What is this part that is leaking?

AgEng06

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7:49a, 1/7/25

AG

2018 GMC 2500 Diesel... Please excuse my ignorance, but what is this part under my front end that is leaking oil?

This picture was taken from right behind the driver's side front tire,looking towards the passenger side.

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Flaith

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8:17a, 1/7/25

AG

Hard to make out what it is from this angle, but I can see there is one on the other side, so I'm leaning towards some suspension bushing.

Whatever it is, I don't think that is the part that is leaking.... you are right next to your engine, so look up higher. Valve cover gasket, oil cooler lines, etc.

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AgEng06

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In reply to Flaith • 8:20a, 1/7/25

AG

Thanks, and that's what I was thinking too. The oil filter is right above it, but it doesn't look like that's where it's coming from. I'll look under the hood when I get a chance.

Flaith

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8:26a, 1/7/25

AG

Could it be residual filter oil from when the oil filter is removed during an oil change?

AgEng06

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In reply to Flaith • 8:36a, 1/7/25

AG

Nah. Oil was changed a few months ago, and the spot on my driveway keeps getting bigger. Per usual, it seems like it's going to be something way more expensive than a leaky oil filter.

SuperdutyAg85

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8:39a, 1/7/25

AG

Power steering? Are you sure it's motor oil?

Kyle Field Shade Chaser

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8:40a, 1/7/25

AG

It's gotta be coming from above that

AgEng06

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In reply to SuperdutyAg85 • 8:42a, 1/7/25

AG

Nope, I'm not sure it's motor oil , it could be another fluid as well.

Anyone have any recommendations for a diesel mechanic in the North Austin/Burnet/Georgetown triangle?

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8:45a, 1/7/25

AG

Power steering fluid. That's right where your gearbox is. Or brake fluid. Your master cylinder is above that.

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AgEng06

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8:54a, 1/7/25

AG

Well, I feel pretty dumb right now. Upon actually investigating, it did look like it was the oil filter that was leaking, not anything above it. Sure enough, I was just able to grab the filter and tighten it by hand. I don't know the torque specs, but I assume if I'm able to do it by hand laying on the ground, it's not tight enough.

I wiped the oil off of the filter and bushing below it, so we'll see if any appears again.

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Flaith

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9:07a, 1/7/25

AG

I'm actually kind of impressed that the oil change place didn't use a chain wrench and 8ft cheater bar to tighten it, per usual

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AgEng06

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In reply to Flaith • 9:09a, 1/7/25

AG

Well, the last oil change was at Covert GMC in Austin, so you never know I guess.

Martin Q. Blank

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In reply to AgEng06 • 9:15a, 1/7/25

Quote:
I don't know the torque specs, but I assume if I'm able to do it by hand laying on the ground, it's not tight enough.

I always do mine by hand. Get it as dry as possible and tight as possible by hand. Do they even make a filter torque wrench?

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Ribeye-Rare

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In reply to Flaith • 10:18a, 1/7/25

AG

Flaith said:
I'm actually kind of impressed that the oil change place didn't use a chain wrench and 8ft cheater bar to tighten it, per usual

That's the damn truth.

I'm surprised those oil change 'techs' haven't yet figured out a way to rig up a 3/4" pneumatic impact wrench to tighten those things down -- right after forgetting to put in the drain plug with the stripped threads.

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TPS_Report

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In reply to Martin Q. Blank • 11:46a, 1/7/25

AG

Martin Q. Blank said:
Quote:
I don't know the torque specs, but I assume if I'm able to do it by hand laying on the ground, it's not tight enough.
I always do mine by hand. Get it as dry as possible and tight as possible by hand. Do they even make a filter torque wrench?

Not to my knowledge, but you can attach a torque wrench to a filter socket like these. But really, hand tight is sufficient.

I bleed Maroon and I wipe burnt orange!

will.mcg

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In reply to TPS_Report • 6:28a, 1/9/25

AG

General rule of thumb for oil filters is 1 full turn after it "makes contact"(stops spinning on) for which you probably will need an oil filter wrench depending how oily your hands are at that point.