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Old Feb 8, 2026 | 01:20 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by ZORANGE
Wipe it down and call it good? Really? Your "minor seepage" could lead to a major one.
'
Anything "could" lead to something worse. In this case, that seepage isn't going to hurt anything. If it becomes a real leak, then it can be addressed. There's no benefit to addressing it now, other than making the warranty claim now. As I said, it makes sense for the OP to make the warranty claim now. But for me, out of warranty, not worth it.

BTW, I've seen warranty claims denied for seepage like this with the manufacturer saying something to the effect that, unless there's an actual liquid leak, we won't pay to repair it.

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Old Feb 14, 2026 | 07:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Duck916
'
Anything "could" lead to something worse. In this case, that seepage isn't going to hurt anything. If it becomes a real leak, then it can be addressed. There's no benefit to addressing it now, other than making the warranty claim now. As I said, it makes sense for the OP to make the warranty claim now. But for me, out of warranty, not worth it.

BTW, I've seen warranty claims denied for seepage like this with the manufacturer saying something to the effect that, unless there's an actual liquid leak, we won't pay to repair it.
I took the car into my dealership. Surprisingly, they were pretty responsive. I showed them the comments from the Corvette specialty shop, "DCT Pan Is Leaking And The RH Differential Side Cover Seal Is Leaking." The dealership Corvette tech confirmed their findings and ordered gaskets and bolts. The pan bolts are one-time bolts. They let me take the car home and said they'd call when the parts arrive. Since I was due for the three year fluid change, they are going to charge me for the fluid.
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Old Feb 14, 2026 | 09:06 AM
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Default Leaking Has its Advantages

Leaking has its advantages. My 46 Studebaker Truck leaked and burned oil so bad that I would put in a quart every hundred miles, So I never had to actually "change" the oil - it was "self-changing". Fortunately it had a dipstick and it was easy to add oil (unlike the C8 transmission). Oil from Workingman's Friend service station was on the order of 25 cents a quart. They had re-refined motor oil for 10 cents a quart.

No warranty of course. That is more or less when I "learned" how to tear down an engine and repair it. "Learning" and "Rebuild" might be an exaggeration because I took shortcuts. I mean.....I was just 17 or so, and my "advisers" were mechanics at the farm tractor (CASE) store that was across the street. One piston was cracked so I replaced that one. Guess what happens when you have one aluminum piston and 5 iron pistons. Tore it down again and put the iron piston back - too cheap to put in all new pistons.

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Old Feb 14, 2026 | 09:11 AM
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Ignoring any seepage early on is just setting yourself up for a pita issue later. Just depends on how much later but to me its unacceptable. I would want it addressed. unless I knew I was getting out of the car before the end of the warranty period.

And I saw anything on my garage floor? That's a deal breaker no freaking way.
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Old Feb 14, 2026 | 03:23 PM
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Originally Posted by SRQStingray
I took the car into my dealership. Surprisingly, they were pretty responsive. I showed them the comments from the Corvette specialty shop, "DCT Pan Is Leaking And The RH Differential Side Cover Seal Is Leaking." The dealership Corvette tech confirmed their findings and ordered gaskets and bolts. The pan bolts are one-time bolts. They let me take the car home and said they'd call when the parts arrive. Since I was due for the three year fluid change, they are going to charge me for the fluid.
They are screwing you on that, they can charge GM for the fluid which is quite expensive since it is required to replace as part of the warranty claim.
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Old Feb 15, 2026 | 06:13 AM
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I had to have my pan gasket three times on my 2020 and finally convinced them to change to the cast pan last year after finding it still seeping. They paid for the fluid all four times.
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Old Feb 16, 2026 | 06:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Andybump
Leaking has its advantages. My 46 Studebaker Truck leaked and burned oil so bad that I would put in a quart every hundred miles, So I never had to actually "change" the oil - it was "self-changing". Fortunately it had a dipstick and it was easy to add oil (unlike the C8 transmission). Oil from Workingman's Friend service station was on the order of 25 cents a quart. They had re-refined motor oil for 10 cents a quart.

