oil Leak ?

[BIG JIM]

With 12k Miles on my 05 Jewel I was under her today checking out everything and I noticed this small wet spot between the engine/Tranny mate point and wheep hole no oil dripping at this time but you can see from the photo there is some dampness jut thought maybe this was normal? Also found this sticker on the inside rear valance panel, any Ideas what it's about didn't like the wording "Product Action Defect"

[BlastfromPast]

Photo 1) A little seepage past the rear seal is normal (actually, a tiny amount of seepage is mandatory to keep the seal from self destructing on the end of the crank journal). For 12,000 miles it looks just about normal to me - maybe just a smidgen heavy, but certainly nothing to worry about IMO.

Photo 2) Q.C. sticker from rear bumper cover vendor (mine has the same sticker). Yours has been "certified" (date) and initialed by Q.C. inspector. "Defect" line is blank - meaning no defects.

I'm glad to read that "I was under her today checking out everything". Owners that do that once in a while are in a much better position to spot a potential problem before it becomes a BIG problem.

Enjoy the second 12,000 miles just as much as the first!

Blast

[BIG JIM]

Thanks Blast! I feel better now....Happy Crusin to you!

[53wanab]

Hey Jim,

When I was doing the header install on mine, I noticed the same thing on the bell housing. The picture you posted looks exactly like mine.Don't know how normal it is,I was always of the opinion "unless it's a Harley, then there are no normal leaks".

Hey man, just got the disk pakage you sent of the O.C. Cruise! Great shots , Video and special posters.That one print looks like a billboard for GM.Are you sure you don't work for them?
Anyway, thanks for the alblum and cards. We had a great time on the road.

[BIG JIM]

Thanks for the reply...........No I don't work for GM.... just my Uncle Sam! I enjoyed the cruise too and all your redline racket!!!! we all got to do it again!

[shiftz33]

I found my 05 SSR to have a similar "oil presence" on the transmission bell housing. Using a mirror and flashlight, I was able to locate a collection of oil hanging from one of the bolts that mount the starter (on the passenger side in front of the bell housing).

I cleaned up what oil I found on the engine, starter bolt and bell housing and took it out on a 25 mile drive. It appears to still be dry at this point.

I don't know if it is from the colder temps, but I'm now hearing what I believe to be the fuel pump whine (low level whine) with the radio turned off and after a short amount of driving. When I first startup the engine, I don't hear it nor do I hear it when I put it into drive/reverse.

[KySSR]

Product action is a company that checks parts before thay are installed on a vehicle, usually after a defect has been found on like parts. We use them often at Toyota. That sticker just means that it has been inspected.

[IllinoisSSR]

There is a TSB on an oil leak appearing at below freezing outside temps.

[Jetcop20]

Its on its last legs....weeping for the soon to be closed Lansing facility GAWD

[shiftz33]

IllinoisSSR,

What does the TSB state, I cannot get into the nhtsa website to lookup TSBs at the moment (their Recall/TSB website is non responsive)?

[shiftz33]

Just after my last post, the nhtsa website started working:

Make : CHEVROLET Model : SSR Year : 2005
Manufacturer : GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Service Bulletin Num : 050601014 Date of Bulletin: MAY 01, 2005
NHTSA Item Number: 10017409
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Summary:
OIL LEAK UNDER EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES (-34 DEGREES C) (-30 DEGREES F) OR COLDER). *TT

Those temp ranges are WELL below the +30 F and above temps that my SSR has been exposed to. It may be the same issue but it doesn't fully comply with the summary statement.

Does anyone know what the resolution to this issue might be (if any)?

[shiftz33]

It appears the "oil leak" from a bolt near the starter motor has been resolved, but now with just over 9300 miles on the odometer, I have an oil/fluid leak at the bottom of the bell housing.

I dropped off my 05 SSR on 6/12 (for two days) to have the service deparment state they could not "find" the leak. They added a dye to my oil for the previous leak investigations, but they added more this time and they stated it was not leaking for them.

Well.....

Within 20 miles the leak showed up again. I called and left a voice mail for the service writer no more than one hour after picking it up stating the leak was definitely there.

I drove my SSR to the service deparment today to see if they could look at it today, but of course they cannot.

This was the fourth oil leak repair attempt on my 05 SSR. Now there will be a fifth attempt next Monday. I stressed with the service writer that they really don't have any more info than they had this last Monday other than an exact mileage on the odometer when they "cleaned" that area. I told them the oil appeared within the previous 500 miles when I dropped it off last Monday, but that wasn't good enough for them.

Now they're getting their shop foreman involved. This is the same guy that told me that Mike's aux fan was pulling air from the engine compartment instead of pushing air into the engine compartment. Oh, I can't wait for next week...
This is getting really old very quickly..

