Oil Pan Replaced - oil drops on bell housing

[Maxclass]

I replaced my oil pan this past weekend as a weekend warrior project for my 4x4 Tahoe. Truck has 175,000 miles. See my before and after pictures for the amount of the oil leak accumulating over time compared to the new pan. Mechanic wanted $700. Total DIY cost was $70 except add an additional $150 for new oil pan.

Oil gasket had the original factory rivets. Replaced with FelPro oil gasket. Sludge was minimal. Flywheel was bone-dry when inspected with the oil pan off, which I have read, is a fairly good sign an oil leak is not coming from the rear main seal (although some post indicate there can still be a RMS leak with a dry flywheel). Drove an entire week with the new pan. Leak is gone EXCEPT for occasional droplets found on the outside of the bell housing (nothing substantial but clearly a leak elsewhere). See picture with arrow and circle on bell housing.

I am going to check the oil pressure gauge for leaking next; it's location behind the engine compartment looks like a pain-in-the-ass to get to without removing the intake manifold which is not going to happen for this process. So yeah, reaching my hand back there blindly and feeling for signs of oil. Starter does not appear to have oil on it nor the bolts to the starter.

Notes to future DIY:

1. Drop the diff if 4x4 (See link to YouTube)
2. Ensure all oil pan bolts are removed before taking off pan. (I counted the # of bolts removed instead of looking at the oil pan perimeter). I missed 1. Had to buy new oil pan after snapping front rear corner off.)
3. Torque (2) rear oil pan bolts -the long ones- at 106 inch points and not 18 ft pounds
4. Starter made a ticking noise after reinstallation. I suspect the original starter pinon was not engaging the flywheel properly. Noise subsided over time and is now gone. It still was not a nice noise to hear after dismantling the oil pan.


Resources Used:
Haynes Manual, Chapter 2B-15

View attachment 208778

 

[SnowDrifter]

Is it a leak or residual oil?

That same drip was there prior to doing the pan, judging by your pictures

You can visually check the oil pressure sending unit with a mirror. Replacement can be done with a wobble extension or a u-joint. Don't need to remove the intake manifold. It's a 10 minute job

 

[Maxclass]

I had wiped off the oil drops on the bell housing. Thanks for the info on using a mirror. That sounds more effective than reaching back there with my hand feeling for signs of oil.

 

[915_Tahoe]

Could be the rear mail seal. Also did oil pan, transfer to case, case to trans gasket and still see oil drips from bell. So I will be getting that done soon.

 

[JonnyTahoe]

Had the exact same thing happen getting the pan off except I missed two bolts. I did not damage the pan but would of liked to replace it after seeing your new one. I still have a oil leak that is probably coming from the rear main as I have 290k miles. The ''ticking'' your hearing after you replaced the pan is probably the plastic shield behind the starter that is held in place with one small bolt. If this little black shield is cracked, broken or not installed properly it can rub on the flex-plate bolts and make a ticking sound that may or may not eventually go away I had this happen to me as a result of wiping it off after an oil change. You would never think the ticking would be from this little plastic bell housing shield but if you remove it that may be the cause of the ticking. Finally I hope you checked your flex-plate bolts as long as you had the pan off they were Loose on mine.

 

[inmypassatlife]

Oil Press Sensor or Crank Position Sensor