My 03' dmax has been leaking oil ever since the dealer replaced the first set of injectors. 5 months later 2nd set of injectors went in. Still Leaking.


They cannot find that damn leak. Oil dye, black lights, whatever they try, it just does not pin point problem. I finally have an appointment on tuesday for another look. This time they are tearing the truck apart. I told them if they can't find leak, I don't want the thing back. (5 times in for same problem is ridiculous).


This truck has been leaking for over 10,000 miles, yet everytime I check oil, No level change on dipstick. So it's hard for me to explain on how much this thing is leaking.


I just got back from a 650 mile round trip. Let truck sit for two hours, and then checked oil level. Two quarts low. However, let truck sit in the same spot over night, (truck hasn't moved since my return) I go to check oil this morning, The damn dipstick reads full.


It has been suggested that there is a massive amount of fuel leaking into crankcase, But if there has been that much fuel leaking in, doesn't anyone think that the truck would run like crap, or blowing white smoke, or even the oil would be so dilluted that I would have about 5 psi for oil pressure.


That's just the thing, truck runs and even pulls like a champ. NO problems. WHAT THE ******?

I wish I could help ....


Have you tried a wick test on the oil ?? Drop some Erl on a paper towel see if it fans out ...


I'm assuming you see no physical oil on the ground ....


I don't understand the statement truck sits for 2 hrs I check oil 2 quarts low but when it "sits" all night not moved it will gain the 2 quarts back ...


You have never seen the oil rise above the safe operating range when driving or shortely there after??





Mac

Sounds like oil is not draining back to the crankcasae from one of the heads. Is the oil leak comming from the valve cover area of one of the heads? Maybe the mechanic left something pluging the drains in the head when the injectors were replaced (like a rag used to keep stuff from falling into the crankcase). This would explain the unfound leak and the slow drain back to the crankcase.

Jay

where is the sorce of the leak.upper motor lower motor.
a leak that big you say 2 qts low is a issue.is it blowing out the vent tube.

I think jay P hit it on the head. (no pun intended) Check the heads...if you can. Yes, it's quite the task but it shouldn't take but a couple of hours.


Burner------------>

In response to Mackin's question, Yes, there is oil leaking on the ground. It is the size of the top of a pop can. This appears after every drive. Whether it's a 5 mile drive or 100 miles, the truck is constantly leaking. So common sense tells you that if the oil leak has been this constant, that it should show low oil on the dipstick. However, every time I check oil, it's full.


The question about the two quarts low. I checked the oil level two hours after the truck sat in driveway after my 650 mile roundtrip journey. It showed that the oil level was about two quarts low. (so finally I thought I was getting somewhere, finally I have proof that the oil is leaking out and no fuel is leaking in). But when I checked the oil in the morning, the damn thing read full.


Finally, No the oil has never risen past safe level. That is why it is so confusing. The truck runs mint, but is constantly leaking oil, but every time I check oil, it's full. You would think that after 7,000 miles of constant driving and towing, that if it was leaking oil, that it would at least show a little low on the dipstick.


It's hard to say where the leak is at. Everytime I look for leak, It's always wet with oil on the bottom of the bell housing on the tranny. It almost looks like it's coming out of the rear seal of the motor, right above the oil pan. Obviously when I drive it oil blows around under the truck. So when I go to shut truck off, I slide under, wipe everything dry, then check back later. When I look again, drips appear on bottom of tranny housing. Like I said, directly above oil pan.


Maybe I'm looking at the wrong spot, but I don't think that the heads are leaky. No visible oil anywhere. Everything clean except oil pan area and tranny housing.


Dropping truck off on Tuesday. I'm so confused. Hopefully they can help. Thanks guys!

Maybe I'm looking at the wrong spot, but I don't think that the heads are leaky. No visible oil anywhere. Everything clean except oil pan area and tranny housing.

I'm sure you checked and made what is leaking is lube oil and not fuel oil?

Jim

Mine had a bad leak on delivery ... was the oil filter housing mount and there is a TSB for it ...most likely not your problem since it was very easy to identify and I would assume the tech's are very aware of the TSB. My bell housing/tranny was wet as a good portion of the undercarriage due to it blowing back.

From personal experience, I can say that massive amounts of fuel (2.5 gallons or more) dumped into the crankcase does not interfere with normal motor operation at any rpm. No rough running, no smoke, no stumbling - still ran great, for over 3500 miles. However, oil viscosity gets very thin and suddenly your crankcase holds 5 gals of liquid instead of the 10+ quarts it should. Oil pressure won't drop below 21 or 22 lbs, and engine temps never rose over 190. As crankcase fills with fuel, the mixture is finally dumped out the overflow and your truck undercarriage gets a diesel/oil mix bath and you begin throwing a light spray out the rear with a heavier spray under acceleration. After a few miles, huge puddles of the mixed liquid form under your vehicle when you stop. Hell of a mess. GMC dealer let the vehicle sit 6 days, replaced all injectors, but did not clean up the mess under the vehicle. Did not buy new vehicle from him. Still pi**ed at GMC dealer.

