leaking oil pan.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Verona Wi
leaking oil pan.
I had the rear left seal replaced last week and I noticed a burning oil smell yesterday. Well, I just got back from the Chevy dealer and they showed me that the oil pan is now leaking. There was oil on the filter and around that area up by the seals. They said it would cost about $800 to replace the gasket, change the oil and realaign the four wheels. I obviously can't do the work myself so I ask, is this a common problem on a 98 with 48k on the car? I checked the tech section and found nothing. Cindy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
replacing an oil pan gasket does not cost 800 dollars
They are really trying to hurt you. Never go back there
I had mine replaced and i know i did not pay nearly a grand to fix it.
i do not even think i paid 200
I think you can be safe to say after 48k miles it is normal to replace an oil pan gasket.
I would call a few different shops and just ask how much to replace an oil pan gasket on your vette. I bet you will not ever hear 800
btw i would also take it to a car wash and clean up the oil mess they gave you and then take it someplace else and find out if it is still leaking. The smell you have is probably just from their messy work on the oil change/ filter change. I found that my oil pan was leaking by finding oil resdue on the differential at the back of the car being blown back from the pan.
Oil from the oil pan will not drip on your engine but possibly your exhaust
I think these guys are trying to get you to do a normal maintenance dealer rip off and all they did is spill some oil on your engine.
Either let it burn off or clean it up. I do not think you would smell any oil from the oil pan personally.
They are really trying to hurt you. Never go back there
I had mine replaced and i know i did not pay nearly a grand to fix it.
i do not even think i paid 200
I think you can be safe to say after 48k miles it is normal to replace an oil pan gasket.
I would call a few different shops and just ask how much to replace an oil pan gasket on your vette. I bet you will not ever hear 800
btw i would also take it to a car wash and clean up the oil mess they gave you and then take it someplace else and find out if it is still leaking. The smell you have is probably just from their messy work on the oil change/ filter change. I found that my oil pan was leaking by finding oil resdue on the differential at the back of the car being blown back from the pan.
Oil from the oil pan will not drip on your engine but possibly your exhaust
I think these guys are trying to get you to do a normal maintenance dealer rip off and all they did is spill some oil on your engine.
Either let it burn off or clean it up. I do not think you would smell any oil from the oil pan personally.
Last edited by Got uid0; Oct 30, 2007 at 12:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Verona Wi
When I looked under the car at the dealer, I was there when they lifted it. Oil is coming from the filter area and getting blown onto the exhaust and burning. The pipe was still wet with oil. Either the oil filter is leaking or the gasket. I'll call another dealer and see what they say. Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,401
Likes: 3
From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
I would say that they didn't really do their job when installing the filter. There is no real gasket around the oil filter on the pan, just the gasket "ON" the oil filter.
Get it to an independent or someone you trust and have them take a look. 800$'s is a joke.
Better yet see if there is a forum member in your area with a jack who like beer and give them a PM.
We are all in this together. Stealership spells it all and a stealership isn't in Star Trek.
Regards
The Pup
Get it to an independent or someone you trust and have them take a look. 800$'s is a joke.
Better yet see if there is a forum member in your area with a jack who like beer and give them a PM.
We are all in this together. Stealership spells it all and a stealership isn't in Star Trek.
Regards
The Pup
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
When I looked under the car at the dealer, I was there when they lifted it. Oil is coming from the filter area and getting blown onto the exhaust and burning. The pipe was still wet with oil. Either the oil filter is leaking or the gasket. I'll call another dealer and see what they say. Thanks
Never use a dealer for anything but warranty work and even then it is scary
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,457
Likes: 0
From: bolckow missouri
it sounds like they f'd up when they changed the oil , either they did not make sure the old gasket came off , or did not properly get the new filter on . 
i think they are trying to rob you
oak
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Verona Wi
I thought the same thing about the oil filter being loose but the oil change is from last fall before storage. I know you all think that's along time ago, but I take the car to the marina in Door County and stay on the boat all summer. Soooo, the car doesn't get that much use. The oil burning smell just started alittle while ago so I assumed that it would have leaked right after the oil change. Since I'm going to store it soon, I hate to change the oil before storage only to have to pay to change it with the gasket repair in the spring if it's still leaking. You all know what an oil change costs. Can I take off the filter and put on a new one without loosing all the oil? Do pan gaskets fail that often? I called another Chevy dealer and a local garage and they said it's about 7 hours labor and the local garage said they won't even do it. (they changed the oil last fall). I trust them and the Chevy dealer said it'll be about $675 to fix it. Better then $800 but still alot. Help. Cindy
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,653
Likes: 6
From: North Royalton, OH
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
This is really what it sounds like. You can remove the filter and replace it without losing much oil at all. I bet you find a couple pieces of the old filter gasket stuck on the mating surface when you get that filter off. Also, has anyone else actually LOOKED at the area? It sounds like you have called the other repair locations and received a quote, but maybe on the wrong work to be done. Good luck!
