KarenG Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 It's just me now taking care of the coach, so I appreciate all input and help! It seems I have an oil drip. I paid a mobile service to take a look at it, and he cleaned it off, said it wasn't a big deal and the location was between oil and transmission. Also, that i should just add oil as needed, and it would be better with more driving, etc. The Texas weather is incredibly hot, over 100 several days-few weeks, but I've not had a leak before. So, I'm not sure I can just consider heat impact. I took a 2 week trip to Colorado the end of June, and no issues. Drip showed up on the concrete early August, and i did a 100 mile trip when the dash told me low oil. I added 5w 30. I turned over the engine today to move fluids, and there is still a drip. What exactly should I look at to know if this is something I can head off from getting worse? And, what is your recommended mileage for an oil change? Appreciate your time! 2008 Safari Simba 36PCT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan K Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 Is it a gasoline engine since you used 5w30? Can you elaborate about where is it more precisely, 'between oil and transmission'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomV48 Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 If it is engine oil then keep up on the oil check at the dip stick. Oil is critical and more than a quart low could become part of a bigger problem. If it is transmission, that can be tougher as mine has no dip stick and I have to rely on MODE CODES on the Allison shifter panel/control head. You can google and get the procedure and codes to make that panel tell you how you are doing on Trans fluid Watch our on leaving stains behind you in Camp or RV park as that is what justifies the parks that say no coach older than 10 years and that is YOU AND US. I get tired of having to submit photos and give assurances about the mechanical condition of our coach to get in to parks. So far i have never been turned away but please tread lightly for all of us. Sounds like a seal on the engine or transmission, depending upon which fluid is actually leaking. I bet that can be an expensive repair but I would talk to my full service Truck/RV repair shop. With an old clunker of a car I have been know to throw in some leak seal product, but would not do that on such an expensive baby as our coach. Oh yikes a gasser. My bad What I said still applies but if you are lucky you will have dip stick on both engine and transmission and in a good shop a seal might not be as pricey a deal as it is for us rear engine diesel folks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craggar Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 Sounds like a rear seal to me or at least oil pan gasket. I would try to get it in a shop that will work on it to get a actual quote for the repair, it might not be that bad to get the pan off and reseal it. It's actually fairly easy on my DP but there's no real comparison. Having the light come on and tell you it's low is never good so I would be checking the dipstick before starting it everytime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenG Posted August 21 Author Share Posted August 21 Thanks for that. I thought it would be reasonable to consider a bad seal, but the service guy blew that off. I did check the dip stick, and actually it did not really show very low on the stick, but I added a quart. The dash notice went off and it was full when service guy checked it. Appreciate it! 43 minutes ago, TomV48 said: If it is engine oil then keep up on the oil check at the dip stick. Oil is critical and more than a quart low could become part of a bigger problem. If it is transmission, that can be tougher as mine has no dip stick and I have to rely on MODE CODES on the Allison shifter panel/control head. You can google and get the procedure and codes to make that panel tell you how you are doing on Trans fluid Watch our on leaving stains behind you in Camp or RV park as that is what justifies the parks that say no coach older than 10 years and that is YOU AND US. I get tired of having to submit photos and give assurances about the mechanical condition of our coach to get in to parks. So far i have never been turned away but please tread lightly for all of us. Sounds like a seal on the engine or transmission, depending upon which fluid is actually leaking. I bet that can be an expensive repair but I would talk to my full service Truck/RV repair shop. With an old clunker of a car I have been know to throw in some leak seal product, but would not do that on such an expensive baby as our coach. Oh yikes a gasser. My bad What I said still applies but if you are lucky you will have dip stick on both engine and transmission and in a good shop a seal might not be as pricey a deal as it is for us rear engine diesel folks Yep. Gas. It's been a great Workhorse coach, too. Thanks! 45 minutes ago, Ivan K said: Is it a gasoline engine since you used 5w30? Can you elaborate about where is it more precisely, 'between oil and transmission'? It is. Chevy Workhorse. And that's what it says to use on the cap, etc. I didn't crawl under...yet... but it is about center and near the front axle.the 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan K Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 It could be rear main gasket leak and that would take a bit of labor. I would first make sure it isn't coming down from a valve cover or rear intake seal or oil pressure sensor if back there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenG Posted August 22 Author Share Posted August 22 Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solution TomV48 Posted August 22 Solution Share Posted August 22 Karen, I am not familiar with the workhorse except to know it's a pretty well respected BIG BLOCK Chevy. Some Fords have tranny dip sticks and some don't. If yours has dip stick on the transmission, better watch that one too. Your best bet is to find a good HONEST SHOP, which is a tall order in itself, then with a mechanic's you can trust, decide where the leak is and the cost effectiveness of how to deal with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craggar Posted August 22 Share Posted August 22 6 hours ago, KarenG said: Thanks for that. I thought it would be reasonable to consider a bad seal, but the service guy blew that off. I did check the dip stick, and actually it did not really show very low on the stick, but I added a quart. The dash notice went off and it was full when service guy checked it. Appreciate it! Yep. Gas. It's been a great Workhorse coach, too. Thanks! It is. Chevy Workhorse. And that's what it says to use on the cap, etc. I didn't crawl under...yet... but it is about center and near the front axle.the Usually the dash light is for low pressure on a gas job which could mean a whole other problem and would explain why it wasn't low. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenG Posted August 22 Author Share Posted August 22 To let you all know, I was able to take the coach to a small local auto service that I have successfully dealt with in the past and wait while they got underneath and checked it all out. They determined the leak was from the oil filter! So he got one delivered, cleaned it all up, changed the oil, and presto!! All done!! Also checked transmission fluid which looks like new, and gave the undercarriage and engine a thumbs up for clean and no leaks! Thanks for input! This is a great source to get guidance and back up, and it's appreciated. Happy trails! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomV48 Posted August 22 Share Posted August 22 That sounds like a guy to hold on to. May the FORCE BE WITH YOU and may that be the worst problem you face this year. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenG Posted August 23 Author Share Posted August 23 He has been, yes! And, I appreciate that blessing more than you know. Live long and prosper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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