Oil leak
#1
Racer
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Location: WA
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Oil leak
The procedure to fix this problem,
was somwhat disturbing. I took my
07 with 8K miles in for the oil pan leak.
The real troubling part was that the GM
procedure covered Corvettes from 2005
thru 2011.
This seems to indicate a problem that GM
has known about for 6 yrs, also, it can include
thier "hand bulit Wixom Engine".
I lucked out, as the Service Manage at the
dealership was a friend , and has taken care
of every TSB that pertains to this car.
Anyway, I would suggest you get under your
car one way or another and start looking for
weeping oil pan nuts, oil pans with oil running
from the front to back or leaks at the rear of
the pan gasket and /or oil stains on the pan itself.
This is an expensive repair if you are out of warranty,
around $2300+". They have to drop the entire front
cradle to get-to-and -fix-the -oil-pan leak.
After putting the car back together, they have to
reset the tow, SOME people think they get a free 4 way allignment...not so...adjust tow ONLY...as per GM
repair instructions.
Anyway, if you are still under Warranty, get under
the car and look, even it is 2011.
This is the same-o-same-o That GM has been pulling
for years. They have know about this since 2005, it
now reach's all the way to 2011.
Just say'n ...take a look under your car. They
aren't legally, nor does this qualify as "recall",
but bet you wallet they are waiting for your
warranty to run out before you notice an "oil
well " under your car.
I have more info on this, if anyone is interested
send me a PM.
Jon
was somwhat disturbing. I took my
07 with 8K miles in for the oil pan leak.
The real troubling part was that the GM
procedure covered Corvettes from 2005
thru 2011.
This seems to indicate a problem that GM
has known about for 6 yrs, also, it can include
thier "hand bulit Wixom Engine".
I lucked out, as the Service Manage at the
dealership was a friend , and has taken care
of every TSB that pertains to this car.
Anyway, I would suggest you get under your
car one way or another and start looking for
weeping oil pan nuts, oil pans with oil running
from the front to back or leaks at the rear of
the pan gasket and /or oil stains on the pan itself.
This is an expensive repair if you are out of warranty,
around $2300+". They have to drop the entire front
cradle to get-to-and -fix-the -oil-pan leak.
After putting the car back together, they have to
reset the tow, SOME people think they get a free 4 way allignment...not so...adjust tow ONLY...as per GM
repair instructions.
Anyway, if you are still under Warranty, get under
the car and look, even it is 2011.
This is the same-o-same-o That GM has been pulling
for years. They have know about this since 2005, it
now reach's all the way to 2011.
Just say'n ...take a look under your car. They
aren't legally, nor does this qualify as "recall",
but bet you wallet they are waiting for your
warranty to run out before you notice an "oil
well " under your car.
I have more info on this, if anyone is interested
send me a PM.
Jon
#2
Le Mans Master
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Yes it's a problem and already had my 06 done... out of warranty of course! However mine was done by a authorized Chevy dealership and it cost me under a grand! Have no idea why your dealer would be claiming over 2 grand for a MAX 10 hour job? Yes it's a fairly complex job but GM allows about 8 hours (book).. not 20 hours. Now unless your dealership is charging 200 bucks an hour I fail to see how it could cost over 2 grand? Seems a little steep to me even with WA prices...
You are correct in that GM should have long since fixed this problem design because MANY LSx engines eventually develop this type of oil leak. Guess GM figures most owners will be out of warranty BEFORE it happens.... so it will be the customers dime!!
Keep in mind that on LSx engines the pan is considered part of the structural block integrity and is used to increase over all strength! It however should be a relative easy design change to fix this extremely annoying problem. It really BLOWS to have a nice vette leaking oil for no other reason other than a poorly designed oil pan..................
You are correct in that GM should have long since fixed this problem design because MANY LSx engines eventually develop this type of oil leak. Guess GM figures most owners will be out of warranty BEFORE it happens.... so it will be the customers dime!!
