Major guard
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 383
Likes: 15
From: CA
Major guard
I have the Major Guard extended warranty and took the car in for an oil leak. There is oil residue in the bottom of the bell housing and there was a small wet drip on the left rear of the engine at the bell housing/transmission that the service writer saw when we put in on a lift. The tech did not see the drip and called it "residual at pan filter area." The tech supposedly added eng oil dye and will reevaluate at next oil change using a black light. The dealership rep explained the GM extended warranty will require their warranty rep examine the car because its going to be a big job and GMPP would deny the claim if the dealership did not go this route. Is this normal? The leak is either the rear main seal or possibly the slave cylinder?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,651
Likes: 6
From: redlands,ca.-usa
I have the Major Guard extended warranty and took the car in for an oil leak. There is oil residue in the bottom of the bell housing and there was a small wet drip on the left rear of the engine at the bell housing/transmission that the service writer saw when we put in on a lift. The tech did not see the drip and called it "residual at pan filter area." The tech supposedly added eng oil dye and will reevaluate at next oil change using a black light. The dealership rep explained the GM extended warranty will require their warranty rep examine the car because its going to be a big job and GMPP would deny the claim if the dealership did not go this route. Is this normal? The leak is either the rear main seal or possibly the slave cylinder?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 703
Likes: 1
From: Berwyn IL
Working from memory here, and that is a dangerious thing:
There is a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) for porosity at the rear of some LS blocks. I didn't pay attention to which years or serial numbers it is for. I can look it up when I get home, if no one else posts the info sooner.
At the minimum you might want to mention the TSB (once we find the number) to the Service Writer and/or the tech.
There is a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) for porosity at the rear of some LS blocks. I didn't pay attention to which years or serial numbers it is for. I can look it up when I get home, if no one else posts the info sooner.
At the minimum you might want to mention the TSB (once we find the number) to the Service Writer and/or the tech.
Last edited by 9C1; Oct 27, 2009 at 08:32 AM. Reason: spelling
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 383
Likes: 15
From: CA
Thanks
That would be great, but are you saying that it's normal for the oil to actually seep through the pores of the metal?
In my case we put the car on the rack at the dealership and there was a large area of oil (grime) with one drop of fresh oil at the corner of the trans/bell housing. The service writer saw the oil drop and wiped it with his finger. He stated something to the effect of, there is a problem and we are going to need to tear into it to find the problem. However, they claim since the the tech did not see the drop of oil he could only describe it as "residual oil." Residual oil or seepage is supposedly not covered. If there is TSB that you could point me to that would be nice. It would not be the first time I've actually HAD to bring in my own TSB to resolve an issue. I understand their point of view concerning the GMPP inspector can be very critical and may deny warranty work unless the dealership can definitely point to the source and the specific problem. However, I don't want to let this go and then when my GMPP is expired I'm left with the repair cost. GM needs people like us working for them.
In my case we put the car on the rack at the dealership and there was a large area of oil (grime) with one drop of fresh oil at the corner of the trans/bell housing. The service writer saw the oil drop and wiped it with his finger. He stated something to the effect of, there is a problem and we are going to need to tear into it to find the problem. However, they claim since the the tech did not see the drop of oil he could only describe it as "residual oil." Residual oil or seepage is supposedly not covered. If there is TSB that you could point me to that would be nice. It would not be the first time I've actually HAD to bring in my own TSB to resolve an issue. I understand their point of view concerning the GMPP inspector can be very critical and may deny warranty work unless the dealership can definitely point to the source and the specific problem. However, I don't want to let this go and then when my GMPP is expired I'm left with the repair cost. GM needs people like us working for them.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 703
Likes: 1
From: Berwyn IL
No, I am not saying it is normal. Chevrolet (and other car manufacturers) produce a TSB when they find a known defect. That usually includes a recommended fix. They (the TSBs) are designed to alert Service Writers and Technicians to a known issue and give them a "heads-up" on the recommended repair.
Also, I am not saying the issues described in the TSB are your problem. They may be or they may not be. Without an inspection no one can tell.
I'll look in my paper files tonight. Some folks on this board have access to the electronic versions of the TSBs, as do the dealership employees. I was hoping one of them might see this thread and help out, but failing that we will see what we can do.
Terry
Also, I am not saying the issues described in the TSB are your problem. They may be or they may not be. Without an inspection no one can tell.
I'll look in my paper files tonight. Some folks on this board have access to the electronic versions of the TSBs, as do the dealership employees. I was hoping one of them might see this thread and help out, but failing that we will see what we can do.
Terry
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 703
Likes: 1
From: Berwyn IL
Service Bulletin # 05-06-01-0341
September, 2009
Subject: 5.3L, 5.7L, 6.0L, 6.2L, 7.0L - Engine Oil Leak at Rear Cover Assembly Area (Engine Block Porosity RTV Repair Procedure)
A whole bunch (the whole front page) of models are listed, but all we care about here is: 2003-2010 Chevrolet Corvette
with 5.3L, 5.7L, 6.0L, 6.2L, 7.0L VORTEC Gen III or GEN IV V8 Engine (All Aluminum Block Gen III and Gen IV V8 Engines)
I am not typing the remaining two pages of it, and besides there are pictures.
You have mail.
Terry
September, 2009
Subject: 5.3L, 5.7L, 6.0L, 6.2L, 7.0L - Engine Oil Leak at Rear Cover Assembly Area (Engine Block Porosity RTV Repair Procedure)
A whole bunch (the whole front page) of models are listed, but all we care about here is: 2003-2010 Chevrolet Corvette
with 5.3L, 5.7L, 6.0L, 6.2L, 7.0L VORTEC Gen III or GEN IV V8 Engine (All Aluminum Block Gen III and Gen IV V8 Engines)
I am not typing the remaining two pages of it, and besides there are pictures.
You have mail.
Terry
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
I thought my 05 had a leak. The dealer used the dye and I cleaned off the oil on the pan. It never dripped. It's been four years since they did the dye thing and I do not have a leak. My thought is a little oil was spilled at the factory. Who knows.
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Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,727
Likes: 711
From: Bergen County, NJ
From what I know, the dealership cannot do a 'big job' without a GM rep approving the job. So, I guess they were right, it's normal.
