petsur

About 1000 mi on my GS. Last Sunday took it for a spin going over 4000 RPMs for the first time. Didn't redline it, but gave it several hard runs. After about a 40 minute drive, took her home and parked it in the garage (level). Waited 5 minutes and checked the oil. Down not quite 1/2 a quart. Don't add any oil, close it up and head to work for the week.

Get back yesterday and see a puddle, about 1 qt of oil under the car. Can't see where it's coming from, but the bottom of the engine looks dry. I think it's either coming from the oil tank area or the front of the engine.

Does the oil tank have an overflow? Don't understand why it would burp a quart though. It was a little low, not high??

surburban99

Take it to the dealer!

VCUFAN

Take it in and have them look at it.

shaimerej

Need to have it looked at. Probably something simple. Good luck!

JJC5

You probably cracked the block when you took it over 4,000 RPMs.
Just messin with ya but if the puddle is near the oil tank, it could be a one of the two hoses going to the tank or even the tank itself. Bring it to the dealer. Congrats on the new GS!!

jack5hd

Pop the hood and look and get under car..........could be real simple.loose fitting on hose............

petsur

I'll see if my floor jack can get under there. That car is low!

pewter99

no idea on the issue but I would be pissed

GM'er

I think the last three threads I've seen on new cars with puddles under them have all turned out to be power steering racks. Lets see if we add you to the list when you take it in.

petsur

Does power steering fluid look/smell like motor oil?

simplegto

The rack only leaks a few drops at a time. If you have a quart of oil on the floor you should be able to find that leak easy.

pewter99

one would think...


of course the option we are all overlooking is the OP could be the next Jed Clampett

petsur

What are you trying to say pewter?

CO Lightfoot

Be sure to use jacking pucks!

Or at least don't let your jack contact the body... esp. the plastic rocker panels.

GM'er

I think he is trying to say that you struck oil under your garage, and it's bubbling up from the floor.

petsur

Heck no! I don't have mineral rights and don't want a pump-jack sitting in my new garage!

SUB VETTE

If you got a quart on the floor, the tank should be low that amount if it's motor oil. What's the dip stick showing? If it's not low, its coming from a different source like the power steering rack and the fluid on the floor wouldn't look like engine oil.

pewter99

96GS#007

If it's from the tank or the lines, the puddle should be near the passenger side of the car.

If the puddle is near the very front of the car, then it could be a line or fitting going to the oil cooler.

Under the middle of the engine is a line(s) from the oil system or a gasket.

If your jack doesn't fit under the car, lay a couple 2x4s in front of the front wheels and then drive up on them. You should then be able to get to the jacking points under the car on each side. Personally, I jack the car from the rear cross-member first such that I can put jackstands under the rear jacking points. Then the car is up in the air high enough to lift the front via the front cross-member. I protect the cross-members by using a block of wood between them and the jack.

If it leaked a quart, I'd want to look under there before driving it anywhere. If it's a hose or a fitting, the last thing you need is for it to completely fail during a drive to the dealer and end up taking out the engine due to no oil....or worse yet it sprays on the hot exhaust and catches fire.

JCtx

That's my guess too, especially if OP didn't hit anything, and oil is in front of the engine. I'd lift the car with 2 jacks on each front jacking point (with appropriate pucks, of course), then put jack stands under front crossmember points and investigate. I wouldn't even start the car to drive it over 2x6s since you don't know where it's leaking...and whatever fluid it is, might be low enough to cause damage. It should be pretty obivous what's the problem once under the car. Hopefully something stupid. But if it's the rack, you'll have to flatbed the car to a dealer to avoid damaging the pump.

Finally, my question would be if you leaked any fluids while on your drive. Look in your garage for tell-tale dripping. Hopefully not. If it's the rack, check the fluid level on the pump's reservoir. If empty, and you saw drops on your garage/driveway, I'd push for a new pump too, since it probably ran dry. Good luck, and keep us posted.