Question-------------------------
Gee Harold - I'm sorry - no insult to dealer techies was intended. I go to my "maintenance" mechanic for routine maintenance because it is more convenient for me to go there. Dealer service centres just don't have the hours that fit my schedule -- I end up talking to a "service receptionist" on the phone and I never get a chance to talk to the tech who actually worked on my car and I never get anywhere near the service bay to physically point out what's causing concern for me. (I'm sure that's not the techn's fault!). By the time a pick up my car the techs have all gone home.
Now to stick up for my Maintenance guy --- He probably would have checked out each of the possible sources of the leak that you pointed out but since the car is under a service contract that's for the dealer techs to do. In fact, my car was in for a LOF... that's when my maintenance guy observed the oil leak and oil spray. Actually he spent a half hour doing a visual inspection and physically pointing out to me where there was oil pooling and oil spraying so that I could tell the dealer tech (but see my note above). Actually I think my maintenance guy was doing a damn good job... He was being paid to do LOF -- but he always runs a visual inspection of the car with me right there every time the car is in for routine maintenance. That's how he and I work together to keep my car running properly and avoid big problems down the road.
And now for a real dig at dealer service bays... my car was in the service bay at the dealer four days earlier on a vehicle recall repair...No one noticed the oil leak or oil spray or if the tech noticed it, the "service receptionist" made no mention was made of it to me either over the phone or on the work order when I picked the car up. Personally I'd prefer being able to talk to the tech myself -- I agree with you -- they know the most about my car - not some service receptionist who doesn't even get his hands dirty.
Thanks for letting me air my side of the story.
Deb R. PS My Sunfire GT has a 2.2 4 cyl. five spd manual Thank you again for your time.
Followup To
Question -
2000 Pontiac Sunfire GT - Back in October or Nov 2003 my car had a minor oil leak which was repaired at a GM dealer (under a service contract). My maintenance mechanic observed another oil leek from the back(?) of the cylinder head --- when we looked closer there was oil all over the cylinder head and pooling up in the indentations on the head. My maintenance mechanic is concerned that this is a leak in the cylinder head itself. - GM mechanic says - oil was leaking at the oil pressure sensor and this leak has now been repaired. Q. Where is the oil pressure sensor? Why is there oil all over the place? My regular maintenance mechanic is a little skeptical that there could be oil all over the cylinder head if its just a "sensor leak". I'm skeptical too... I wouldn't mind a second (or third) opinion.
Thanks for your help. - Sign me, "getting a little more knowledgeable about car stuff every day".
Answer -
You do know that we do maintenance work in the dealers too, don't you?
There are a couple of places that the oil pressure sender could be on your car. You didn't tell me which engine you have so I cant tell you for sure, but an oil sender leak can get oil everywhere depending on how bad it is leaking. Your other mechanic should know that! If you have a 3.1 or a 3.4 in the car, the most probable leak is from the end seals on the lower intake manifold gasket or from the oil pump drive gear seal. Your other mechanic should know that too! If you have a 3.8 the most probable leak is from the valve cover gaskets. He should also know that!
If your mechanic does not know about these very common problems or he cant figure out where the leak is coming from, maybe you should take it to the technicians at the dealer. Who would know your car better? We are all factory trained and know more about your car than anyone.
AnswerI know how you feel, because if I need to talk to someone at the bank or phone company or just about anywhere else, I cant because I am stuck at work and by the time I get off, they are gone. I wasn't trying to put down your mechanic. All I was saying is that if he was not sure where the leak was coming from, you should let the dealer check it out.
Not to defend dealer techs, just because I am one, but if you took your car in for a recall, that is all that would have been done. They are not going to check out your car just because it is in the shop. If it was in for a LOF or some other service that required lifting the car, they probably would have told you about the leak. At least I hope they would have. There are some bad eggs out there.
I hope that I didn't offend you in any way and hope that if you have any other questions in the future, you'll ask ME.