Last edited by BSiegPaint; Oct 30, 2007 at 03:39 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,401
Likes: 3
From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
If you can get under it and post a picture I'm sure that it would be possible to see just what the problem is.
Oil pan just does not make sense.
Are there any CF members close to you that you could PM and have them take a look?
Regards
The Pup
Oil pan just does not make sense.
Are there any CF members close to you that you could PM and have them take a look?
Regards
The Pup
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
Likes: 6
From: Winchester TN
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi Cindy -
You mention that the same dealer replaced a "rear left seal".
What is that? I can look in my manual to see what the labor is like on an oil pan - sounds like they have to remove the steering ram and some other components to get the pan off.
The oil filter mounting location is higher up into a pocket than the pan-to-block surface, so it should be relatively simple to see if the oil is coming from up above on the oil filter to mount surface or the oil pan to block surface.
If it is the oil pan leaking, this is not a common problem - I have not seen one in 6 years on this forum and working on many C5's in my area.
That is not to say that it cannot happen, but I would be prone to suspect that some outside force came into play during your recent "seal" replacement.
Could you elaborate - perhaps any part numbers etc that are on the invoice from the prior service?
best regards -
mqqn
You mention that the same dealer replaced a "rear left seal".
What is that? I can look in my manual to see what the labor is like on an oil pan - sounds like they have to remove the steering ram and some other components to get the pan off.
The oil filter mounting location is higher up into a pocket than the pan-to-block surface, so it should be relatively simple to see if the oil is coming from up above on the oil filter to mount surface or the oil pan to block surface.
If it is the oil pan leaking, this is not a common problem - I have not seen one in 6 years on this forum and working on many C5's in my area.
That is not to say that it cannot happen, but I would be prone to suspect that some outside force came into play during your recent "seal" replacement.
Could you elaborate - perhaps any part numbers etc that are on the invoice from the prior service?
best regards -
mqqn
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
Hi Cindy -
You mention that the same dealer replaced a "rear left seal".
What is that? I can look in my manual to see what the labor is like on an oil pan - sounds like they have to remove the steering ram and some other components to get the pan off.
The oil filter mounting location is higher up into a pocket than the pan-to-block surface, so it should be relatively simple to see if the oil is coming from up above on the oil filter to mount surface or the oil pan to block surface.
If it is the oil pan leaking, this is not a common problem - I have not seen one in 6 years on this forum and working on many C5's in my area.
That is not to say that it cannot happen, but I would be prone to suspect that some outside force came into play during your recent "seal" replacement.
Could you elaborate - perhaps any part numbers etc that are on the invoice from the prior service?
best regards -
mqqn
You mention that the same dealer replaced a "rear left seal".
What is that? I can look in my manual to see what the labor is like on an oil pan - sounds like they have to remove the steering ram and some other components to get the pan off.
The oil filter mounting location is higher up into a pocket than the pan-to-block surface, so it should be relatively simple to see if the oil is coming from up above on the oil filter to mount surface or the oil pan to block surface.
If it is the oil pan leaking, this is not a common problem - I have not seen one in 6 years on this forum and working on many C5's in my area.
That is not to say that it cannot happen, but I would be prone to suspect that some outside force came into play during your recent "seal" replacement.
Could you elaborate - perhaps any part numbers etc that are on the invoice from the prior service?
best regards -
mqqn
Maybe they just tightened the bolts on my pan and charged me lol??
