Low Oil and Oil Spots on Garage Floor

[jimmymac]

2024 Premier , 4200 miles . Oil is a quart low on dipstick and there were 2 Oil spots on garage floor. Low oil light has not come on yet.
Anyone have similar issue.
Is SAE 0W20 always synthetic and did car come with synthetic,? I am out of town and trying to get answers to spouse

 

[PoManNox]

I've never seen a non-synthetic 0w20. GM wants you use Dexos 1 certified oils being the main thing. I wouldn't have a problem topping up with 5w20 or even 5w30 if that's all you had on hand as long as it's a dexos oil. Most are these days.

In terms of the source of the leak, you'll have to take a look under the vehicle to see if you can pinpoint it.

 

[Big Papi]

0w20 Dexos1 generation 3 is what to use. Available almost everywhere. Should be a warranty visit to your dealers. Oh and there is no Low Oil light. That would be oil pressure and if that comes on ...you're done!

 

[ravenblack67]

2024 Premier , 4200 miles . Oil is a quart low on dipstick and there were 2 Oil spots on garage floor. Low oil light has not come on yet.
Anyone have similar issue.
Is SAE 0W20 always synthetic and did car come with synthetic,? I am out of town and trying to get answers to spouse

Take it to the dealer.

 

[jimmymac]

3 weeks to get appointment. In the interim I added some oil to bring it up on dipsick. I'll drive it til it stops or seizes up.

 

[TwoEquinoxDad]

2024 Premier , 4200 miles . Oil is a quart low on dipstick and there were 2 Oil spots on garage floor. Low oil light has not come on yet.
Anyone have similar issue.
Is SAE 0W20 always synthetic and did car come with synthetic,? I am out of town and trying to get answers to spouse

My oldest daughter has a 2019 Equinox with the 1.5L motor. It was leaving oil spots in my driveway whenever she stopped by. Oil was dripping off the bottom of the motor. I believe the source of the oil leak to be the vacuum pump on the top of the motor. It may be that the pump's gasket is not sealing properly, but that is wishful thinking. The leak is very slow.

 

[jimmymac]

I will check it out. Going to dealer Thursday. Thanks

 

[PoManNox]

My oldest daughter has a 2019 Equinox with the 1.5L motor. It was leaving oil spots in my driveway whenever she stopped by. Oil was dripping off the bottom of the motor. I believe the source of the oil leak to be the vacuum pump on the top of the motor. It may be that the pump's gasket is not sealing properly, but that is wishful thinking. The leak is very slow.

That being the case, I'd throw a new vacuum pump, vac pump shaft seal and new gasket on it. I've seen some videos where guys use RTV to seal the vac pump housing to the head, but there's still the shaft seal that can leak inside of that space. As you've probably read these cam driven vac pumps can cause catastrophic engine damage if the pump looses a vane on the fly, binds up and breaks the end off the exhaust cam. This problem seems to be more prevalent on the GMC Terrain 1.5T and the Malibu 1.5T for whatever reason, but they all share the same engine.

 

[jimmymac]

That being the case, I'd throw a new vacuum pump, vac pump shaft seal and new gasket on it. I've seen some videos where guys use RTV to seal the vac pump housing to the head, but there's still the shaft seal that can leak inside of that space. As you've probably read these cam driven vac pumps can cause catastrophic engine damage if the pump looses a vane on the fly, binds up and breaks the end off the exhaust cam. This problem seems to be more prevalent on the GMC Terrain 1.5T and the Malibu 1.5T for whatever reason, but they all share the same engine.

Thanks again, nice to know. Strange about the Terrsin and Malibu, which I understand is no longer going to be made. I can't imagine the difference in weight in the vehicles would be yhe culprit.

 

[jimmymac]

2024 Premier , 4200 miles . Oil is a quart low on dipstick and there were 2 Oil spots on garage floor. Low oil light has not come on yet.
Anyone have similar issue.
Is SAE 0W20 always synthetic and did car come with synthetic,? I am out of town and trying to get answers to spouse

Wanted to provide quick update on the issue. Took car to dealer, cause of leak was, according to them, a front axle seal. Car was at dealer for nearly a week in order to get needed parts and fix leak. All appears well now.

 

[ricklack]

Wanted to provide quick update on the issue. Took car to dealer, cause of leak was, according to them, a front axle seal. Car was at dealer for nearly a week in order to get needed parts and fix leak. All appears well now.

That explains the spots on the floor, but not the engine oil level being low. After topping up the oil, has the level dropped at all on the stick? Perhaps the dealer simply did not fill the oil properly first change.

 

[PoManNox]

Interesting.. That oil should have been red ATF that being the case.

 

[jimmymac]

That explains the spots on the floor, but not the engine oil level being low. After topping up the oil, has the level dropped at all on the stick? Perhaps the dealer simply did not fill the oil properly first change.

I believe the oil was low since purchased. Had them do complete GM Factory Maintenance freely in 1st year after purchase. Oil level on dipstick is proper.

 

[jimmymac]

Interesting.. That oil should have been red ATF that being the case.

I agree and have explanation. When I got back home a few days after wife's discovery, li looked like grease on the floor from a zerk or fitting someplace. Service rep said coating on bottom of car used to ship vehicles can drop what appears to be greaselike in appearance. I don't believe it. Still think it was excess grease.

Apparently no tyranny fluid dipstick but only a checkport on the tranny under the car. To put tyranny fluid in car need a long funnel with flexible bottom. Can just barely get my hand in to unscrew cap at fill location. Wonderful! They put in 7 quarts of fluid during repair.