Keep in mind that on LSx engines the pan is considered part of the structural block integrity and is used to increase over all strength! It however should be a relative easy design change to fix this extremely annoying problem. It really BLOWS to have a nice vette leaking oil for no other reason other than a poorly designed oil pan..................
#3
Race Director
Member Since: Apr 2007
Location: Toronto, Canada
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C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
Yes it's a problem and already had my 06 done... out of warranty of course! However mine was done by a authorized Chevy dealership and it cost me under a grand! Have no idea why your dealer would be claiming over 2 grand for a MAX 10 hour job? Yes it's a fairly complex job but GM allows about 8 hours (book).. not 20 hours. Now unless your dealership is charging 200 bucks an hour I fail to see how it could cost over 2 grand? Seems a little steep to me even with WA prices...
You are correct in that GM should have long since fixed this problem design because MANY LSx engines eventually develop this type of oil leak. Guess GM figures most owners will be out of warranty BEFORE it happens.... so it will be the customers dime!!
Keep in mind that on LSx engines the pan is considered part of the structural block integrity and is used to increase over all strength! It however should be a relative easy design change to fix this extremely annoying problem. It really BLOWS to have a nice vette leaking oil for no other reason other than a poorly designed oil pan..................
You are correct in that GM should have long since fixed this problem design because MANY LSx engines eventually develop this type of oil leak. Guess GM figures most owners will be out of warranty BEFORE it happens.... so it will be the customers dime!!
Keep in mind that on LSx engines the pan is considered part of the structural block integrity and is used to increase over all strength! It however should be a relative easy design change to fix this extremely annoying problem. It really BLOWS to have a nice vette leaking oil for no other reason other than a poorly designed oil pan..................
#4
Le Mans Master
My 07 (5,800 mile GQ) has had this leak for two plus years now. I keep it on a lift so i have to see it constantly. I just can't bring myself to take it to the dealer for the complicated fix. I'm going to remove and seal the pan screws with 242 and see if that will help. Bummer that GM won't fix this BEFORE they sell the cars (i.e. = redesign). My five years is coming up in January.
Last edited by jimmie jam; 08-13-2011 at 09:13 AM.
#6
Melting Slicks
What I find more interesting is the inconsistency of build standards where things like the oil leak noted occurs on some? many? LS engines then there are ones like mine...I changed the oil and filter this week and took this pic (always document just in case something does happen)...not a nary of oil leaking and very little evidence of the porous oil pan syndrome>>
My C6 is a 2005 (took delivery in Nov 2004) but is a low mileage car.
My C6 is a 2005 (took delivery in Nov 2004) but is a low mileage car.
#7
Le Mans Master
That does not look like a porous oil pan. you have seepage from the gasket area just like mine (mine is worse). you can tell by the discoloration pattern. A porous pan would be "wet" all over. That being said, yours looks fine if you've never cleaned the pan surface. I wish mine looked like that.
#8
Instructor
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I just had this done on my 2007 with 13500 miles. It was no charge warranty at the dealer. They just replaced and re-torched the pan bolts. I have dye in my oil and will re-check after I get a thousand or so miles. Their warranty work has a 12 month warranty on itself. My 5 year coverage will expire before then. The service manager stated that if an oil pan/gasket replacement was involved that a front toe adjustment would be provided---not a 4 wheel alignment. I read a lot of threads after I first noticed my oil pan wet spot and there seems to be a some confusion whether it is a toe adjustment or alignment---I'm still not sure. I have had perfect tire wear and hope the pan bolts were my fix because I am not sure I want to take a chance of creating more problems by replacing the pan or gasket. I never had a drop of oil on my garage floor or a low dipstick level----only saw oil on the pan during my last oil change.
#9
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
when done to my '08 last year, the pan was replaced and no alignment done. tech said he'd done many and knew how to mark the cradle and front end parts to reassemble w/o needing an alignment. he was correct. he also completed the work in just under 5 hours. warranty work.
