[Cruzeguyx1]

Just came across this site. Really frustrated right now. We just bought bought our 2016 cruze with 22,000 miles. We had previously leased it and loved the car and decided to buy it. We have been the only owners. All oil changes have been conducted with dealer. One week after purchasing, took for basic oil change and told that oil pan gasket was leaking! Tech tells me "you didn't hear it from me" but this is a common issue on these. Then told me to go right over to service dept and let them know. Service manager proceeds to tell ask me "did he show you the leak?" (He did not) and then tells me they will schedule to look at it, but if it just has oil on it and is not "dripping" they can't repair under warranty. I was not happy to say the least! They scheduled me in tomorrow morning to look at it. I'm really hoping they don't screw me over. I can not believe GM is producing vehicles that can't even run 50k without leaking something! What a racket! Has anyone been told anything similar by gm dealerships regarding gasket repair?

 

[Cruzeguyx1]

I'm pretty sure this is a "common" issue, along with the number 1 piston problem. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I call BS on the dripping vs oil precense on the pan. I mean it came from somewhere, if I have a unit under warranty with an oil leak it gets repaired regardless of the amount it's leaking.

Thanks a lot for the response, Junkie and Honda tech! I really appreciate it!

I am glad to hear you say that it is an easy do DIY job. I am very mechanically inclined and use to do all of my own work on my vehicles, besides heavy engine repair. I've just never had this new of a vehicle. Previous vehicle before this was a 07 malibu SS that I bought used, 45k and had a oil pan gasket leak a month after I bought it along with a host of other issues. On that vehicle, the pan was over a cross member and the engine basicly had to be lifted out partially to get to it. I paid for that to be fixed only to total it on a deer a week later.

I agree with Honda on BS with the warranty issue. I think it's completely absurd. The pan isn't just picking up that much oil or grease off the road. It is coming from some place. I'm also wondering if it may be the rear main seal? It seems like they want to see an active drip. The service manager sure seemed like they were on the defense and didn't want to guarantee it. Her exact words were, "Did he show you the leak, was it dripping? Well, if it's not dripping, it won't be in the parameters for GM to repair under warranty." I then told her it was pretty crazy to me that some GM vehicles have leaking gaskets at 20k. She then said, "You wouldn't believe what we see, nothing surprises me."

I've had chevy cavaliers, S10's that gaskets lasted easily up to 80-100k. With the engineering and technologies these days, GM can't build an engine that will at least run 80k or better under normal maintained vehicle conditions without a gasket leaking? These warranties are completely useless. Many cars of the 90's lasted longer.

It's just downright dirty business what some of these dealers are pulling. I hope that tomorrow goes well at the dealer. I and my wife were just starting to get our finances in order and have a decent loan out on this vehicle. I love this car but I'm praying this isn't hints of what's to come.

Thanks again guys. I'm really glad to be part of this group. I will surely let you know what happens at dealer tomorrow.

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[Cruzeguyx1]

On the good side, no expenses on your part if there is a leak. These engines have no formal pan 'gasket'. Just a thin bead of GMS (silicone).
As you stated, a leak is a leak, whether it makes a droplet or not, however, it is not uncommon to see 'wisping' at a seam......wisping is more along the lines of a dampish stain that dirt/debris can collect on.
I suspect your car has had this concern virtually from new but either no one picked up on it or it has reached a point that it can be noticed.

It would give your post more value if you had been given the opportunity to actually see the area in question and I would recommend you be shown the area before any service takes place next week........this way, if there is a leak that requires resealing you can monitor the area to be certain the problem is resolved.

IMO, the service manager is speaking from her rectum.......the mechanic determines if the concern should be addressed.
If you don't agree with how this is resolved, just go to a different dealer.

I look forward to the rest of the story.

Good Luck!
Rob

Rob,

Thanks so much for your insight. Very logically explained and I appreciate your time in response. I'm currently at dealer waiting for them to look at it. Got a different service adviser this morning who tried to get me to buy a 50 dollar recommend air filter in cabin she said was due for replacement. Also subtly tried to get me to look into extended warranty, after 36K. All before even looking at the leak.

She was very nice but I can't believe she was already trying to pull in the bucks from me. Depending on the outcome, I may never return for any mechanical work here. I will complete my own repairs, if possible or seek my old local certified repair guy. We shall soon see.

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[Cruzeguyx1]

1.5 hr waiting at dealer and they come out to tell me that the mechanic sees "dampness" on oil pan gasket but appears to be very light oil leak somewhere. Service manager says they put dye in engine and want us to put 200 miles on engine and return it to them. She says mechanic needs to see exactly where leak is coming from (smart). She also said they will then make repair under warranty, wherever they find it leaking on engine. They also ran a "world class inspection" as listed on invoice with no other issues.

It seems like they are treating me well now. Hopefully, they get to the bottom of this and get it fixed. Will keep everyone posted further. Thanks again fellas.

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[Cruzeguyx1]

I wonder if they will find a rear main seal leak? That would be really premature if found, wouldn't you think?

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[Cruzeguyx1]

My vehicle is the 2016 LT Turbo 1.4.

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[Cruzeguyx1]

Update: Oil pan was leaking and dealer replaced with new sealant. They needed to keep it sitting for a day after repair for sealent to cure I guess.

Hopefully, this resolves the problem. Still disappointed to have dealt with a leak already on such a new vehicle.

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[Cruzeguyx1]

Leaks are not that uncommon as people think. Go to any car brand forum and you will see complaints of engine oil or other fluid leaks and even water leaks. It happens. I have 18k on mine and no oil leaks at all and most others don't either. Their are some that are leaking from the gasket but very few and are being fixed for free. It happens. Remember these engines are still built by humans and none of us are perfect everyday.

It's a new vehicle with 22k mileage! I disagree. Very poorly built vehicles with cheap parts. Defective as soon as they are turned off the line. So we should just expect things like this when buying a new car these days? I'll just buy high mileage used next time around. Same odds of breakdown.

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[Cruzeguyx1]

This is why there are warranties........be glad you caught it on Chevy's dime........you'd really be annoyed if it was on you.

Rob

I am glad I caught it. And yes, I surely would have been. I'm glad GM stood by the repair. I did have to press the dealer at first though.

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[Cruzeguyx1]

By this logic...

our Honda Accord had a bad alternator with 9,000 miles on the car.

Then continued to run for the next 10 years absolutely and completely trouble-free.

What a piece of crap! Terribly built vehicle with cheap parts!

That is shocking. It's a Honda. Those things run 200K easily without any extra maintenance. Everyone knows how great those things hold value.

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