Oil Leak Above Oil Filter on 5.3 Engine

[LsHart]

And yes factory gaskets will leak. There a man made object. That's one of the reasons there is TSBs and each tech has there fixes that work. I try and use the least amount of RTV as possible. That's just me. And it has worked. U do it right the first time there's no problems. That's just me.

 

[SpareParts]

Well i do understand what you said, but after 1000s of heat cycles that little part is not perfect anymore. A guy could take it to the machine shop and get it surfaced i you really wanted but instead a new gasket and a little of the right stuff it will never leak again.

 

[LsHart]

It's all good! Like I said everyone has there own ways. U can take the block off cap and use a bench sander and lightly level it and use the gasket( not a cheap one) and seal it up with nothing but the gasket. I feel u. I used to use the crap out of it.

 

[Fless]

Much easier to do if you can drop the axle from the tranfer case.

I don't have the torque spec handy for the blockoff bolts, but it's something like 106 or 108 INCH lbs. Need an inch-lb torque wrench if you are using one.

Charm.li has the torque for the block for the oil cooler lines block, but I don't see it for the blockoff plate.

Engine - Oil Leak At Oil Cooler Hose/Pipe Assembly — 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD V8-5.3L Service Manual | Operation CHARM

Detailed repair manual for the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD V8-5.3L.

charm.li

 

[LsHart]

89-106 inch pounds. So hand bump.

 

[EddieC]

Much easier to do if you can drop the axle from the tranfer case.

I don't have the torque spec handy for the blockoff bolts, but it's something like 106 or 108 INCH lbs. Need an inch-lb torque wrench if you are using one.

Charm.li has the torque for the block for the oil cooler lines block, but I don't see it for the blockoff plate.

Engine - Oil Leak At Oil Cooler Hose/Pipe Assembly — 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD V8-5.3L Service Manual | Operation CHARM

Detailed repair manual for the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD V8-5.3L.

charm.li

Seems like a good excuse to get a 1/4" torque wrench for that tight spot.

 

[EddieC]

The gasket shown in Post 9 is the right one for you and yes they have a bump pressed into the gasket around the sealing ports. When you tighten your bolts that crushes and gives you a seal. I have a couple that are hard to seal and kept leaking. Now when I do one I take 2 of the gaskets and use them, have the bumps opposing each other so it doubles the amount of crush. Then as Spare Parts already said coat them very lightly with The Right Stuff and install. It will never leak again.

Some guys buy the new thicker block off plate to cure this leak. You don't have to if you if you try the fix above. DO NOT USE EXCESS The Right Stuff, all you need is a thin film, any extra might form clumps that end up in your oiling system where they can cause trouble.

If using one gasket, which way would the raised edge on the hole go?

 

[EddieC]

Is that joint subject to the engine's oil pressure?

 

[West 1]

Does not matter as it just applies pressure between the two aluminum surfaces.

Yes that joint see’s full oil pressure as it is also used for oil cooler lines with tow package installed or HD use.

 

[07burban88]

i threw that plate in the trash and relocated my oil pressure sensor there. ill post the parts needed if anyone interested.

 

[SpareParts]

i threw that plate in the trash and relocated my oil pressure sensor there. ill post the parts needed if anyone interested.

I have not dug into this. Other than easy access what other advantage would this do?

 

[07burban88]

most defiantly ease of access. however, being closer to the filter gives more accurate pressure since its right out the filter instead of being the last place to receive the pressure

 

[Scrappycrow]

most defiantly ease of access.

YEAH, YOU TELL GM WHAT'S WHAT!

Why do so many folks mix up "definitely" and "defiantly"?

 

[07burban88]

its before 10am, haven't had my morning 6 dr peppers yet, and my pc spell/grammar checker sucks lol

 

[Fless]

YEAH, YOU TELL GM WHAT'S WHAT!

Why do so many folks mix up "definitely" and "defiantly"?

Should just use them both together and be definitely defiant.

 

[mikez71]

my issue is i keep typing 'definately'

all this attention for the oil block off, but dont be surprised if oilpan leaks..

 

[rdezs]

Seems like a good excuse to get a 1/4" torque wrench for that tight spot.

This is the best informative response to the question. Proper torque is a well-known issue here. Too tight and that thin aluminum piece warps and you have a leak. After it's warped you will always have a leak, it's best to replace with the new one. To loose and you have a leak. Inch pound torque wrench is a must.

 

[ilikemikes]

Thanks for this detailed info. I replaced my cooler lines a couple of years and now
a small drip rolling down to the transmission. Has to be this.

 

[alvocado]

I had oil leaking onto my oil filter and it was tricky to pinpoint the source. I cleaned everything up, added UV dye and eventually tracked it down to a rear main seal leak that was propagating onto the oil filter. Start clean and use dye if you aren’t 100% certain where the leak is coming from.

 

[LsHart]

most defiantly ease of access. however, being closer to the filter gives more accurate pressure since its right out the filter instead of being the last place to receive the pressure

But, just saying. The sensor is up by the heads for a reason. It's pressure at the heads.
If it's good at the sensor but week if I remember after the dog bone. Then heads will starve.