No warranty of course. That is more or less when I "learned" how to tear down an engine and repair it. "Learning" and "Rebuild" might be an exaggeration because I took shortcuts. I mean.....I was just 17 or so, and my "advisers" were mechanics at the farm tractor (CASE) store that was across the street. One piston was cracked so I replaced that one. Guess what happens when you have one aluminum piston and 5 iron pistons. Tore it down again and put the iron piston back - too cheap to put in all new pistons.
If it was my 71 Corvette, I'd be on it and fix it myself. Since it is a C8 under warranty, I'll have to trust the dealership.
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Old Mar 5, 2026 | 08:12 AM
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Update:

The dealer confirmed the transmission leaks on February 13. The parts were ordered and arrived February 26. When I brought the car in I told the service advisor that the car was due for the DCT fluid flush and fill. They had the car until 4:30 and called me to say it was done. Obviously, the pan gasket and passenger side shaft seal were replaced under warranty. But, I get the invoice at the cashier, ready to pay for the DCT flush and fill and see that it was not done. It was late and the service advisor and service manager were gone. I went home and emailed the service manager saying that a key part of the service I specifically requested was not done. Now, I have a third appointment for March 11. My dealership and the other two nearest Chevy dealerships each have ONE Corvette tech. Getting service for a Corvette in Sarasota is as difficult as getting a specialist physician appointment. Also, why did it take so long to get a pan gasket, bolts and the shaft seal? One would think these parts should be readily available.
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Old Mar 5, 2026 | 09:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Andybump
Leaking has its advantages. My 46 Studebaker Truck leaked and burned oil so bad that I would put in a quart every hundred miles, So I never had to actually "change" the oil - it was "self-changing". Fortunately it had a dipstick and it was easy to add oil (unlike the C8 transmission). Oil from Workingman's Friend service station was on the order of 25 cents a quart. They had re-refined motor oil for 10 cents a quart.

No warranty of course. That is more or less when I "learned" how to tear down an engine and repair it. "Learning" and "Rebuild" might be an exaggeration because I took shortcuts. I mean.....I was just 17 or so, and my "advisers" were mechanics at the farm tractor (CASE) store that was across the street. One piston was cracked so I replaced that one. Guess what happens when you have one aluminum piston and 5 iron pistons. Tore it down again and put the iron piston back - too cheap to put in all new pistons.
A quart every 100 miles! Oooof. I mean yeah it was a '46 but at today's prices thats 30 quarts every 3000 miles which is a helluva lot of oil vs an oil change every 3k. Back in the day you paid 25c a quart sure, but I'm guessing you also werent making $20/hr (minimum wage nowadays) or higher (I assume you make plenty over $20/hr or are retired now). That's just brutal.

I'm curious what your wages were and how painful a quart every 100 miles felt. Wowzers.

Originally Posted by SRQStingray
Update: The dealer confirmed the transmission leaks on February 13. The parts were ordered and arrived February 26. When I brought the car in I told the service advisor that the car was due for the DCT fluid flush and fill. They had the car until 4:30 and called me to say it was done. Obviously, the pan gasket and passenger side shaft seal were replaced under warranty. But, I get the invoice at the cashier, ready to pay for the DCT flush and fill and see that it was not done. It was late and the service advisor and service manager were gone. I went home and emailed the service manager saying that a key part of the service I specifically requested was not done. Now, I have a third appointment for March 11. My dealership and the other two nearest Chevy dealerships each have ONE Corvette tech. Getting service for a Corvette in Sarasota is as difficult as getting a specialist physician appointment. Also, why did it take so long to get a pan gasket, bolts and the shaft seal? One would think these parts should be readily available.
This right here is indicative of the corvette's achilles heel. It isnt even the DCT like so many (myself at times) fear. It is the SUBPAR experience at Chevy dealerships by and large, namely the service departments. When you can buy a 40k-50k Lexus or Mercedes and get great service at MOST dealerships, even if yours is an older used one as a 2nd or 3rd owner, you should be able to expect at least DECENT service when buying an 80k-250k vette. No wonder so many vette owners self-service routine maintenance. I get lightyears better treatment when taking my nearly 9 year old MB SLC I bought used for 35k for service than I ever got taking my 93k 2022 C8 in. Night and day difference.