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 900
Likes: 38
From: Waunakee Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '20
I thought the same thing about the oil filter being loose but the oil change is from last fall before storage. I know you all think that's along time ago, but I take the car to the marina in Door County and stay on the boat all summer. Soooo, the car doesn't get that much use. The oil burning smell just started alittle while ago so I assumed that it would have leaked right after the oil change. Since I'm going to store it soon, I hate to change the oil before storage only to have to pay to change it with the gasket repair in the spring if it's still leaking. You all know what an oil change costs. Can I take off the filter and put on a new one without loosing all the oil? Do pan gaskets fail that often? I called another Chevy dealer and a local garage and they said it's about 7 hours labor and the local garage said they won't even do it. (they changed the oil last fall). I trust them and the Chevy dealer said it'll be about $675 to fix it. Better then $800 but still alot. Help. Cindy
You could also have a bad rear main seal. Unlike the pan gasket, that one will not be cheap regardless of where you go. Try a different oil filter to be sure. That's an easy one.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Verona Wi
Yes, they are T and B. The dealers said that the lower gasket needs to be replaced. The left rear seal is on the axel and that repair worked and only cost $315. I think I'm going to get the oil changed for storage and maybe get a better look at the oil filter area at that time. Then I'm going to check it for leaks and put it into storage. It's maybe going to snow on Tues. so time to say good bye to the Vette. I'll take some pics of me and the car before I store it and post them. Cindy
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Verona Wi
By the way, I'm the one who took down Capitol Corvettes. Dave stole my 1978 Corvette and many others. I bought the 78' in Waunakee. Insurance paid for mine but alot of people lost their cars and money. Dave is now in federal prison where he belongs. Is there someone you recommend in our area? I know that there used to be a guy up the road from the old Capitol Corvettes.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,802
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'08
replacing an oil pan gasket does not cost 800 dollars
They are really trying to hurt you. Never go back there
I had mine replaced and i know i did not pay nearly a grand to fix it.
i do not even think i paid 200
I think you can be safe to say after 48k miles it is normal to replace an oil pan gasket.
I would call a few different shops and just ask how much to replace an oil pan gasket on your vette. I bet you will not ever hear 800
btw i would also take it to a car wash and clean up the oil mess they gave you and then take it someplace else and find out if it is still leaking. The smell you have is probably just from their messy work on the oil change/ filter change. I found that my oil pan was leaking by finding oil resdue on the differential at the back of the car being blown back from the pan.
Oil from the oil pan will not drip on your engine but possibly your exhaust
I think these guys are trying to get you to do a normal maintenance dealer rip off and all they did is spill some oil on your engine.
Either let it burn off or clean it up. I do not think you would smell any oil from the oil pan personally.
They are really trying to hurt you. Never go back there
I had mine replaced and i know i did not pay nearly a grand to fix it.
i do not even think i paid 200
I think you can be safe to say after 48k miles it is normal to replace an oil pan gasket.
I would call a few different shops and just ask how much to replace an oil pan gasket on your vette. I bet you will not ever hear 800
btw i would also take it to a car wash and clean up the oil mess they gave you and then take it someplace else and find out if it is still leaking. The smell you have is probably just from their messy work on the oil change/ filter change. I found that my oil pan was leaking by finding oil resdue on the differential at the back of the car being blown back from the pan.
Oil from the oil pan will not drip on your engine but possibly your exhaust
I think these guys are trying to get you to do a normal maintenance dealer rip off and all they did is spill some oil on your engine.
Either let it burn off or clean it up. I do not think you would smell any oil from the oil pan personally.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 0
From: Deerfield VA
St. Jude Donor '07
replacing an oil pan gasket does not cost 800 dollars
They are really trying to hurt you. Never go back there
I had mine replaced and i know i did not pay nearly a grand to fix it.
i do not even think i paid 200
I think you can be safe to say after 48k miles it is normal to replace an oil pan gasket.
I would call a few different shops and just ask how much to replace an oil pan gasket on your vette. I bet you will not ever hear 800
btw i would also take it to a car wash and clean up the oil mess they gave you and then take it someplace else and find out if it is still leaking. The smell you have is probably just from their messy work on the oil change/ filter change. I found that my oil pan was leaking by finding oil resdue on the differential at the back of the car being blown back from the pan.
Oil from the oil pan will not drip on your engine but possibly your exhaust
I think these guys are trying to get you to do a normal maintenance dealer rip off and all they did is spill some oil on your engine.
Either let it burn off or clean it up. I do not think you would smell any oil from the oil pan personally.
They are really trying to hurt you. Never go back there
I had mine replaced and i know i did not pay nearly a grand to fix it.
i do not even think i paid 200
I think you can be safe to say after 48k miles it is normal to replace an oil pan gasket.
I would call a few different shops and just ask how much to replace an oil pan gasket on your vette. I bet you will not ever hear 800
btw i would also take it to a car wash and clean up the oil mess they gave you and then take it someplace else and find out if it is still leaking. The smell you have is probably just from their messy work on the oil change/ filter change. I found that my oil pan was leaking by finding oil resdue on the differential at the back of the car being blown back from the pan.
Oil from the oil pan will not drip on your engine but possibly your exhaust
I think these guys are trying to get you to do a normal maintenance dealer rip off and all they did is spill some oil on your engine.
Either let it burn off or clean it up. I do not think you would smell any oil from the oil pan personally.
(for the last 50 years) Sorry, sometimes I just can't resist being a FORD smart-azz!!!! Don't worry, I love my 'Vette despite it's leaky valve covers! John