#10
Le Mans Master
Interesting that the cars with the leaks seem to be mostly garage queens.
#11
Racer
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Originally Posted by cthusker
Yes it's a problem and already had my 06 done... out of warranty of course! However mine was done by a authorized Chevy dealership and it cost me under a grand! Have no idea why your dealer would be claiming over 2 grand for a MAX 10 hour job? Yes it's a fairly complex job but GM allows about 8 hours (book).. not 20 hours. Now unless your dealership is charging 200 bucks an hour I fail to see how it could cost over 2 grand? Seems a little steep to me even with WA prices...
You are probably correct on the amount they actually billed GM
for the repair.
I had 2 front tires replaced, a 4-way alignment,
a rear speaker replaced and a DRL Light replaced,
the front air dam replaced and a couple of interior lights,
with taxe that came to around a thousand, if you
subtract that, the balance was about a thousand
they billed GM for the oil leak repair.
Didn't intend to mislead anyone on the actual repair
cost, I hope this explains it.
Yes it's a problem and already had my 06 done... out of warranty of course! However mine was done by a authorized Chevy dealership and it cost me under a grand! Have no idea why your dealer would be claiming over 2 grand for a MAX 10 hour job? Yes it's a fairly complex job but GM allows about 8 hours (book).. not 20 hours. Now unless your dealership is charging 200 bucks an hour I fail to see how it could cost over 2 grand? Seems a little steep to me even with WA prices...
You are probably correct on the amount they actually billed GM
for the repair.
I had 2 front tires replaced, a 4-way alignment,
a rear speaker replaced and a DRL Light replaced,
the front air dam replaced and a couple of interior lights,
with taxe that came to around a thousand, if you
subtract that, the balance was about a thousand
they billed GM for the oil leak repair.
Didn't intend to mislead anyone on the actual repair
cost, I hope this explains it.
#13
Racer
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Location: Bayside, NY & Lake Worth, FL
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2007 purchased April 2007, 16K miles
When I brought my car in for an oil change, about 4 weeks ago, to a Chevy dealer, the service writer (SW) said I had an oil pan leak and would need a new gasket.
Me: how much?
SW: let me look it up, $1,000.00, (8 hour labor, $45 part)
Me: Is this covered under the five year warranty?
SW: No
Me: Go home and search CF, aha, it is covered. Call back SW who gets back to me with: Yes it would be covered I just would have to call GM first.
Me: do you have a corvette tech?
SW: No, a qualified tech would be assigned. Have to leave the car 1-2 days.
So now what, the dealer is Maroone in Lake Worth FL. Do I trust them, go elsewhere? There are a couple of other dealers with 25 miles, including another Maroone dealership.
As others have stated, this is an ongoing problem which most of us just never notice. Thank G-d it will be covered, but I think I will always be worried that they screw up something else.
When I brought my car in for an oil change, about 4 weeks ago, to a Chevy dealer, the service writer (SW) said I had an oil pan leak and would need a new gasket.
Me: how much?
SW: let me look it up, $1,000.00, (8 hour labor, $45 part)
Me: Is this covered under the five year warranty?
SW: No
Me: Go home and search CF, aha, it is covered. Call back SW who gets back to me with: Yes it would be covered I just would have to call GM first.
Me: do you have a corvette tech?
SW: No, a qualified tech would be assigned. Have to leave the car 1-2 days.
So now what, the dealer is Maroone in Lake Worth FL. Do I trust them, go elsewhere? There are a couple of other dealers with 25 miles, including another Maroone dealership.
As others have stated, this is an ongoing problem which most of us just never notice. Thank G-d it will be covered, but I think I will always be worried that they screw up something else.
#14
Le Mans Master
GM almost never fixes a problem, as long as they have parts on hand or already ordered. They will continue to install know problem parts until they run out. Seems like a terrible thing to say, but I have seen it over and over. If there is only a small chance of a life threatening situation, or of law suits, they will use 'em up.
