Chasing oil leaks

809 Views 12 Replies 3 Participants Last post by rwagoner, 2 mo ago

rwagoner

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

My 2012 1.4 is under an extended warranty due to a deal GM made a couple years ago (due to a bad turbo and cat plus the first dealer screwed things up worse) … car runs great, gets good mileage, and has about 88,000 miles now.

Before activating the warranty, they did a full check on the engine and trans and had me get an oil leak fixed. I can’t recall exactly what was done (I seem to recall some sort of engine cover with a crack, though that might have been another time … this car has leaked more often than not since new) but it worked… for a while. It started again!

The leak is coming off the transmission but is indeed oil. Last December they changed the rear main and the oil pan gasket. Still leaked, same spot, about a six inch spot in the driveway overnight. Not too much on the engine itself.

Today I picked it up again; they changed the intake manifold and an axle seal (right side). Seems to be leaking still, though it could be oil that built up in cracks and crevices, I do plan to drive it and see what happens, but am wondering of there is anything else to check. Plus am wondering if the recent changes could indeed leak down in that area.

Thanks!

Save

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

Cruzing12

· #2 · 2 mo ago

For the 1.4's once they start leaking oil it is generally a PCV situation... A two integral piece system. One piece being the intake manifold, containing a check valve to prevent turbo boost from pressurizing said engine cavity. And the valve cover, containing the pressure regulating diaphragm.

Looks like they replaced the intake manifold, but is there anything noted on the valve cover?

Axle seals can be finicky, but not as finicky as hitting it with some brake cleaner, "note to the mechanic"

Save

rwagoner

Discussion Starter · #3 · 2 mo ago

Nothing was noted on the valve cover, which has been changed once before (about four years if memory is right). I also noted that there is a lot of suction in -not air out- when I take out the dip stick or remove the oil cap at idle, so I think PCV is good. It was that way with the old intake aa well. I can certainly ask.

Save

rwagoner

Discussion Starter · #4 · 2 mo ago

Oh… I should note that the just-replaced intake was replaced before, after the valve cover replacement. I do not recall how long, though I can look through receipts

Save

rwagoner

Discussion Starter · #5 · 2 mo ago

Sorry for the multiple posts. I just took a look under the car putting it on the curb so I can get a better look. It does kind of look like the leak was coming out of some sort of shaft that comes out of the side. It seems like it’s a transmission shaft though, But regardless, it is right above where the leak is coming from and I am wondering if there is so much build up from spinning that is dripping out of parts in the frame, and I need to just clean all that out.

I wiped it down as best I could. I didn’t actually put any engine cleaner on it, because I want to go surfing…

Save

rwagoner

Discussion Starter · #6 · 2 mo ago

Automotive tire Motor vehicle Hood Automotive exterior Bumper

Vehicle Automotive tire Motor vehicle Tread Automotive exterior

Here’s the leak. I can wipe down the “v” and it will weep like this within a minute. Is that seam the trans/engine seam? I noticed they put silicone there most of which came off… is it supposed to be there?). Leaking there- would it be the rear main or the oil pan? Or something else?

Thanks again for any tips!

See less See more

Save

rwagoner

Discussion Starter · #7 · 2 mo ago

And a related question, is the hole that actually looks like a drain hole just up from the bottom of the V supposed to be filled with something like silicone? Or is it supposed to be open?

Save

Cruzing12

· #8 · 2 mo ago

Silicone is definitely not sopposed to be there... Seeing all those mechanic videos on YouTube leads me to believe the rear main was either never done ( competently) or some one thought RTV is a cure all

I'm not sure on the turbo AT models but generally there is sopposed to be a drain hole for said oil to weep out of and never in my life have I seen, or heard the need for sealer in that location, other than to hide a job that was never done.

If they fixed it there shouldn't be any need for sealer like that, the fact some sealer fell off, and that the location is wet leads me to believe the rear main is still leaking.

Save

rwagoner

Discussion Starter · #9 · 2 mo ago

Cruzing12 said:
Silicone is definitely not sopposed to be there... Seeing all those mechanic videos on YouTube leads me to believe the rear main was either never done ( competently) or some one thought RTV is a cure all

I'm not sure on the turbo AT models but generally there is sopposed to be a drain hole for said oil to weep out of and never in my life have I seen, or heard the need for sealer in that location, other than to hide a job that was never done.

If they fixed it there shouldn't be any need for sealer like that, the fact some sealer fell off, and that the location is wet leads me to believe the rear main is still leaking.

That’s exactly what I was thinking. It’s odd because normally their work is pretty good. But I think this is pretty pathetic.

Do you happen to know if when a repair like this was covered by the extended warranty from GM, can it be repaired by another dealer, or does the original repairing dealer need to do it?

it’s not that I’m actually worried about having it done right because I think that this will be a little bit embarrassing to them and they will fix it right. But my son lives up in San Luis Obispo and he needs the car back, and we live in Los Angeles.

Save

rwagoner

Discussion Starter · #10 · 2 mo ago

Although I will say, I have never been impressed by the way they change the seal on the oil pan either. Way too much silicone being pushed out. Both times

Save

Cruzing12

· #11 · 2 mo ago

Automotive tire Wood Gas Motor vehicle Automotive wheel system

Recently rebuilt a 1.8l... and sealant goes in sparsely thin ( literally finger painted it on)

That's why I cringe when I have to go to a mechanics.. best rated in town even.... Go in for an alignment and change power steering rack a year late because the guy shredded the dust boots and said nothing.

Or or well bill you $100 for 4 OEM bolts, but end up welding it together.

See less See more

Save

Desacrasa

· #12 · 2 mo ago

rwagoner said:
My 2012 1.4 is under an extended warranty due to a deal GM made a couple years ago (due to a bad turbo and cat plus the first dealer screwed things up worse) … car runs great, gets good mileage, and has about 88,000 miles now.

Before activating the warranty, they did a full check on the engine and trans and had me get an oil leak fixed. I can’t recall exactly what was done (I seem to recall some sort of engine cover with a crack, though that might have been another time … this car has leaked more often than not since new) but it worked… for a while. It started again!

The leak is coming off the transmission but is indeed oil. Last December they changed the rear main and the oil pan gasket. Still leaked, same spot, about a six inch spot in the driveway overnight. Not too much on the engine itself.

Today I picked it up again; they changed the intake manifold and an axle seal (right side). Seems to be leaking still, though it could be oil that built up in cracks and crevices, I do plan to drive it and see what happens, but am wondering of there is anything else to check. Plus am wondering if the recent changes could indeed leak down in that area.

Thanks!

What is that area the oil is leaking from in the pictures in this thread?

Save

rwagoner

Discussion Starter · #13 · 2 mo ago

Desacrasa said:
What is that area the oil is leaking from in the pictures in this thread?

The drip is coming from the bell housing area, I believe. It is the seam between the engine and the transmission. No other oil is coming from anywhere else.

I think the rear main was never changed and the guy tried to seal the bottom to hold the oil in. The dealer is aware of the leaking still, and was also informed about the lack of nut tightening on the tie-rod end (another thread). The service writer was as angry/disappointed as I was on all of it.

Save

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

Top Contributors this Month