Oil leak, cannot be determined where it is coming from?

Tiny
ROYCAR71
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 2.4L
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 145,000 MILES
I took car to Chevrolet dealer, and they told me I have a bad water pump, that is leaking and a bad valve cover gasket, that is leaking. My problem is I agree with the water pump, but I do not see any wet oil areas around valve cover, and I think they may have misdiagnosed oil leak. I have included pictures.
Saturday, September 30th, 2023 AT 6:14 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,792 POSTS
Hello, it does look like the valve cover gasket may be leaking slightly, from the picture, the areas where there is dirt or dust sticking to the edges of the valve cover is where there is oil leaking. And that's what is causing the dirt to stick to the valve cover, but it is very slight. It's not something I would be alarmed about. Dealerships want to sell as much work as possible, so they are looking at it as a preventative measure. The mileage is high enough where gaskets such as the valve cover gasket will start to become hardened due to exposure to oil inside the valve cover. Another thing is when the PCV (positive crank ventilation) system starts to get carbon build up inside, and does not allow the correct amount of ventilation, oil leaks will start to happen. When the positive pressure in the crankcase has no place to go or is more than the PCV system can allow through, the positive pressure will start to push on the seals in the engine and they will start to leak. Such as the crankshaft front and rear main seals, valve cover gaskets, etc. All PCV systems eventually have carbon build up over time.
I do see some oil on the 2nd picture on the underside of the engine, again it's not extreme, but it is leaking somewhat.
If you can get a better look at the edges of the valve cover with a flashlight, you may see more. But Ill post some more info on the PCV system for you. There is a Technical Service Bulletin on the PCV orifice becoming clogged up (which is in the intake manifold) causing oil leaks to get worse and it will become more of an issue as winter approaches. But take care of the water pump leak right away. Thats not something you want to let go.
This is the Technical Bulletin on the PCV system, it looks like they have an issue with the orifice being too small, and its drilled out to allow more flow as seen in the 4th diagram below.
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Sunday, October 1st, 2023 AT 10:01 AM

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