Leaking Oil - Need Help
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Leaking Oil - Need Help
Hello All,
Been a while since I have been here and need some assistance.
I just noticed oil in the garage about 3 weeks after having an oil change done. (First time I have ever paid to have my oil changed)
I jacked it up and can see the oil pan is super dirty and coated with oil and the filter has a drip of oil about to fall. I used search, saw this is a common thing and a lot of people brought it to the dealer and got this repaired under the power train warranty.
I have no such warranty and my local chevy dealer is one expensive shop to deal with.
In the past I have always done all car work myself but I no longer have access to the old shop...so I literally have no mechanic I have ever used and I am very paranoid about people touching my car.
I do have a tire guy at Firestone, but after reading the steps involved in replacing the oil pan gasket, I'm not sure if this should be done by a dealer/corvette specific shop?
What do you think I should do?
Been a while since I have been here and need some assistance.
I just noticed oil in the garage about 3 weeks after having an oil change done. (First time I have ever paid to have my oil changed)
I jacked it up and can see the oil pan is super dirty and coated with oil and the filter has a drip of oil about to fall. I used search, saw this is a common thing and a lot of people brought it to the dealer and got this repaired under the power train warranty.
I have no such warranty and my local chevy dealer is one expensive shop to deal with.
In the past I have always done all car work myself but I no longer have access to the old shop...so I literally have no mechanic I have ever used and I am very paranoid about people touching my car.
I do have a tire guy at Firestone, but after reading the steps involved in replacing the oil pan gasket, I'm not sure if this should be done by a dealer/corvette specific shop?
What do you think I should do?
Melting Slicks<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/3k-4k.gif" border="0">
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,018
Likes: 214
From: Central Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '13, '17-'18, '25
I think it's a bit premature to assume you have a gasket leak.
If the leak started after the oil change, I would assume they spilled oil while changing the filter, or it is leaking from the oil filter.
I would politely ask the to replace the oil & filter again and clean the area.
Then watch for leaks.
Wish you the best!
If the leak started after the oil change, I would assume they spilled oil while changing the filter, or it is leaking from the oil filter.
I would politely ask the to replace the oil & filter again and clean the area.
Then watch for leaks.
Wish you the best!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
That was my initial though as well, that something was leaking from the filter...but it has been 3 weeks since the oil was change before this leak started. Looking at the oil pan, it doesn't seem possible for a leaking filter to get it wet so high up, but I could certainly be wrong.
My Firestone guy, who did the oil change, is back at work tomorrow so I could have him put it on the lift to get a better look.
Let's just assume it is the oil pan gasket...would you trust Firestone to do this job?
My Firestone guy, who did the oil change, is back at work tomorrow so I could have him put it on the lift to get a better look.
Let's just assume it is the oil pan gasket...would you trust Firestone to do this job?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,022
Likes: 171
From: Vancouver Island
In all likelihood the filter has not sealed properly, either not properly tightened or the o-ring/gasket is defective, maybe even the wrong filter (?), who knows. You'd think an oil change would be idiot-proof, but unfortunately that's not always the case, I had a leaky, loose filter once at the dealership that I use and likewise it took several weeks before I noticed anything.
The dirty oil pan could be related to that and got dirty from the leaking filter, or it could have already been dirty as some oil weeping by the pan gasket is common on C6's. Many choose to leave the pan alone if it is only coated over with a dirty film and not actually dripping oil as it is not cheap to replace the gasket, the engine cradle has to be dropped.
The dirty oil pan could be related to that and got dirty from the leaking filter, or it could have already been dirty as some oil weeping by the pan gasket is common on C6's. Many choose to leave the pan alone if it is only coated over with a dirty film and not actually dripping oil as it is not cheap to replace the gasket, the engine cradle has to be dropped.
Melting Slicks<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/3k-4k.gif" border="0">
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,018
Likes: 214
From: Central Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '13, '17-'18, '25
The dirty oil pan could be related to that and got dirty from the leaking filter, or it could have already been dirty as some oil weeping by the pan gasket is common on C6's. Many choose to leave the pan alone if it is only coated over with a dirty film and not actually dripping oil as it is not cheap to replace the gasket, the engine cradle has to be dropped.
Most of the leaking gaskets just result in a stained pan and not oil on the garage floor.Everyone has to make their own decisions on who to trust to do work on their Baby and I believe it's more based on the people, not the brand of the facility.
Having said that, NO I would not bring my Vette to a Firestone repair shop for a gasket swap.
I know a great tech at a local chevy dealership but almost always go to a Corvette speciality shop that I am lucky enough to have nearby.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 11,973
Likes: 463
From: Tonawanda New York
I would wipe area clean,make sure filter is tight, drive it for 75-100 miles or so. Jack car back up and look where it may be coming from also take detailed pics underneath. Hopefully it's just a loose filter and not the pan gasket or rear main seal.
Advanced
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
From: Decatur Alabama
I experienced the same thing this past January. Purchased my 08 with a fresh oil change from a local dealer. 700 miles in i began to smell burning oil and upon further inspection noticed oil spots on my gravel parking pad. I read all the post about the faulty oil pan gasket and started to worry i was sunk with a costly repair. the symptoms you describe match my situation to a T. I replaced the oil filter with a new one and cleaned the area. No more leak or burning smell! Good Luck, I'll bet this is an easy fix!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,228
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
[QUOTE=jeffjob;1590040740]I think it's a bit premature to assume you have a gasket leak.
