Oil Leak or Oil Spots on Driveway and/or Garage Floor After Routine Maintenance Engine Oil Change (Install Moisture Sealant Patch)

Some customers may comment on an oil leak or oil spots left on their driveway and/or garage floor. This condition usually occurs after the vehicle has had a routine maintenance engine oil change.

The removal of the engine oil drain plug and/or the oil filter from the vehicle may allow the old engine oil to become trapped inside the frame. Over time the oil residue may seep out slowly, causing the oil spots on the driveway or garage floor.

Important: There are two different procedures listed below based upon the engine.

Procedure for 3.5L (RPO L52) or 3.7L (RPO LLR) Engine

Clean off any engine oil residue and install moisture sealant patches using the procedure below.

1. Hoist and raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in SI.
2. Remove the oil pan skid plate. Refer to Oil Pan Skid Plate Replacement in SI.
3. Remove the engine shield. Refer to Engine Shield Replacement in SI.
4. Clean off any oil residue from the engine shield and oil pan skid plate.



5. Apply engine degreaser, GM P/N 12378482 (in Canada, use 992878), or equivalent to the inside of the frame brace access hole (1).

3.5L (RPO L52) Engine Oil Filter and Shield Shown




6. Apply engine degreaser to the top of oil filter drain shield (1).
7. Apply engine degreaser to the inside and outside of the right front frame rail.
8. Hose off the engine degreaser.
9. Use shop air to dry off the inside and outside of the frame brace and frame rails.
10. Dry around the frame brace access hole with shop cloth.
11. Obtain a 3M™ Scotch® Electrical Moisture Sealant Patches, P/N 06149, or equivalent and peel the protective backing off the patch.



12. Attach a moisture sealant patch (1) over the frame brace access hole.
13. Locate the engine oil filter drain shield located on right front frame rail.
14. Obtain two 3M™ Scotch® Electrical Moisture Sealant Patches, P/N 06149, or equivalent.
15. Cut the two patches down to 38 mm (1½  in) by 38 mm (1½ in).



16. Clean and dry the tops of the two oil filter shield retainers (1).
17. Attach the patches to the top of the oil filter shield retainers.




17.1.

Peel the protective backing off a patch and attach the patch to the top of the first retainer (1).

17.2.

Peel the protective backing off of the second patch and attach the patch to the top of the second retainer (2).

18. Install the engine shield. Refer to Engine Shield Replacement in SI.
19. Install the oil pan skid plate. Refer to Oil Pan Skid Plate Replacement in SI
20. Lower the vehicle.

Procedure for 5.3L (RPO LH8) Engine

Clean off any engine oil residue and install a moisture sealant patch using the procedure below.

1. Hoist and raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in SI.
2. Remove the oil pan skid plate. Refer to Oil Pan Skid Plate Replacement in SI.
3. Clean off any oil residue from the oil pan skid plate.



4. Apply engine degreaser, GM P/N 12378482 (in Canada, use 992878), or equivalent to the inside hole (1) of the crossmember frame brace.
5. Hose off the engine degreaser.
6. Use shop air to dry off the inside and outside of the frame brace.
7. Dry around the frame brace access hole.
8. Obtain a 3M™ Scotch® Electrical Moisture Sealant Patches, P/N 06149, or equivalent and peel the protective backing off the patch.



9. Attach a moisture sealant patch (1) over the frame brace access hole.
10. Install the oil pan skid plate. Refer to Oil Pan Skid Plate Replacement in SI.
11. Lower the vehicle.

Purchase 3M™ Scotch® Electrical Moisture Sealant Patches (1), P/N 06149 or equivalent material locally.

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use: