What should i do about oil leak

[ahunn]

07 Tahoe 4wd and rear main seal is leaking and oil pan. Depending on my driving habits I'm adding two quarts every two weeks.
My dilemma is I can get it repaired at dealer for 2100$ which I think is expensive. Is it? Carx quoted me 1700$ depending on how hard the oil pan is to get to after removing Trans. If not that hard it would be cheaper.
I'm leaning towards carx due to the cheaper price but who would you guys trust with the repairs?

 

[OR VietVet]

1. You should already have a favorite/trusted/knowledgeable shop to go to if you cannot do it yourself.

2. What are you getting for your money at those prices? Quality of parts to be used? Tech that does the work ASE Certified? Shop reputation? Warranty?

 

[ahunn]

1. Last guy I went to when I had things I couldn't do retired as he is now 72 years old. Nowadays I go to a shop like carx if I can't do something, but this is major compared to other things.
2. I was thinking I'd get more for my money at the dealer and I imagine a warranty which I'll confirm when they call me back shortly. Carx is nationwide as far as I know and I'd say reputable but idk. I'm leaning towards the chevy dealer. I've gotta go for a recall soon anyway.

Has anyone else had any major work done at a place like CarX?

 

[wsteele]

1. Last guy I went to when I had things I couldn't do retired as he is now 72 years old. Nowadays I go to a shop like carx if I can't do something, but this is major compared to other things.
2. I was thinking I'd get more for my money at the dealer and I imagine a warranty which I'll confirm when they call me back shortly. Carx is nationwide as far as I know and I'd say reputable but idk. I'm leaning towards the chevy dealer. I've gotta go for a recall soon anyway.

Has anyone else had any major work done at a place like CarX?

CarX is a franchise operation and so the quality of your result will still come down to who owns the shop you choose.

If I were you, I would research which local independent shops have the highest ratings and testimonials. Maybe look for a highly rated one that does a lot of GM work, look for big signs on the side of their building that says "ACDelco", etc.

Also, the only shop I would even consider better KNOW what is involved in the repairs you outlined, BEFORE they start. It isn't like those gaskets and seals aren't pretty regular items. If the guy says he will know what is involved after he gets in there, ah no.

 

[CaptainAmerica1]

Where are you? I got a guy in Dallas that’ll do it for $800

 

[OR VietVet]

What @wsteele said. I have never been trusting of franchise shops. Lots of times those shops could not make a go on their own and sell to a franchise and still work the shop. If the quality was in the shop to begin with, they would have done fine by themselves. Plus, franchise shops usually have guidelines to follow that at times can lead to poor repairs.

A Quality Independent Shop is the way to go. Why not get a recommendation from the retired guy you trusted? Search those independents, like @wsteele said and look for the wall of certifications. Best ratings and testimonials help a lot. When you do find one you like and trust, STAY THERE!

But as has been said, no matter what shop you end up at, check the parts quality and the warranty as well.

Yes, like what @CaptainAmerica1 said, where are you, so we can recommend. I have a pair that own a shop here in Eugene that are top notch.

 

[ahunn]

Where are you? I got a guy in Dallas that’ll do it for $800

I wish. I'm in Cincinnati Ohio

 

[ahunn]

What @wsteele said. I have never been trusting of franchise shops. Lots of times those shops could not make a go on their own and sell to a franchise and still work the shop. If the quality was in the shop to begin with, they would have done fine by themselves. Plus, franchise shops usually have guidelines to follow that at times can lead to poor repairs.

A Quality Independent Shop is the way to go. Why not get a recommendation from the retired guy you trusted? Search those independents, like @wsteele said and look for the wall of certifications. Best ratings and testimonials help a lot. When you do find one you like and trust, STAY THERE!

But as has been said, no matter what shop you end up at, check the parts quality and the warranty as well.

Yes, like what @CaptainAmerica1 said, where are you, so we can recommend. I have a pair that own a shop here in Eugene that are top notch.

I've made a few calls to all the shops that are at least 4 stars in Google that are near me. I started calling Thursday and I am still waiting on them to call me back.
If anyone has a recommendation nearby I would gladly take it.

 

[avalonandl]

The oil pan leak may just be loose bolts. You have a aluminum oil pan so you can tighten them yourselves would be very careful on the amount of torque. The rear main seal is a real bear to change if it’s leaking. It’s a common problem.

 

[Rocket Man]

Who diagnosed the rear main? You might have oil coming from other places that seems like it might be the rear main like valve covers or oil pressure sender.

 

[swathdiver]

07 Tahoe 4wd and rear main seal is leaking and oil pan. Depending on my driving habits I'm adding two quarts every two weeks.
My dilemma is I can get it repaired at dealer for 2100$ which I think is expensive. Is it? Carx quoted me 1700$ depending on how hard the oil pan is to get to after removing Trans. If not that hard it would be cheaper.
I'm leaning towards carx due to the cheaper price but who would you guys trust with the repairs?

7.1 and 3.5

Shop time is 7.1 hours for the rear main plus parts and 3.5 hours for the oil pan gasket plus parts. So that's 10.6 hours, what are they charging per hour?

 

[avalonandl]

Before you spend that kind of money what you should really do is power wash the underside so you get it clean. And then go through meticulously and tighten up all the oil pan bolts and valve cover bolts and then check your leak

 

[91RS]

First off I would never use someone who quotes work “depending on how hard the oil pan is to get off” on an extremely common job like this.

Second, two quarts leaking in two weeks would be a massive leak. Your truck would be covered front to back in oil underneath and it would be dripping all over your driveway. I suspect most of your two quarts is probably being burned due to caked up piston rings in your AFM engine. So you’re likely to spend $2k fixing your leaks but not fixing your consumption.

If you like this truck and intend to keep it, your best option is a reman engine.

 

[swathdiver]

First off I would never use someone who quotes work “depending on how hard the oil pan is to get off” on an extremely common job like this.

Second, two quarts leaking in two weeks would be a massive leak. Your truck would be covered front to back in oil underneath and it would be dripping all over your driveway. I suspect most of your two quarts is probably being burned due to caked up piston rings in your AFM engine. So you’re likely to spend $2k fixing your leaks but not fixing your consumption.

If you like this truck and intend to keep it, your best option is a reman engine.

I forgot to ask if he had engine oil cooler lines, they can certainly drop some oil if in need of replacement!

 

[ahunn]

The oil pan leak may just be loose bolts. You have a aluminum oil pan so you can tighten them yourselves would be very careful on the amount of torque. The rear main seal is a real bear to change if it’s leaking. It’s a common problem.

I tried this first as it worked for my 01 Cadillac Seville STS but no luck this time.

 

[ahunn]

Who diagnosed the rear main? You might have oil coming from other places that seems like it might be the rear main like valve covers or oil pressure sender.

I actually went to the dealership (McCluskey Chevrolet) to get it diagnosed.
backstory...I was driving down the highway and a construction sign fell over. I couldn't avoid it, ran over it, and it broke the skid plate plus drivers side fender liner. I wanted to make sure there was no more danger And so I took it to the dealership to find out what all was wrong. ((Edit) not that it caused it)They told me oil pain was the worst, rear main is leaking, and the valve covers have a very slight leak.

 

[ahunn]

I forgot to ask if he had engine oil cooler lines, they can certainly drop some oil if in need of replacement!

Pretty sure I do but I'll double check when I go out

 

[89Suburban]

Who diagnosed the rear main? You might have oil coming from other places that seems like it might be the rear main like valve covers or oil pressure sender.

Or Valley Pan gasket.

 

[ahunn]

7.1 and 3.5

Shop time is 7.1 hours for the rear main plus parts and 3.5 hours for the oil pan gasket plus parts. So that's 10.6 hours, what are they charging per hour?

799.20 labor for rear main seal cover
378.00 for oil pan gasket labor
With parts and tax at carx the total would be 1759.48.
I'd have to call the dealer back Monday as I can't remember exactly. I know it was over 100$/ hr tho and 2200$ total

 

[ahunn]

Or Valley Pan gasket.

I had to research this as I'd never heard of it. I'm gonna head out shortly and check it out. How can I tell if its leaking there? I can recall cleaning my throttle body and seeing under the intakeand thinking it looks like something may have leaked a bit under there.