[wingrider]

Document ID# 1811900
2004 Chevrolet SSR


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Subject: 5.7L LS1, 6.0L LS2, 5.3L LS4, 5.7L LS6, 7.0L LS7, 5.3L L33, 5.3L LH6, 5.3L LM4 - Engine Oil Leak at rear Cover Asembly Area (Engine Block Porosity RTV Repair Procedure) #05-06-01-034A - (04/05/2006)



Models: 2004-2006 Buick Rainier

2003-2006 Chevrolet Corvette, TrailBlazer

2004-2006 Chevrolet SSR

2005-2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS, Silverado, Silverado SS

2006 Chevrolet Impala SS, Monte Carlo SS

2003-2006 GMC Envoy, Envoy XUV, Sierra

2004-2006 Pontiac GTO

2005-2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP

2005-2006 Saab 9-7X

with 5.7L, 6.0L, 5.3L or 7.0L Engine (RPOs LS1, LS6, LS2, LS4, L33, LH6, LM4, LS7)




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This bulletin is being revised to include labor time for the Grand Prix, Impala and Monte Carlo and include an Important statement in the Correction procedure. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 05-06-01-034 (Section 06 - Engine).


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Condition
Some customers may comment on an engine oil leak.

Cause
Upon initial diagnosis, it may be determined that the leak is coming from the rear cover gasket. This condition may be caused by engine block porosity on the sealing surface.

Correction
Follow the steps for Oil Leak Diagnosis in SI to determine the source of the leak. If the leak has been diagnosed as coming from the rear cover assembly, remove the rear cover assembly and inspect for engine block porosity where the rear cover mates to the engine block. If porosity is found anywhere on the sealing surface, use the following procedure to apply RTV to repair the engine block porosity (refer to illustration below).





Important: Clean any residual oil from the block and cover before applying the sealant in the next step.

Wipe a small amount of RTV, P/N 12378521 (in Canada, use P/N 88901148) onto the surface using a plastic scraper to fill the porosity.
Remove any excess RTV material, especially from inside the high pressure oil passage (refer to #1 in the above illustration).
Allow the RTV to cure for 10 minutes.
Important: Be sure to follow the tightening specifications and sequence found in SI.

Reinstall the rear cover using a new gasket and follow installation instructions found in SI.
Parts Information
Part Number
Description

12574293
Gasket - Crankshaft Rear Oil Seal Housing

12378521 (U.S.)

88901148 (Canada)
Sealant


Warranty Information (excluding Saab U.S. Models)
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

J7510
Oil Leak -- Rear Cover Area -- Porosity Repair

Corvette

- M/T

- A/T


5.9 hrs

5.4 hrs

SSR
5.4 hrs

TrailBlazer/Envoy/Rainier/Saab 9-7X (Canada)

- 2WD

- 4WD


5.7 hrs

6.5 hrs

GTO

- M/T

- A/T


10.2 hrs

10.5 hrs

Silverado/Silverado SS/Sierra

- M/T

- A/T


3.6 hrs

3.8 hrs

Grand Prix/Impala/Monte Carlo
5.7 hrs

Add
With skid plate

To clean parts over 48,000 km (30,000 mi)


0.2 hr

0.1-0.3 hr


Warranty Information (Saab U.S. Models)
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation
Description
Failed Object
Fault/Reason Code
Location Code
Warranty Type
Repair/Action Code
Labor Time

2161901
Replace part, Seal, End Plate V8 T-Truck
21619
57
0
01
01
6.5 hrs

Add

9821001
R&R Anti-Submarine (Skid) Plate
--
--
--
--
--
0.2 hr

Add
To clean parts over 48,000 km (30,000 mi)
--
--
--
--
--
0.1 to 0.3 hr in 99 time




GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION


© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.


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Document ID# 1811900
2004 Chevrolet SSR

[shiftz33]

Wingrider, thanks for this information!

[2005SSR6Speed]

My SSR started with just the small amount of oil as the pictures above show. I have it in to have the transmission removed and the rear cover gasket repaired/replaced as I type this. My SSR went from a small drop every now and then to where it will loose a good bit of oil. I clean the underneath of my SSR every time I drive it. They are repairing it under warranty.

It is best to get under your SSR as often as you can to monitor and check for leaks, that will also help when you take it in for service.

[shiftz33]

I took in my SSR on 6/19. I took along a copy of the TSB noted by Wingrider. I picked up my SSR today (6/20). They did in fact pull the tranny this time. Inspected the engine rear cover area but did not find anything that would cause the leak per that TSB.

What they did find was: "Casting flashing at rear corners of engine block at the engine oil pan and rear cover sealing area. Removed casting flashing using a hand file to smooth the sealing surface. Cleaned sealing surfaces and reassembled ... replacing all necessary seals and gaskets".

I was able to drive it home with no oil showing. I guess my trip to Irwindale will be a really GOOD test of this repair.

[2005SSR6Speed]

Got mine back today and no leak so far. Mine was the Rear Cover Gasket, per the TSB.