#15
Instructor
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2007 purchased April 2007, 16K miles
When I brought my car in for an oil change, about 4 weeks ago, to a Chevy dealer, the service writer (SW) said I had an oil pan leak and would need a new gasket.
Me: how much?
SW: let me look it up, $1,000.00, (8 hour labor, $45 part)
Me: Is this covered under the five year warranty?
SW: No
Me: Go home and search CF, aha, it is covered. Call back SW who gets back to me with: Yes it would be covered I just would have to call GM first.
Me: do you have a corvette tech?
SW: No, a qualified tech would be assigned. Have to leave the car 1-2 days.
So now what, the dealer is Maroone in Lake Worth FL. Do I trust them, go elsewhere? There are a couple of other dealers with 25 miles, including another Maroone dealership.
As others have stated, this is an ongoing problem which most of us just never notice. Thank G-d it will be covered, but I think I will always be worried that they screw up something else.
When I brought my car in for an oil change, about 4 weeks ago, to a Chevy dealer, the service writer (SW) said I had an oil pan leak and would need a new gasket.
Me: how much?
SW: let me look it up, $1,000.00, (8 hour labor, $45 part)
Me: Is this covered under the five year warranty?
SW: No
Me: Go home and search CF, aha, it is covered. Call back SW who gets back to me with: Yes it would be covered I just would have to call GM first.
Me: do you have a corvette tech?
SW: No, a qualified tech would be assigned. Have to leave the car 1-2 days.
So now what, the dealer is Maroone in Lake Worth FL. Do I trust them, go elsewhere? There are a couple of other dealers with 25 miles, including another Maroone dealership.
As others have stated, this is an ongoing problem which most of us just never notice. Thank G-d it will be covered, but I think I will always be worried that they screw up something else.
#16
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St. Jude Donor '13
Yes it's a problem and already had my 06 done... out of warranty of course! However mine was done by a authorized Chevy dealership and it cost me under a grand! Have no idea why your dealer would be claiming over 2 grand for a MAX 10 hour job? Yes it's a fairly complex job but GM allows about 8 hours (book).. not 20 hours. Now unless your dealership is charging 200 bucks an hour I fail to see how it could cost over 2 grand? Seems a little steep to me even with WA prices...
You are correct in that GM should have long since fixed this problem design because MANY LSx engines eventually develop this type of oil leak. Guess GM figures most owners will be out of warranty BEFORE it happens.... so it will be the customers dime!!
Keep in mind that on LSx engines the pan is considered part of the structural block integrity and is used to increase over all strength! It however should be a relative easy design change to fix this extremely annoying problem. It really BLOWS to have a nice vette leaking oil for no other reason other than a poorly designed oil pan..................
You are correct in that GM should have long since fixed this problem design because MANY LSx engines eventually develop this type of oil leak. Guess GM figures most owners will be out of warranty BEFORE it happens.... so it will be the customers dime!!
Keep in mind that on LSx engines the pan is considered part of the structural block integrity and is used to increase over all strength! It however should be a relative easy design change to fix this extremely annoying problem. It really BLOWS to have a nice vette leaking oil for no other reason other than a poorly designed oil pan..................
#17
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St. Jude Donor '13
#18
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How do you know the oil pan is leaking and not some other part? The oil pan gasket can leak, the front cover seal can leak and the main bearing cross bolts can leak. Just because the oil pan is wet it doesn't mean it is the oil pan that is leaking. The leak on my LS7 was from the front cover seal.
Bill
Bill
#19
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How do you know the oil pan is leaking and not some other part? The oil pan gasket can leak, the front cover seal can leak and the main bearing cross bolts can leak. Just because the oil pan is wet it doesn't mean it is the oil pan that is leaking. The leak on my LS7 was from the front cover seal.
Bill
Bill
#20
Le Mans Master