If the leak started after the oil change, I would assume they spilled oil while changing the filter, or it is leaking from the oil filter.
Since you've changed the oil your self in the past, the easiest thing would be to tighten the filter a little and wait and see.
I noticed that my 08 had a really dirty oil pan at about 50k miles and I also feared the worst. But after reading about it on this forum, I sprayed the pan with a couple cans of brake cleaner (leaves no residue) and it has stayed clean for the last 1 1/2 yrs.
Personally, a slight ooze would be better for me then to let some bozo replace the pan gasket.
If the leak started after the oil change, I would assume they spilled oil while changing the filter, or it is leaking from the oil filter.
Since you've changed the oil your self in the past, the easiest thing would be to tighten the filter a little and wait and see. I noticed that my 08 had a really dirty oil pan at about 50k miles and I also feared the worst. But after reading about it on this forum, I sprayed the pan with a couple cans of brake cleaner (leaves no residue) and it has stayed clean for the last 1 1/2 yrs.
Personally, a slight ooze would be better for me then to let some bozo replace the pan gasket.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Thx for the replies. I am working myself up thinking I might be in for a big fix. I just got tires, payed taxes and 2 of the tpms sensors have been acting up...and my Moms maiden name was Murphy 
I'll start with the filter and go from there.
Hopefully I have a good update tomorrow.
I'll start with the filter and go from there.
Hopefully I have a good update tomorrow.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 51
From: Englewood OH
Thx for the replies. I am working myself up thinking I might be in for a big fix. I just got tires, payed taxes and 2 of the tpms sensors have been acting up...and my Moms maiden name was Murphy
I'll start with the filter and go from there.
Hopefully I have a good update tomorrow.
I'll start with the filter and go from there.
Hopefully I have a good update tomorrow.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 11,146
Likes: 1,913
From: Missouri City, TX
I think it's a bit premature to assume you have a gasket leak.
If the leak started after the oil change, I would assume they spilled oil while changing the filter, or it is leaking from the oil filter.
I would politely ask the to replace the oil & filter again and clean the area.
Then watch for leaks.
Wish you the best!
If the leak started after the oil change, I would assume they spilled oil while changing the filter, or it is leaking from the oil filter.
I would politely ask the to replace the oil & filter again and clean the area.
Then watch for leaks.
Wish you the best!
There is an excellent chance that those oil change "pros" failed to tighten the oil filter sufficiently. If too loose, in two or three weeks time, the filter will loosen from thermal cycling of the engine over that time and the filter will start to leak several weeks after the oil change. That happened to me twice on my 98 Suburban where the Chevy Quick Lube Dept did the "free oil changes" after purchase. You would think they would know how to properly install an oil filter. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 6,275
Likes: 113
From: Texas
Hello All,
Been a while since I have been here and need some assistance.
I just noticed oil in the garage about 3 weeks after having an oil change done. (First time I have ever paid to have my oil changed)
I jacked it up and can see the oil pan is super dirty and coated with oil and the filter has a drip of oil about to fall. I used search, saw this is a common thing and a lot of people brought it to the dealer and got this repaired under the power train warranty.
I have no such warranty and my local chevy dealer is one expensive shop to deal with.
In the past I have always done all car work myself but I no longer have access to the old shop...so I literally have no mechanic I have ever used and I am very paranoid about people touching my car.
I do have a tire guy at Firestone, but after reading the steps involved in replacing the oil pan gasket, I'm not sure if this should be done by a dealer/corvette specific shop?
What do you think I should do?
Been a while since I have been here and need some assistance.
I just noticed oil in the garage about 3 weeks after having an oil change done. (First time I have ever paid to have my oil changed)
I jacked it up and can see the oil pan is super dirty and coated with oil and the filter has a drip of oil about to fall. I used search, saw this is a common thing and a lot of people brought it to the dealer and got this repaired under the power train warranty.
I have no such warranty and my local chevy dealer is one expensive shop to deal with.
In the past I have always done all car work myself but I no longer have access to the old shop...so I literally have no mechanic I have ever used and I am very paranoid about people touching my car.
I do have a tire guy at Firestone, but after reading the steps involved in replacing the oil pan gasket, I'm not sure if this should be done by a dealer/corvette specific shop?
What do you think I should do?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
I don't know what brand filter is being used.
My guy called...said that there was a good amount of oil on the pan and that he was unable to visually locate source. He said it could be the rear main or the pan gasket or the filter. lol, so that eliminated none of the possibilities I had read/thought of.
So he changed oil/filter and left it on the lift running for a bit and saw nothing leaking.
Fingers crossed that this was all due to a faulty filter.
I'll update later after I have my baby back.
My guy called...said that there was a good amount of oil on the pan and that he was unable to visually locate source. He said it could be the rear main or the pan gasket or the filter. lol, so that eliminated none of the possibilities I had read/thought of.
So he changed oil/filter and left it on the lift running for a bit and saw nothing leaking.
Fingers crossed that this was all due to a faulty filter.
I'll update later after I have my baby back.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,660
Likes: 828
From: FORT LAUDERDALE FL
Typically a pan gasket leak will manifest itself with the oil going to the lowest spot before dripping. That usually will be the pan plug...
I find it hard to believe that a pan gasket leak would drip from the filter. Check and/or replace it. FWIW...
I find it hard to believe that a pan gasket leak would drip from the filter. Check and/or replace it. FWIW...
Melting Slicks<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/3k-4k.gif" border="0">
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,018
Likes: 214
From: Central Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '13, '17-'18, '25