4.2L Oil Leaks

2005 TB with less than 1,100 miles is starting to leave oil spots in the driveway. I am not sure if it is engine, trans or from the 4X4 unit. I can see oil on the bottom of the trans "bell housing" but I do not know if it just ran down there since it is one of the low spots on the engine package.

Anyone out there encountered the same problem?


2005 Trailblazer
4.2L 4X4

Thanks, G
:confused:

have it checked out since its still under the gm warrenty

have it checked out since its still under the gm warrenty

:m2:

Sounds like a dealership trip to me.

Dealership for sure, sounds like a seal might not be in place... :undecided

Well folks, I gots a bad feeling about this one...

Went to the dealer today to get my oil leak looked at, they tell me that the crankshaft is a bad casting and oil is seeping through pores in the steel.

They need to replace the crankshaft but there are none to be had. They tell me that it is safe to drive until the part comes in even after I told them I was planning on driving 2,000 miles on vacation. They said just bring it in when you get back.

I will be picking it up tomorrow and I plan on getting the following from the dealer:

1. Written statement that says it is safe to drive.
2. Copy of the service memo that they have detailing the crank problem.

I also am planning on asking for a complete new engine. I do not think they have the ability to replace the crank properly and dyno test the engine to see that everything is okay.

If anyone has any information regarding crankshaft failures please let me know. :mad:

Thanks

If it is seeping through the crank shaft, how is it getting outside the engine onto the ground? I do not understand what they are telling you? The crankshaft is soaked in oil by your oil pan for lubrication. Do they mean it is seeping out of the block?

My guess is that the oil is seeping through the end of the crank where it sticks through the rear main seal. I have not had a chance to talk to a real service person or see the service memo that they say they have.

I should be able to post details tomorrow.

Garymugs

if you keep having problems i have two words for you .....lemon law :yes:

if you keep having problems i have two words for you .....lemon law :yes:

Yeah after 3 times with the same problem. Only thing that sucks about the lemon law is it has to be exactly how you purchased it...no modifications. I'm sure there is still a catch. My friend filed a lemon for his car cause he had been back to the dealer 4 times because his guages kept reading wrong. Somehow they turned him down, and he ended up just buying a new truck.

Yeah after 3 times with the same problem. Only thing that sucks about the lemon law is it has to be exactly how you purchased it...no modifications. I'm sure there is still a catch. My friend filed a lemon for his car cause he had been back to the dealer 4 times because his guages kept reading wrong. Somehow they turned him down, and he ended up just buying a new truck.

It depends on the state as far as the 3 strikes rule. Some states are more picky than that :duh:

Honestly though this crankshaft issue is a new one to me. There have always been the known problems with early engines and their cyl. sleeves, but nothing about crankshafts.

Push hard for a whole new engine since you have such low mileage.

Well folks, I gots a bad feeling about this one...

Went to the dealer today to get my oil leak looked at, they tell me that the crankshaft is a bad casting and oil is seeping through pores in the steel.



WTF :confused:

I have never heard of this before. I wonder what made the service guy pull this one out of his butt. Its not like you see this kind of thing happen every day.

Whatever you do, MAKE SURE that whoever is doing this work has done it before at least a couple of times. First timers never work out right. Trust me.

A simple rear diff seal replacement on my Corvette by dealer service a few years ago cost me a new clutch, torque tube and driveshaft because they didn't know how to reinstall everything properly. :mad:

And, GM wouldn't cover the clutch, since it is a wear item. :duh:

I'm afraid you are in for multiple visits on this one...

damn push for a hole new truck, i wuold be very upset if i were you

shay

Ok, an oil leak on such a new vehicle has to be disapointing. What I don't under stand is why the Hell are people already talking about the car being a lemon? Why would you get a whole new vehicle when the only thing that is bad is a part of the engine? The diagnosis does sound strange, but I am not a tech so who knows. Just let them fix your vehicle and if the problem is fixed then your good to go. If this isnt the problem then push for a new motor and a longer powertrain warranty.

I got the service bullation from the dealer today. it is titled "Oil leak from rear of crankshaft - inspect for Crankshaft Porosity. PIP #3432.

The bottom line is that there is a "rare" defect in the pilot bearing area of the crank that can leak oil. PIP 3432 is dated 5-18-05 and impacts 2005 Trailblazers, Envoys, Buick Rainiers, and Saab 9-7x with the 4.2L engine (vin S - RPO LL8).

Repair is simply stated as "replace the engine crankshaft".

Chevy has ordered a crank and bearings. I must admit I have concerns regarding the work that they are going to be doing and would feel better if they installed a new engine. When I asked them how they were going to run the engine in and test it they got sort of green around the gills. I have been in their shop before, scary place. I will be leaning on GM to do it right.

I suspect there will be lots of trips to the dealer in my future... :(

My 2005 TB has a oil leak and I think this is the problem, I will bring it in next week along with this bulletin.

John



Document ID# 1566694
2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer - 4WD


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lubricant/Oil Leak from Front Area of Vehicle (Install Washer/Shim Between Oil Pan and Front Axle Housing Assembly) #04-04-19-002 - (Nov 18, 2004)
Lubricant/Oil Leak From Front Area of Vehicle (Install Washer/Shim Between Oil Pan and Front Axle Housing Assembly)
2004-2005 Buick Rainier

2004-2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer, TrailBlazer EXT

2004-2005 GMC Envoy, Envoy XL, Envoy XUV

with 4.2L L6 Engine (VIN S -- RPO LL8) and Four Wheel or All Wheel Drive

Condition
Some customers may comment on an oil leak from the front area of the vehicle.

Diagnosis may show the area of concern is at the axle case/housing half sealing surface adjacent to the pinion seal.

Cause
The front axle case/housing and the engine oil pan are mounted to each other on these vehicles. Casting variations in both the oil pan and the axle case/housing may cause hard contact between these two items where contact is not intended. When this happens, the front axle case/housing may distort when tightened to the oil pan. This may cause a leak path between the front axle case halves.

Correction
Follow the service procedure below to repair this condition.

Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information (SI Document ID #744862).
Diagnose the source of the leak. Refer to Front Axle Lubricant Leak Diagnosis (SI Document ID #700713). • If the source of the leak is something other than the case/housing half sealing surface, continue with the appropriate SI procedure to repair the leak source.
• If the source of the leak is the case/housing halves, continue with the next step.

Important: Observe the position of all the driveline components. Accurately mark the relationship of the components before removal. These components include the propeller shafts, the drive axles, the pinion flanges, and the output shafts. Reassemble all components in the exact relationship to each other as they were before removal. Follow the specifications, the torque values, and any measurements obtained prior to disassembly.


Reference mark the relationship of the propeller shaft to the front axle pinion yoke.
Remove the yoke retainer bolts and yoke retainers from the front axle pinion yoke.
Notice: When removing the propeller shaft, do not attempt to remove the shaft by pounding on the yoke ears or using a tool between the yoke and the universal joint. If the propeller shaft is removed by using such means, the injection joints may fracture and lead to premature failure of the joint.

Disconnect the propeller shaft from the front axle pinon yoke. Wrap the bearing caps with tape in order to prevent the loss of bearing rollers.
Position the front of the driveshaft so that the rear most front axle case/housing bolt can be removed.
Remove the rear most front axle case/housing to oil pan bolt. Upon removal of the bolt, a gap my appear between the front axle case/housing and the oil pan. This may indicate a interference condition between the front axle case/housing and the oil pan.
Loosen the next two forward axle mounting bolts in order to gain proper clearance.



Important: ONLY install ONE washer/shim in the most rearward mounting position as shown above.


Install one washer/shim, P/N 2436165 between the front axle case/housing and the oil pan at the rear most mounting hole as shown above.
Install the front axle to oil pan bolt.

Tighten

Tighten the three front drive axle mounting bolts to 85 N·m (63 lb ft).

Clean the underside of the vehicle with appropriate cleaner.
Remove the tape from the front driveshaft bearing caps.
Align the reference marks made during removal.
Install the propeller shaft to the front axle pinion yoke.
Install the yoke retainers and the bolts.

Tighten

Tighten the front propeller shaft yoke clamp bolts to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).

Remove the front axle oil fill plug.
Fill the front drive axle with the proper fluid SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle Lubricant, P/N 89021677 (Canadian P/N 89021678) or equivalent, meeting GM Specification 9986115.

Specification

The oil level should be between 0-13 mm (0-0.5 in) below the fill plug opening.

Install the front axle oil fill plug.

Tighten

Tighten the fill plug to 32 N·m (24 lb ft).

Lower the vehicle.
Parts Information
Part Number
Description
Qty

2436165
Washer/Spacer
1

89021677

(in Canada use 89021678)
SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle Lubricant
1


Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

F9703
Washer/Spacer, Frt Axle to Oil Pan - Install
0.6 hr




GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION


© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Document ID# 1566694
2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer - 4WD

Welcome to the site John, I am sorry to hear about both of yalls problems. Hopefully they are resolved promptly and correctly :yes: