Oil pan gasket

[TailG8er]

I have done my second one on two different G8's.

The first one still has not been driven since install, except for moving it around, but does not leak, yet..........

The second one is my GXP and is leaking again.

The first one on my GT I used a light coat of RTV as I reused the original gasket.

Has anyone had good results putting them on dry? Or has anyone used a sealant along with it?

I hate the idea I need to drop the cradle and pan again but it seems like it is so. This time I will probably use a sealant too, what is recommended other than nothing?

[RockyMtG8GT]

I got my oil pan replaced by dealer a month ago (67k miles) as it was in for some suspension work and was seeping so I thought, what the heck.
Well, one month and 5k miles later the new pan is wetter than the old pan ever got. I wiped it down a few times just in case it was a spill that worked its way down but nope, she's leaking and much more than the original pan leaked. Sorry I can't answer any of your questions since I'm having the dealer replace mine but frustrating that these things seem to have a serious design flaw....

I'm bringing it back to the dealer tomorrow morning for them to inspect. Should I tell them anything that may help them get it right so it won't start leaking again.... at least for another 60k miles or so???

[TailG8er]

I got my oil pan replaced by dealer a month ago (67k miles) as it was in for some suspension work and was seeping so I thought, what the heck.
Well, one month and 5k miles later the new pan is wetter than the old pan ever got. I wiped it down a few times just in case it was a spill that worked its way down but nope, she's leaking and much more than the original pan leaked. Sorry I can't answer any of your questions since I'm having the dealer replace mine but frustrating that these things seem to have a serious design flaw....

I'm bringing it back to the dealer tomorrow morning for them to inspect. Should I tell them anything that may help them get it right so it won't start leaking again.... at least for another 60k miles or so???

Check to see if it is flat!

I am going to check mine when it is out, I am a bit unhappy about this and I am sure GM knows there is an issue. Just wonder what it actually is.

[-Ray-]

Mine isn't leaking. GM fixed a few early oil pan gaskets because of porosity. You can find the TSB if you look for it.

There are 4 places where sealant needs to be used. Each side of the pan where the front cover attaches to the block and the two places where the rear cover attaches to the block.
The front and rear covers must not be above the block, they can be flush or X below. I don't have the specs when on the road.

[TailG8er]

I might have forgot to put the sealant in the corners on the GXP, thanks for that info. I will know when I drop it this weekend.

[STL_G8GT]

You don't have to drop the cradle... jack up the trans, slide the steering rack forward, and it will push up the engine enough that the pan can slide out. I used a new gasket and dabbed rtv at each cover corner. I have a seep around where the dipstick tube is, but am all good everywhere else. I would say if you don't rtv the corners, you will have leaks... Good luck.

[TailG8er]

Thanks for that info as well, should make it a little easier. I am doing my strut bushings at the same time.

[RockyMtG8GT]

My dealer just called and told me they found the leak coming from the "front cover", just above the oil pan. They are ordering the parts and it's going in next week for the fix, hopefully the engine stays dry as a bone after this. I guess its a pretty big job so they will need the car all day....

[GM Customer Service]

My dealer just called and told me they found the leak coming from the "front cover", just above the oil pan. They are ordering the parts and it's going in next week for the fix, hopefully the engine stays dry as a bone after this. I guess its a pretty big job so they will need the car all day....

RockyMtG8GT,

Please keep us posted with the details on your vehicle. If you have any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to contact me.

Thank you,

Tina
GM Customer Service

[trohde78]

My dealer just called and told me they found the leak coming from the "front cover", just above the oil pan. They are ordering the parts and it's going in next week for the fix, hopefully the engine stays dry as a bone after this. I guess its a pretty big job so they will need the car all day....

I'm pretty sure this is what the dealer told me the problem was with my car, but since it was only "seeping" they couldn't consider it a leak and fix it under warranty. Hopefully, that will fix your leak.

[RockyMtG8GT]

They replaced my front timing chain cover yesterday. It wasn't dripping, just seeping but they didn't ask any questions, they ordered the parts and replaced it under warranty. I can see the shiny metal behind the crank pulley and no leaking as of yet but I'm going to drive the snot out of it this weekend and make sure no leaks start showing up. It will be easy to tell on the shiny new cover and oil pan.....
Keep an eye on it and if it gets worse and starts leaving stains on your driveway, they won't be able to deny fixing it. I'm at 73k miles so I want to make sure this engine isn't leaking anything before I pass 100k miles, which at my current rate will be in 8 months or so.....

[trohde78]

Maybe I will try to get them to fix it again when I go back in and get my trans flare fixed. Although nothing is hitting the ground (that I know of) the pan looks pretty crappy covered in a film of oil and dirt.

[TyG8GXP]

Mine got fixed at about 26,000 miles, and so far, so good.

[RockyMtG8GT]

Two weeks after the front timing cover was replaced and I'm starting to see some wetness already on the oil pan. This is frustrating, twice in the last couple months now and two jobs only to have oil leak again.
Not sure I really want this dealership tearing my engine apart again.....

[GM Customer Service]

Two weeks after the front timing cover was replaced and I'm starting to see some wetness already on the oil pan. This is frustrating, twice in the last couple months now and two jobs only to have oil leak again.
Not sure I really want this dealership tearing my engine apart again.....

RockyMtG8GT,

I understand your frustration. I recommend for you to take the vehicle back to the dealership and have them look at this concern for you. Please let me know if you have any questions, comments or concerns.


Thank you,

Tina GM Customer Service

[-Ray-]

Two weeks after the front timing cover was replaced and I'm starting to see some wetness already on the oil pan. This is frustrating, twice in the last couple months now and two jobs only to have oil leak again.
Not sure I really want this dealership tearing my engine apart again.....

They may have to remove the oil pan to get it right. The rear and front covers and the oil pan need to line up closely to tighten down without a leak.
I used a ground straight edge to line up mine before I torqued it down.
Any work the dealership does is going to have a warranty.

[RockyMtG8GT]

They may have to remove the oil pan to get it right. The rear and front covers and the oil pan need to line up closely to tighten down without a leak.
I used a ground straight edge to line up mine before I torqued it down.
Any work the dealership does is going to have a warranty.

Warranty on top of the warranty that's already in place? I'm thinking basically its guaranteed work since its a GM dealer and because its under warranty still.

I called the really nice service guy that I dealt with for the work and left him a voice mail letting him know my frustrations. I also told him I'm going to keep and monitor the leak, keeping a close eye on the oil level (which is still spot on, no drips on the ground either). What's strange this time is the oil that is accumulating on the bottom of the pan is VERY dark, not like the golden fresh oil inside the engine. This makes me think maybe, just maybe it is run-off from when they tore the engine apart that might have accumulated in the plastic sleeve that wraps around some wiring and runs along the oil pan (drivers side back to front). The oil even feels a bit strange, like grease.... but what do I know.
My mom flies in tomorrow and I have to cart her around and work and have too much going on to bring it in and leave the car for any amount of time over the next couple weeks. Unless it starts dripping on the pavement and I have to top it off, I'm not sure I really want them tearing it apart again.