Seal between engine/transmission needs replaced
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 118
Likes: 2
From: Plano TX
Seal between engine/transmission needs replaced
Hello all -
Took my '02 C5 with manual tranny to Chevy dealer to day to look at burning oil smell after driving. They said I have two leaks, one on the oil pan and the other between the engine and transmission (this is the expensive one apparently). They want 12 hours of labor to replace that seal. Is there someone in the DFW area who might be able to do this in a reasonable amount of time/cost? I don't have $1800 right now to put toward such a repair...
Any advice appreciated.
UPDATE: rear main engine seal housing gasket is supposedly the culprit.
Took my '02 C5 with manual tranny to Chevy dealer to day to look at burning oil smell after driving. They said I have two leaks, one on the oil pan and the other between the engine and transmission (this is the expensive one apparently). They want 12 hours of labor to replace that seal. Is there someone in the DFW area who might be able to do this in a reasonable amount of time/cost? I don't have $1800 right now to put toward such a repair...
Any advice appreciated.
UPDATE: rear main engine seal housing gasket is supposedly the culprit.
Last edited by Venger; Nov 23, 2011 at 03:22 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,401
Likes: 1,141
From: Dyer, IN
Hello all -
Took my '02 C5 with manual tranny to Chevy dealer to day to look at burning oil smell after driving. They said I have two leaks, one on the oil pan and the other between the engine and transmission (this is the expensive one apparently). They want 12 hours of labor to replace that seal. Is there someone in the DFW area who might be able to do this in a reasonable amount of time/cost? I don't have $1800 right now to put toward such a repair...
Any advice appreciated.
Took my '02 C5 with manual tranny to Chevy dealer to day to look at burning oil smell after driving. They said I have two leaks, one on the oil pan and the other between the engine and transmission (this is the expensive one apparently). They want 12 hours of labor to replace that seal. Is there someone in the DFW area who might be able to do this in a reasonable amount of time/cost? I don't have $1800 right now to put toward such a repair...
Any advice appreciated.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 118
Likes: 2
From: Plano TX
Transmission, transaxle - he said transmission, so I merely repeat it here. Some component they claim is a 12 hour seal replacement for. If you know what that might be, I'd love to know...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 118
Likes: 2
From: Plano TX
Appreciate the info - alas, this exceeds my automotive expertise, but I will put it in the knowledge bank to be sure when I invariably take it somewhere around here for a second opinion...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,401
Likes: 1,141
From: Dyer, IN
Based on your limited automotive expertise/knowledge, I'm not sure what you will absorb from the replies within this thread. The only task I could imagine would take 12 hours, would be a rear main seal, located between the engine and bell housing. I suspect they are guessing, as to the origin of the leak. As already suggested, it could be dripping down from above.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
If your looking for a second opinion on a location to have the work performed, try posting a thread in the regions section for your area and get some recommendations for a local shop that does good work. A chevy dealership is almost certainly going to be the highest cost option. I'm sure there are some local tuners/repair shops near plano texas.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 118
Likes: 2
From: Plano TX
Appreciate the info, thanks!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,401
Likes: 1,141
From: Dyer, IN
Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 876
Likes: 0
This was the problem with mine when I noticed a leak. You can squeeze your hand to the back of the engine and rub around it. You'll know if it's leaking. Rear main seal leaks are much less common than other potential causes of oil leaks.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: TX
If I were you (assuming the leak isn't too bad) I would wait until it's time for a clutch. Since you won't be doing the work yourself, wait until that time comes and then pay the extra difference for them to replace your rear main seal while they are in there. It'll take an extra 10 minutes ontop of the clutch job. Otherwise, that's a lot of labor to pay to remove the drivetrain when all you need is a $20 seal replaced.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Rochester, NY
Safety Car
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From: Lacombe Louisiana
Tech Contributor
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
You need a good mechanic cause,, the STEALERSHIP is trying to worst case scenario you for the wallet empty tactic!
There VERY good at it!! 
My guess would be a small leak from something minor and easily replaceable.
In this picture you can see the oil pressure sensor which commonly leaks, runs down the block and produces all the symptoms your having.
You can clean up the oil and see if you can trace where the origination trail comes from.
I seriously seriously doubt the oil pan seal or rear main seal are the issue. The oil pan gasket failure is almost unheard of. Most likely just needs to be snugged up to the proper torque spec.
BC
There VERY good at it!! My guess would be a small leak from something minor and easily replaceable.
In this picture you can see the oil pressure sensor which commonly leaks, runs down the block and produces all the symptoms your having.
You can clean up the oil and see if you can trace where the origination trail comes from.
I seriously seriously doubt the oil pan seal or rear main seal are the issue. The oil pan gasket failure is almost unheard of. Most likely just needs to be snugged up to the proper torque spec.
BC
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 118
Likes: 2
From: Plano TX
Thanks for all the info buys - Bill, or anyone - in the pic, which part is the pressure sensor? Is it the piece with the orange top and large rust covered bolt housing? Anyone wanna MSPaint a line on that pic? Lots of doohickeys there...
Thanks again for all the advice folks, appreciate the community here...
Thanks again for all the advice folks, appreciate the community here...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,401
Likes: 1,141
From: Dyer, IN
Thanks for all the info buys - Bill, or anyone - in the pic, which part is the pressure sensor? Is it the piece with the orange top and large rust covered bolt housing? Anyone wanna MSPaint a line on that pic? Lots of doohickeys there...
Thanks again for all the advice folks, appreciate the community here...
Thanks again for all the advice folks, appreciate the community here...