Problems/Service/Repairs If you have a problem with your HHR, want a tip on repairing or performing a particular service to you HHR here is the place to post!

Sudden oil leak after valve job!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 7, 2019 | 03:03 PM
  #1  
Brandy Grote's Avatar
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: 01-28-2019
Posts: 11
From: Los Angeles
Sudden oil leak after valve job!


Driveway after 2 days

Cardboard from last night.
I had a valve job and head gasket replace (as you do) after a P0303 code on my '09 which has about 65k miles. Suddenly, after driving just a couple hundred miles, I have a LOT of oil leaking in the past week. (Dipstick level appears fine) I had the car in for a general tune up as well, and if anything had been leaking like this, they would have repaired it then.
Could this be related to the recent work, and how much might the dealer charge if it is? (2nd photo indicates leak is from passenger side midway back.) I've already spent enough to put a downpayment on a Toyota this year, getting fed up.
Old Apr 7, 2019 | 03:20 PM
  #2  
Greybeard999's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 03-06-2010
Posts: 6,869
From: Ohio
If a shop did the work shouldn't they be taking care of this?
Old Apr 7, 2019 | 04:04 PM
  #3  
whopper's Avatar
Platinum Member
 
Joined: 04-09-2006
Posts: 7,043
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
How can anyone guess if it was due to the recent work? Where exactly is it leaking from?
Old Apr 7, 2019 | 04:32 PM
  #4  
Lonwane's Avatar
Premium Member
 
Joined: 03-12-2017
Posts: 1,250
From: Phoenix
You stated that you could put a down payment on a new Toyota, but, what about the monthly payments, taxes and insurance. I just spent $800.00 an my HHR this weekend and it is still cheaper than a new car.
Old Apr 7, 2019 | 05:10 PM
  #5  
Oldblue's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 40,091
From: Welland,Ont Canada
Welcome to the site, If it’s leaking on the passenger side it could be the front cover seal. I just replaced mine it slung oil out when the RPM was over 2,500 .
I had a Felpro seal, it started leaking after a month or so.
replaced with an AC Delco.
Old Apr 15, 2019 | 01:37 PM
  #6  
Brandy Grote's Avatar
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: 01-28-2019
Posts: 11
From: Los Angeles
Originally Posted by Lonwane
You stated that you could put a down payment on a new Toyota, but, what about the monthly payments, taxes and insurance. I just spent $800.00 an my HHR this weekend and it is still cheaper than a new car.
I've put EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS on this car in 6 months. And have been unable to drive it throughout that time. On a new car, I may pay a few hundred a month, but I can drive it every day.
Old Apr 15, 2019 | 01:41 PM
  #7  
Brandy Grote's Avatar
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: 01-28-2019
Posts: 11
From: Los Angeles
2 leaks

One leak IS the gasket seal whatever, that one is a freebie. But they CLAIM there is a leak from the cam shaft, it's "wobbling", and every time it wobbles it will just tear whatever. Thing is, they did a head to toe of this hunk of crap in January and never said anything about cam shaft anything. Another $1500, putting me over $8000 in repairs in the last 6 months alone.
Old Apr 15, 2019 | 01:54 PM
  #8  
Oldblue's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 40,091
From: Welland,Ont Canada
The cam shafts are under the valve cover, no seals.
as I posted before, seems to be the crank shaft seal , an easy 30 minutes job, not $1,500.00.
I’d call BS on this shop. They aren’t being honest with you.
If they used cheap inferior parts or did not change the seal before, shame on them .
the seal is under $20.00, I fixed send a Felpro seal and it leaked when reving about 2500 rpm.
I replaced it with an AC Delco seal and no leaks at any RPM.
Old Apr 15, 2019 | 02:21 PM
  #9  
Doc brown's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 04-07-2008
Posts: 1,051
From: Wisconsin
I question whether it really needed a valve job. I don't believe that commonly needs to be done. I'd be working with a new shop.
Old Apr 16, 2019 | 04:04 AM
  #10  
Brandy Grote's Avatar
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: 01-28-2019
Posts: 11
From: Los Angeles
Serpentine just replaced in Jan

Yeah, they seem to be milking this. They just replaced the serpentine, so if there is something "torn" there now, it seems obvious who did it.
My old mechanic retired, I wanted to trust the effing dealer, but not anymore. And Chevy corporate, who I went to about the valve problem, said I could have $750 credit towards "accessories", but no cash refund. Contemplating contacting my state Bureau of Auto Repair.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:42 PM.