"If" you have a fuel leak it's on the low pressure side would be my guess .... The Bellhousing weep could just be the PCV running along the motor and dripping ....


The slow oil return is real confusing unless you have some blockage of sorts as mentioned .... One would have to assume if that were the case something maybe lacking proper lubrication ...





Mac

If the lifter valley was full of oil it may be finding another return path till it drops to the level of the blocked passage.This may be the reason for the 2 quarts down reading but no lack of lubrication damage.


Just my nickels worth but a curious problem and/or problems for sure.I certainly can understand your frustration and hope it gets resolved soon.


Blake

I am sure you would notice it, but mine has a leak in the oil pan gasket (silicone) that is running engine oil down over the front diff and collecting in the skid pan. Leaves some marks in the drive every once in a while. The underside is getting some "preservative". The leaker is going in this week to get fixed. I lose a quart in 6000 miles.


Good luck...

Gardnerteam,


Quick question for you. When you had your injector leaking fuel in the oil, how long(miles) did it take to fill the crankcase?? Are we talking few drops or gallons hihi??


I am wondering when and if it happens to me, if I will be able to nurse it home to my favorite dealer.


Thanks,


Marco Polo

I don't know if this matters.


When I run the truck hard, but let it idle down for a minute, the leak is minimal. But when I run the truck hard, and I just shut it down quick, the puddle begins.


I have an oilguard system installed. Originally the dealer blamed that. However, the leak started before the kit was installed. I even went as far as re-installing the system.


I don't think fuel is getting in at all. The oil viscosity is very good at both hot and cold temps. And after that many miles, the oil would be runny?


Dropped off at dealers today. They told me that they would do there best! (Yeah). We'll see what happens!


Thanks again!

TommJr,


Just gonna toss this out here for ya, I have a friend that went through a similar incident. Drive around and then come home, park and in no time a softball size puddle and drip was off bottom of bellhousing. Never got any larger than that always the same size. After 3 attempts looking for oil leak they investigated and found it to be the injector pump that was leaking at the back and what appeared to be oil, was in fact fuel. When they dyed the fuel and ran the truck then black light tested upon return, it showed instantly.


As for the low oil level at stop then it rises after sitting for a noted time, I learned from drag racing that you will always push a couple quarts up top and that remains constant during use. That why alot of guys always add a quart or 2 before a pass due to the oil being pushed to the top. I would check oil 10 minutes after you stop, if it is not back to normal then you have a drain back issue for sure. Was also wondering if PCV might be impeded by something causing excessive crankcase pressure...


Just a few thoughts, Hope they find something out for you at the dealer.


Jeff

When I run the truck hard, but let it idle down for a minute, the leak is minimal. But when I run the truck hard, and I just shut it down quick, the puddle begins.





pointing more and more to a drain-back problem...

I am sure you would notice it, but mine has a leak in the oil pan gasket (silicone) that is running engine oil down over the front diff and collecting in the skid pan. Leaves some marks in the drive every once in a while. The underside is getting some "preservative". The leaker is going in this week to get fixed. I lose a quart in 6000 miles.


Good luck...





I had a similar problem with my 2002 - they ended up replacing both of the oil pan gaskets (I guess there is an upper and lower gasket). That fixed the leak - done under warranty. I was getting a 'pea' sized drop each night on the driveway prior to the fix.

Duramax dually:


That's exactly what's happening. No matter how far I drive, little puddle. Hammer on it, big puddle.


The only thing is, before the first set of injectors was replaced, the injector pump was replaced. Could the new pump be bad?


Dealer called today: Said they were replacing all seals at back of motor. Didn't find leak, So they are replacing everything. What this entails I don't know.


What seals are at back of motor? How big of job? How common?


Are they just throwing parts at this thing because they don't know?

In a word yes.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif


Blake

Just to let everyone know, my leak was the main bearing bolts that are through the side of the block. They resealed them and no leaks....yet. We'll see after some time. Makes me wonder if they were loose?http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif


Maybe something to look at, maybe not. There are a lot of things to seal up on this motor.

Talked to dealer:


Replacing seals?, Found puddle of oil by turbo, replacing something on or in turbo, heads are off and are replacing head gaskets, are also replacing injectors and injector pump!


If they are spending this much time and money on replacing everything, why not a new motor?


Should be done by friday!


If GM allows this much replacing of parts, how come such hassle on something as small as injectors?