Question for f5fstop

[Hummer3]

My H3 has 1400 miles and the rear engine seal is leaking. I did change to Mobil1 and they say Mobil1 can always find a leak. The leak is a small drip coming from the rear seal down to the rubber plug under the seal and flywheel. Will the engine need to be pulled to replace?

Thanks for your advice

[blindzebra]

I had a leak from my front seal at about 2200miles. The dealer said that it was due to a production nonconformity. They did not have to pull my engine, and it was all under warrantee. It doesn't matter what oil you use there should never be a leak. I am actually switching to AMSoil 5w30 with my next change. I've used it before and it's killer stuff.

[NoMoGMPG]

Originally Posted by Hummer3

My H3 has 1400 miles and the rear engine seal is leaking. I did change to Mobil1 and they say Mobil1 can always find a leak. The leak is a small drip coming from the rear seal down to the rubber plug under the seal and flywheel. Will the engine need to be pulled to replace?

Thanks for your advice

No, the proper procedure is to pull trans/tcase, not the engine.

[f5fstop]

Originally Posted by NoMoGMPG

No, the proper procedure is to pull trans/tcase, not the engine.

X2

As for the leak being from synthetic oil, tell them they are full of BS. Oil is oil, Mobil 1 meets AND EXCEEDS the GM requirement, and there should be NO leaks. Not that hard to remove T/case and trans on the H3, and then remove the flywheel and install a new rear seal. Probably not installed correctly in the plant. Not a big problem, but like axle seals, some will leak until repaired.

[Hummer3]

Thanks for the information. I will take it in tomorrow to the dealership and see their actions.

[Hummer3]

It turns out to be my oil pan seal, not the rear engine seal. The service manager said the pan seals have been a problem. I am driving an HHR loaner. The HHR really surprises me with its HP.

[macwag]

I developed a leak from my engine rear main seal at 2400 miles. I agree with f5fstop "Not that hard to remove T/case and trans on the H3, and then remove the flywheel and install a new rear seal." My brother is a GM mechanic and did the job for me. Everything was covered under the warranty. I have been running with Mobile 1 ever since with no more leaks.

[f5fstop]

Originally Posted by Hummer3

It turns out to be my oil pan seal, not the rear engine seal. The service manager said the pan seals have been a problem. I am driving an HHR loaner. The HHR really surprises me with its HP.

Good old assembly plant quality control. Guy must have been asleep when the gasket material ran out of the drum, and caused a skip in the gasket.

[Hummer3]

Bad news .

My H3 is still leaking. The dealer thought the oil pan was leaking and resealed it. I always thought it was the rear seal but the dealer said no. Whatever, its leaking. Any ideas?

[f5fstop]

Have the dealer add dye to the engine oil, and drive it for a few days. Then they can track the leak path with a blacklight. If it is coming from where the trans meets up with the engine, it is not a pan leak, it is most likely a rear seal. There will be an oil path from where the trans housing bolts to the engine, down to the pan. Unless you drive upside down, a pan leak will not go upward.
Take it back to the dealer and tell them to fix it right, at least the second time.

[Hummer3]

They said they dyed the oil and tracked the leak to the pan gasket. Looks like a bad pan re-seal job or the problem is the rear seal.

[f5fstop]

Ok, this is my opinon and only my opinion. But if a tech, could not reseal an oil pan correctly, I would not let him mess with pulling the trans and replacing the rear oil seal. Might be time to call Hummer, or head to another dealer. Did your repair order give a time for how long it took him to reseal the pan? I'm curious, to remove the pan, you have to drop the front diff out of the way, and remove the steering gear.
I wonder if he just tried to seal by shooting some sealant in where the leak was located?

[Hummer3]

Says 5.6 hours
Reads:
Added dye to system, black light and found leaking at oil pan.
RR Front Diff/Rack to get to oil pan removed resealed
test drive and recheck ok

There is an over excess of white sealent all around the edges of the pan.

[Hummer3]

Turns out to be my rear engine seal. I tried to tell them the first time it was that. I did not need to dye the oil to see where it was coming from.

The real thing that burns me is they give me an old buick with 35,000 miles on it to drive. I feel like ma and pa kettle.

I think this is the last week to order a 2006 model. I may trade my H3 for another 2006 before the prices go up. I understand not only the 2007's but inventory will also go up in price soon.

[f5fstop]

Hopefully, an intelligent auditor will bill them back for the first repair, but I don't hold much worth in that happening. But if GM did it more often, the first repair would more likely be the correct repair, and the customer would be happier.