5.3 Silverado Sudden Oil Loss

Status
Not open for further replies.
H

Herz

Joined
Sep 9, 2009
Messages
3,216
Location
USA
My 2005 Silverado LT with the 5.3 aluminum block has never burned our leaked oil. It has 61k miles, oil has always been changed every 5k-7k never getting past 20 percent on OLM.

I checked the oil, 3k on the fill, and it was half a quart low.

Valve cover bolts were not loose, no engine oil on the side of the block. However, where the oil pan mates with the automatic transmission was damp with oil. No oil droplets on the floor.

I did some research online and it seems this is a common problem on the aluminum 5.3s.

I have singled it down to either the oil pan gasket or the rear main/rear cover.

If it is the rear cover will the transmission need to be pulled?
 
Thanks,

I'll try some maxlife 10-30 and see if that slows the leak.
 
No, been using Chevron Supreme 5-30 for the past 5 or 6 oil changes.
 
Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
Did you switch oil brands? Sometimes that causes some burning at first.



He's not burning oil. It's a slow leak at the rear main. There is an improved seal that I think was introduced somewhere around 2007. You'll get that improved seal if you buy it from the dealer. Otherwise, the Felpro seal is just as good.
 
If car manufacturers really want to improve their image, they should spend a few extra bucks to insure that no seals or gaskets leak for the life of an engine unless they have been opened up and improperly replaced. In this day with modern metallurgy, machining and gasket material research and design, there is no excuse for oil leaks!
 
No one makes an engine that seems to seal up real well, no doubt much better than they used to be.....but I still see $80k merc's leak oil like an escort
 
I'm planning on fixing this leak soon, does not seem to be that hard.

At least it looks easyer than doing the clutch in the focus lol.

Do you guys recommend a GM seal kit, or the fel pro problem solver?

I generally use the felpro, but not sure of they have a problem solver out for this yet.

Im probably going to do the rear and front seals on the transmission while I have it down, preventative maintenance, the one in the bell house i'll get from the dealer, the rear i'll pick up a SKF from NAPA.
 
Originally Posted By: defektes
I'm planning on fixing this leak soon, does not seem to be that hard.

At least it looks easyer than doing the clutch in the focus lol.

Do you guys recommend a GM seal kit, or the fel pro problem solver?

I generally use the felpro, but not sure of they have a problem solver out for this yet.

Im probably going to do the rear and front seals on the transmission while I have it down, preventative maintenance, the one in the bell house i'll get from the dealer, the rear i'll pick up a SKF from NAPA.



The GM seal, as I mentioned earlier, is an improved design and works well. However, the Felpro gasket is good too so use whatever you want. Once the trans is removed it is a simple operation.
 
I'll go with the GM seal for peace of mind, I plan on rigging a mod to my floor jack.

Some 2x4 with a supported plywood base, bolted with a recessed bolt to the jack to remove the transmission. Bottom would be supported with additional 2x4 underneath, i suppose the jack can tip however.
 
go with a fel pro seal.....best in the business.....the oem seal failing at 61k would not give me peace of mind
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Cause4Alarm
go with a fel pro seal.....best in the business.....the oem seal failing at 61k would not give me peace of mind


Same.
 
Originally Posted By: defektes


I checked the oil, 3k on the fill, and it was half a quart low.


That is 6k per quart. All engines HAVE to use oil. 6k is not a problem IMO. If you are not seeing a leak then don't tear it apart. If you were loosing 1/2 a quart out the rear seal in 3k you WOULD see it. If you were loosing a cup you'd see it.

I would NOT replace it till I saw something.

Bill
 
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: defektes


I checked the oil, 3k on the fill, and it was half a quart low.
All engines HAVE to use oil.


Bill, what exactly do you mean? I have owned many vehicles that never used a drop of oil, ever. All three current rigs don't use oil, 2 Toyotas and a Ford.

I agree that it's not abnormal for a rig to use a little oil, but it's certainly not a given.

I also agree that if this rig was leaking a half quart, he would see it.
 
ALL engines burn oil...every single one, they have to or piston rings don't work....when you check the dipstick after 3k miles and it still reads full it is because oil loss through the rings and blow-by are at an equilibrium (and yes ALL engines have blow-by it's a matter of degree) thus replacing the burned oil with other things at the same rate
 
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: defektes


I checked the oil, 3k on the fill, and it was half a quart low.


That is 6k per quart. All engines HAVE to use oil. 6k is not a problem IMO. If you are not seeing a leak then don't tear it apart. If you were loosing 1/2 a quart out the rear seal in 3k you WOULD see it. If you were loosing a cup you'd see it.

I would NOT replace it till I saw something.

Bill


I did notice the bell housing was wet with oil, it was dry when I did the oil change last. Like I said this thing usually does 5-7k oil changes. Never lost oil, it is kind of weird if you ask me. Also, there was a TSB on these motors all the way to 2010, common issue.
 
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: Cause4Alarm
go with a fel pro seal.....best in the business.....the oem seal failing at 61k would not give me peace of mind


Same.



Y'all missed the point that the OEM seal has been revised to a better design. End of leaks.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

FADEC
  • Locked
Silverado 5.3 oil leak...Help to identify please.
Replies
5
Views
8K
Jim 5
P
  • Locked
Almost impossible to remove the oil pan
Replies
19
Views
12K
PandaBear
9
  • Locked
'96 Grand Prix - 3100 V6 oil leak
Replies
5
Views
2K
Lubener
9
  • Locked
'04 Honda Odyssey oil leak after engine re-seal
Replies
8
Views
6K
Trav
G
  • Locked
Oil leak since oil changed to Schaeffers #703
Replies
0
Views
1K
goatdude
Back
Top Bottom