and I can get you setup with our Customer Assistance team to see what we can do to assist you with this. Flynnaz, if the issue comes back for you please let me know so I can do the same for you as instagator. Thank you for your time.

Jeff Morris, Chevrolet Customer Service

So far Thomas Chevrolet in West Chester has been great about the situation, although I have not purchased the car from them... they're just closer to work. Tempted to take it to John Sauder where I purchased the car, but it is a pain in the arse to get to... 30 min. of horse poop back roads from my house in the opposite direction of my job

Is there a protocol for this extensive of a repair? and while everything is off... Is it a bad idea to have the dealer install a Harmonic Balancer/Underdrive Pulley? Heck, even headers, cam, etc. -I know headers can be installed w/o taking the bumper off, but if I'd need to remove the front end for a cam, I rather have it done once than take everything apart again later...

[FLYNNZL1]

Regarding the main seal leak, when I had this problem, I could smell burnt oil while driving, not getting it fix was not a option. The repair took a day, no issues since.

[ss eleanor]

Hey Flynnaz, I have a smell like oil burning to but it's only when I come to a stop. It comes threw the vents. It when I'm driving u cant smell it everything is fine. But when u come to a stop is when u can smell it. The dealer is lost , I took it in for an oil change and this is why I get. It's been in the shop for 15 days they said it was the oil cooler and pan leaking. So they changed it but it's still smells and they have no clue. No leaks anywhere.

[ss eleanor]

I'm so pissed at the dealer cuz it seems like they don't care. I know they are tired of seeing me. Jeff is their any way I can get some help on this issue?

[FLYNNZL1]

That was kinda of my issue, I only smelled it every once in awhile, like on the highway. If it's a main seal, it will only leak while the engine is running, I had not leak on the floor. I know is is a known issue, you should have no problem getting them to replace it. The first dealer replaced my oil pan gasket not knowing the real problem. I saw a little seepage between the engine and transmission. I hope this helps.

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Eleanor, if it comes down to it you can always have the vehicle checked at another dealer to see if new eyes might help in getting this taken care of. You should be able to take the vehicle to any GM dealer in your area. If that doesn't get things taken care of for you let me know and I'll do what I can to help.

Jeff Morris, Chevrolet Customer Service

[66olds442]

I actually was just going to post a question about this, as I noticed I had tranny oil leaking when I changed my oil (15,000 miles) It was a very small amount, but I'll be keeping my eye on it.

[Aktos]

I also have the same problem ss eleanor has. mine only has around 1300 miles on it and is an l99

[ffrcobra_65]

some of u guys are too quick to jump to conclusion that its a rear main seal leak. It maybe so but don't assume right away that it is because it "looks" like it. The most common leak is the oil cooler gasket, then the oil pan gasket, then the rear engine cover, last rear main seal. Leaks from any of the first 3 will look like a rear main seal because leaked oil will travel back to the bottom center of the bellhousing as you drive..making it look like the rear main seal is leaking. Goodluck everyone.

[ss eleanor]

Thank you Flynnaz and Jeff. My car goes back in tomorrow. I don't know any other dealers around here. New situation they replaced a heater hose and when they gave it back to me that nite (this past fri) my car got hot. They didn't put any coolent in the car. I had to stop at pep boys and buy 2 gallons of coolent. So I went back on sat and they just rolled their eyes and said bring it back on tues. any other dealer is like 20 to30 miles from me. I'm just frustrated

[Aktos]

[ss eleanor]

Well I called gm cust care. They had me take the car back to Chase Chevy. An now I'm in a rental. I don't think it's a rear main seal.dealer said it was the oil cooler lines and then the pan gasket. After 300 miles it still smells like oil burning

[ss eleanor]

I picked up my car on fri. The dealer said they can't find the problem. All they said was just drive it. Wow theis is such bs. I took my car in for an oils change and now I go a bad oil smell coming in threw the vents. Am I missing sometjing

[66olds442]

SS eleanor, I lived most of my life in Lodi and Chase Chevy has always been terrible at servicing cars (they have been highlighted by various news investigations). I highly recommend you take it to Sanborn Chevy in Lodi and see if they can fix it for you.