Help: Diesel in crankcase/oil!

DIESELMX207

New member
Feb 23, 2009
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Could someone PLEASE help me on this issue????

I have a 2003 Duramax with 180K miles. Problems started when my front main seal was leaking. I had it replaced and it started leaking again, but not as much as first time. I decided to change the oil and I drained out over 5 gallons!!!! It had at least 2.5 gallons of diesel in the oil!

Now I know there is a huge warranty issue on the injectors so I took it to my local dealer. They called me up and said that BOTH tests they ran on my injectors came back OK. They tested return rates and pressure, said the injectors are NOT leaking. When I picked up my truck, I talked to the mechanic... I asked him where else fuel could be leaking into crankcase. He said the high pressure fuel line under valve cover, or the low pressure line. The high pressure line would be covered under warranty but the low pressure line is not. It is a gamble for me to let them tear it down because if they find its NOT the injectors and NOT the high pressure line, I get slapped with over 12 hrs of labor.....

Some short history.... a few weeks before I had front main seal replaced, the truck started to develop a VERY rough shake at idle..... I ignored it for a week until i started seeing oil leak from behind main pulley on engine, but by this time the rough idle had ceased........

After changing oil, and putting fresh oil in it, my oil pressure began to run higher than I ever remember seeing it, about 60 psi on cold start, and droping to around 40 psi after road temperatures.......

That kept up for a few weeks now my oil pressure is starting to drop again on startup AND after driving...getting down to 20 psi while driving!!! or lower!

I have been checking oil level....its creeping up and smelling like diesel....

What else could it be if its NOT the injectors??? What are the chances that MY truck isn't covered by the warranty.....PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Thanks so much!!!!!!!!
 

LBZ

Super Moderator
Staff member
Jul 2, 2007
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Sounds like a leak from the lines under the valve covers to me. It's not a terrible thing to check so it might be worth it to do it yourself-if your mechanically inclined that is.:D
 

Burn Down

Hotrodder
Sep 14, 2008
7,092
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Boise Idaho
Dude, stop driving the truck right now until you get the fuel problem fixed, you will wipe out your bearings if you run very long. I would cut a oil filter and make sure you don't already have damage.
 

TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
Staff member
Apr 19, 2008
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Injectors. At least it happened during the warranty period.

Do as BurnDown suggested and stop driving the truck. Have it towed to the dealer asap.
 
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DIESELMX207

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Feb 23, 2009
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Well I am up against two things here:

1. Possible leak from fuel lines under valve cover. Mechanic told me if I were to go in and check the lines for leaks, I would have to disassemble the line to get the valve cover off, then hook it back up, and run it with dye in the fuel to see if its leaking. If it is, GM won't warranty it because I tampered with the original 'seal' of the high pressure line and now I'm to blame for it leaking....yes I know this sounds like total BS....

2. What am I to say to the dealership when they tell me my injectors are fine! They checked the balance rate and fuel return rate on the injectors and both tests came back within spec. They said they cannot do warranty work and replace the injectors if the tests are coming back ok.....
 

DIESELMX207

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Feb 23, 2009
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I am very mechanically inclined (mechanical engineer and motorcycle mechanic for 7 years). I would be more than happy to go in an check the fuel lines but I am trying to get this covered under warranty and the mechanic scared me off when he said they wouldn't warranty it if I went and took the high pressure line off myself..... Its like they are doing everything they can to NOT get this under warranty for me. What sweat is it off their back? When I was a mechanic, the warranty work was the GRAVY work because the factory paid for it!!!

Maybe I should just take it to another dealer.....
 

Vrabel

TOYAHOLIC
May 22, 2008
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It is gravy work, but mechanics at some dlrs get paid a different rate for warranty work. Worst case scenerio you can pay labor rate to have them check it out. make sure its a dealer with a good reputation. How many trucks on lot? If colbolts and HHR's out number 3 to 1, I would only use them as a part source.
 

DIESELMX207

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Feb 23, 2009
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Its one of the largest dealers in the area, but I don't know how their service dept compares... Frankly I dont care how big they are, as long as they warranty and replace my injectors or whatever is leaking...
 

DIESELMX207

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Feb 23, 2009
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Ok here is a quick update!

In a desperate attempt, I called a dealership located about 30 miles away. They seemed very sincere to my issue and very helpful.

I actually spoke with the mechanic and he said if I've got that much diesel in my oil it HAS to be the injectors. In all his years of working on these trucks he said he has NEVER seen a fuel return line leak fuel back into the crankcase and that it could NOT be the high pressure line because it only feeds the injectors!

He said bring it down on Monday and if they verify my truck has under 200K miles on it they are goign to throw injectors in it regardless of what they test at!!!!

OMG I am so happy. Thanks to all who responded to this issue!!!!!!!!
 

JoshH

Daggum farm truck
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Feb 14, 2007
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Ok here is a quick update!

In a desperate attempt, I called a dealership located about 30 miles away. They seemed very sincere to my issue and very helpful.

I actually spoke with the mechanic and he said if I've got that much diesel in my oil it HAS to be the injectors. In all his years of working on these trucks he said he has NEVER seen a fuel return line leak fuel back into the crankcase and that it could NOT be the high pressure line because it only feeds the injectors!

He said bring it down on Monday and if they verify my truck has under 200K miles on it they are goign to throw injectors in it regardless of what they test at!!!!

OMG I am so happy. Thanks to all who responded to this issue!!!!!!!!
That's good to hear. I hope it all works out for you. That's a nice looking truck you have.
 

SmokeShow

Well-known member
Nov 30, 2006
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I would take the advise someone else mentioned and NOT drive it over to them but rather have it hauled or towed. You can quickly throw the entire engine in the trash if you run it with excessive amounts of fuel or coolant in the oil.

Glad it sounds like they are gonna take care of you!! That makes the weekend a LOT better I'm sure! Now, instead of drinking one out of sorrow, you can drink one out of celebration. Those always taste better. :D :beer


c-ya