Bought the wife a new 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe with the 3.0L diesel engine back in May this year. Took it in for the first oil change after about 2,000 miles and noticed oil leaking in the garage. Just a couple of small drips - thought it was odd, but maybe the tech just spilled a bit when he refilled it. Put a white paper plate (taped down) to the garage floor to see if anymore oil leaked out. Watched it for about a week, and continued to get another drip or two. Called the dealership - took it in and they indicated, oh probably a bad oil filter, we will change it out for you, and you'll be on your way. Put a new paper plate down after she came home, and what do you know, a few more drips. We are busy folks, like most Aggies, so didn't have time to really mess with it, but was certainly annoyed. She drove it for a month, and I would say it dripped a total of about 1 tablespoon of oil in that time, with additional drips occurring somewhat infrequently, but maybe slightly more after longer trips when the engine got a bit hotter. She works at a school, so no idea how much leaked out while she was at work, but likely a similar amount.

Spoke to the dealership and took it in again, and now we were told that perhaps they had a bad batch of oil filters, and they would swap it out again. So sorry. Annoyed at the problem, but feel like the dealership and service techs are trying to help us. Second time around, took a picture of the oil on the plate, closer to two tablespoons now, and they added some die to our oil so the could see where the leak was occurring (no longer thought it was the oil filter). Drove it for 3-weeks, and took it back in and they have indicated they believe we have a rear main seal leak after seeing the die.

All covered by warranty (vehicle only has about 4,500 miles on it) and the service techs have indicated that this is a fairly common problem, which surprised me a bit, but I guess it's good that it's a repair they have done many times, so hopefully they are well trained and know how to fix it correctly.

I'm not a mechanic, and know very little about engines or how big of problem this is. Appreciate any thoughts from the forum on what to watch out for after the repair or what problems we might be in for in the future or other suggestions. Does it surprise you guys that this is a common problem for Chevrolet diesel engines? Tech said they are seeing it quite a bit in their trucks, tahoes and surburbans.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I do that for my truck. I've got about 2" clearance front & back when I park.

I haven't noticed any leaking on mine, but I will keep an extra close eye on it now.

Hopefully they can get you in and out quickly. My truck has been at the dealership for over a month "waiting on parts" for a warranty issue.

I had my Silverado in for a similar leak. After some research, I found the main culperit was the oil galley near the oil filter housing. However, the first dealership chose no to listen, so they changed my front main seal. Then, after the leak persisted, they changed the oil pan gasket. Finally, my third trip to another dealership fixed the problem, the oil galley plug.

Roger350 said:

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I think the amazing part of this story is that your wife can park that Tahoe with a standard deviation no larger than a paper plate. Impressive.

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POTD!

Appreciate the tip. Will try to convince them to fix that at the same time as the main seal work, scheduled for late next week.

They had it in the shop for about 10-days to fix the rear main seal. Got it back and they told me at the time of pick-up that it was still leaking, "but less now," and they think the culprit is the oil pan. They have ordered us a new oil pan, which is back-ordered, along with some once use only bolts needed for the repair. Been waiting now for over two months on the back-ordered parts. Called yesterday that the pan arrived, but we are still waiting on the bolts. Hopeful to have those next week and get started with the repair.

The leak was barely noticeable on our paper plates during Sept and October (consistent with the Tech's "less" comment), but in November it started increasing to slightly more than the original leak. Hopeful to get it in, in the next week or two for repair number three, if you count the oil filter lie from the first time.

Debating if I want to go with a lemon-law claim, or just hope they can finally fix it. If they fail again, I wonder if a different Chevrolet dealership may be the way to go.

Remember trading in a Tacoma for a brand new Tahoe (kid hauler) and parked it in the garage (oil leak). Went back to the dealer 3 times to get it fixed - cannot recall what it was. I remember being so frustrated about trading in the reliable Toyota for a payment / oil leak. That said, after it was fixed, the Tahoe has been fantastic minus a few items. My one regret was I should have never traded in the Tacoma - still regret that.

I'll be honest, I would be really irritated with this situation. I am sure they had to evacuate and disconnect the refrigerant system on the AC. That's never a good thing. I would be inclined to trade it in and take whatever lump I had to or try for a lemon law claim. I was always a big GM fan, but after dealing with the problems on everything I have owned newer than 2010, I don't think I will buy another one.

Which Chevrolet dealership? And I would definitely go the lemon law route. No telling what else they have screwed up on your new vehicle.
Had a lemon new 2023 F250 and ford could not get parts and the dealership would not replace so ford bought it back after 6 months or so. Was a real pita but at least the dealership let me drive an f150 loaner the whole time.

Love the BS that a dealer service dept will try to sell you. "Leaking is normal" lol


Since we graduated from constant oil loss motors there has been no engine ever that is supposed to leak. Many do, but they aren't supposed to.

Had a 2001, no problems, but am not familiar with the newer models.

Redstone said:

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Had a 2001, no problems, but am not familiar with the newer models.

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How about your wife's juke though?

Nissan Kicks, local Gunn dealership didn't have Jukes