There are exceptional GM dealer service departments but they are few and far between, whereas a bad MB service dept is the exception not the rule.

Last edited by Korbek; Mar 5, 2026 at 09:08 AM.
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Old Mar 5, 2026 | 09:28 AM
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Originally Posted by SRQStingray
Update:

The dealer confirmed the transmission leaks on February 13. The parts were ordered and arrived February 26. When I brought the car in I told the service advisor that the car was due for the DCT fluid flush and fill. They had the car until 4:30 and called me to say it was done. Obviously, the pan gasket and passenger side shaft seal were replaced under warranty. But, I get the invoice at the cashier, ready to pay for the DCT flush and fill and see that it was not done. It was late and the service advisor and service manager were gone. I went home and emailed the service manager saying that a key part of the service I specifically requested was not done. Now, I have a third appointment for March 11. My dealership and the other two nearest Chevy dealerships each have ONE Corvette tech. Getting service for a Corvette in Sarasota is as difficult as getting a specialist physician appointment. Also, why did it take so long to get a pan gasket, bolts and the shaft seal? One would think these parts should be readily available.
I'm confused. What do you mean by "flush and fill"? If the pan gasket was replaced, the fluid was drained and replaced under warranty. What else did you want?

The only procedure with the term "flush" in it is is the Hydraulic System Flush. That is not a drain and fill, but a computer initiated process that activates the solenoid valves with a goal of freeing debris that moves to the filter. In the past, the HSF was step one in the DCT external canister filter replacement procedure. However, it was recently deleted from that procedure, and now it appears as the last step of a fluid replacement - after the fluid has been refilled. Is that what you were looking for .., that they performed the HSF after the fuid replacement? The may or may not have included that step (they do not list every step in a procedure on the invoice) , but if they did, you would not have to pay for it since it was necessary as part of the replacing the fluid after the pan gasket was replaced.




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Old Mar 5, 2026 | 02:08 PM
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Mine did the same thing and I didn't notice any leaks in the garage. When I got after market rims, the tech who was installing the rims noticed the leaks on the underbody panels and pointed it out to me.
Took her to the dealer and she was fixed in a couple days. Now, I regularly check the underbody panels for any leaks.
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Old Mar 5, 2026 | 06:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Andybump
I'm confused. What do you mean by "flush and fill"? If the pan gasket was replaced, the fluid was drained and replaced under warranty. What else did you want?

The only procedure with the term "flush" in it is is the Hydraulic System Flush. That is not a drain and fill, but a computer initiated process that activates the solenoid valves with a goal of freeing debris that moves to the filter. In the past, the HSF was step one in the DCT external canister filter replacement procedure. However, it was recently deleted from that procedure, and now it appears as the last step of a fluid replacement - after the fluid has been refilled. Is that what you were looking for .., that they performed the HSF after the fuid replacement? The may or may not have included that step (they do not list every step in a procedure on the invoice) , but if they did, you would not have to pay for it since it was necessary as part of the replacing the fluid after the pan gasket was replaced.
According to the dealer, the fluid loss from fixing the leak was "a few ounces". They "topped it off". The flush and fill produre was not done. For that procedure, they hook a GM specified scan tool and open and close valves in the transmission. This is the flush. They then drain the fluid and replace it. The fluid has a three-year shelf life and should have been, at minimum, completely drain and replaced. My DCT filter has been replaced two times 3600 miles and 7499 miles. The car has 12,500 miles now.
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Old Mar 5, 2026 | 06:10 PM
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Originally Posted by john91498
Mine did the same thing and I didn't notice any leaks in the garage. When I got after market rims, the tech who was installing the rims noticed the leaks on the underbody panels and pointed it out to me.
Took her to the dealer and she was fixed in a couple days. Now, I regularly check the underbody panels for any leaks.
I will from here on out.
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Old Mar 5, 2026 | 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by SRQStingray
I watched a YouTube video by Rick Conti and Chuck doing a transmission service. Chuck removed the transmission pan, replaced the large internal filter and reinstalled the pan with a new gasket. I don't know what year C8 it was.
Originally Posted by Mark9
Conti thought the internal sump filter needed to be changed. It doesn't under normal circumstances. Just the external DCT filter. Hopefully you'll just be in store for a pan gasket.
Yep, Chuck even says in the video to Conti the internal filter doesn't need to be changed! Chuck also states the DCT cross member needs to be loosened and lower slightly yo get to the pan bolts.

IMO all the words in Conti Video's are thought thru and planned! His video's are often too long BUT are also well planned and IMO not like many YouTubers. Probably makes more money from YouTube the longer they are! When I saw that particular episode I thought:
Conti is probably getting ready to sell this Vette and get another. As a good car salesman setting the stage to tell the potential owner he has gone overboard on maintenance!
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Old Mar 6, 2026 | 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by SRQStingray
Update:

The dealer confirmed the transmission leaks on February 13. The parts were ordered and arrived February 26. When I brought the car in I told the service advisor that the car was due for the DCT fluid flush and fill. They had the car until 4:30 and called me to say it was done. Obviously, the pan gasket and passenger side shaft seal were replaced under warranty. But, I get the invoice at the cashier, ready to pay for the DCT flush and fill and see that it was not done. It was late and the service advisor and service manager were gone. I went home and emailed the service manager saying that a key part of the service I specifically requested was not done. Now, I have a third appointment for March 11. My dealership and the other two nearest Chevy dealerships each have ONE Corvette tech. Getting service for a Corvette in Sarasota is as difficult as getting a specialist physician appointment. Also, why did it take so long to get a pan gasket, bolts and the shaft seal? One would think these parts should be readily available.
Originally Posted by SRQStingray
According to the dealer, the fluid loss from fixing the leak was "a few ounces". They "topped it off". The flush and fill produre was not done. For that procedure, they hook a GM specified scan tool and open and close valves in the transmission. This is the flush. They then drain the fluid and replace it. The fluid has a three-year shelf life and should have been, at minimum, completely drain and replaced. My DCT filter has been replaced two times 3600 miles and 7499 miles. The car has 12,500 miles now.
And...that is why I am confused. In your original statement, the one I responded to, you said
"Obviously, the pan gasket and passenger side shaft seal were replaced under warranty."
Was that not true, then?
In order to replace the pan gasket the pan must be removed, And, in order to remove the pan, you must first drain the fluid. And naturally you must refill the fluid after the pan is replaced. The pan remove and replacement procedure calls out the fluid drain and replace procedure. And as noted, the updated fluid replacement procedure includes the hydraulic system flush as the last step after the fluid have been replaced. If the dealer only topped off the fluid, then the pan gasket was not replaced. However, if the pan gasket was replaced, then the fluid fill procedure was followed and the HSF (if the dealer follows the updated procedure) would have been done as the last step. And since that was a warranty item you should not be charged for it. Was the pan gasket replaced under warranty or not?

This next statement is not consistent with the current fluid fill procedure:
"The flush and fill produre was not done. For that procedure, they hook a GM specified scan tool and open and close valves in the transmission. This is the flush. They then drain the fluid and replace it." While its correct that the HSF is executed with scan tool that actuates at the valves in a specific manner to free up debris, that procedure is not called our prior to a fluid replacement procedure. As I noted, in the past it was step one in the filter (not fluid) replacement procedure. But it has been deleted from the filter replacement procedure and is now the last (not the first) step in the fluid replacement procedure. I have attached the fluid fill procedure where you can see that its step 11, the last step, after the fluid has been put back in, and just before step 12 which is to reset the fluid life monitor system.

It is correct that the fluid in the car must be replaced at 45000 miles, or three years, or whenever the fluid life system says to whichever is first. Or every 24 hours of track use.

The three year shelf life on the bottle, mean you can put the fluid in the car any time before the three year expiration and it is still good for three more years in the car. Shelf life and functional life are different things. The fluid has a three year shelf life, and also a three year functional life.




Last edited by Andybump; Mar 6, 2026 at 11:43 AM.
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