Rear Main Seal

[ddetloff]

Crap! I was all set for the first oil change at 2771 miles and found a leak at my rear main seal. Not bad yet. But not too happy about it. I had a Saturn Vue that I got rid of because of a serious problems with transmission leaks. Hopefully, this isn't the beginning of problems with the Sonic. So far, I've been real happy with it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Eric Smit]

zoinks!


-Eric Smit

 

[Machine]

some initial seapage from main engine (moving) seals is normal. clean it off, it its the same or worse on the next oil change, then bring it in for service.

 

[ddetloff]

some initial seapage from main engine (moving) seals is normal. clean it off, it its the same or worse on the next oil change, then bring it in for service.

Thanks for your feedback, but it was a little more serious than what you suggested. The car has been at the dealer since the day after I noticed the fluid leakage. The leakage was from the flywheel attachment to the crankshaft. GM Engineering was notified by the dealer and GM requested the crankshaft, flywheel and fasteners so they can be studied. My engine will have these replaced with new components. Everything has been received by the dealer except the fasteners, so it will be next week before I receive my Sonic.

BTW, My engine building experience goes back over forty years when I was building my 1965 Triumph Bonneville for drag racing on Woodward Ave.

I spent several years at the GM Tech Center and Ford Engineering and was involved in several engine programs. The earlier years were as a toolmaker and later as a designer.

The leakage on my engine was more than just a little on the surfaces of the engine and transmission and could only be seen by getting under the car. Since crawling under the car every day wasn't very practical, the problem was not something that I was going to ignore until the next oil change.

Hopefully, the problem with my 1.4L was unique and will not become a problem with more of the 1.4L engines.

 

[AxelRipper]

Wow, sorry to hear that. Nice to know that they're replacing everything hassle free. Its the first I've heard of one of them leaking. I'd be willing to guess its a manufacturing defect somewhere.

 

[ddetloff]

Wow, sorry to hear that. Nice to know that they're replacing everything hassle free. Its the first I've heard of one of them leaking. I'd be willing to guess its a manufacturing defect somewhere.

Yeah, that's why GM Engineering wants all the parts to study. I just spoke with the dealer and my engine is being put back together this afternoon. I'll get the car back next week.

The dealer is doing a real good job taking care of everything. They gave me a brand new Cruze with the 1.4L and automatic. It's the first time I drove a Cruze and really like it, but miss my Sonic. I'm impressed with the mileage the Cruze is getting. It seems to be as good or very close to what I get with the Sonic. The Dealer is going to crap when I return it next week and see how many miles I have put on it.

 

[runtz52]

definitely sounds like a manufacturing defect, glad its being handled.

 

[RIZNOSS]

bet someone ran the flywheel keyway over your seal

Happens to be the #1 cause in the past, and I was certain that on new lines there were foolproof methods to eliminate this possibility. Well, leave it to a union member to be unfoolproof. Sorry if anyone is one, but these things just happen.

If its not that, then the crank lathe cutting tool maybe needed to be changed a couple crankshafs earlier from the chuck.... Now I have to go and check mine..)

 

[ddetloff]

Well, I got my Sonic back from the dealer yesterday. Like I mentioned earlier, the crankshaft along with a long list of related parts were replaced and all of the parts taken from my engine were sent to GM Engineering for study. I have the OnStar app on my iPhone, so Thursday evening after I knew my car was finished, I updated the app and noticed the left rear tire was down to 27psi. I told the service department about it Friday morning when I went to pick up the car. You couldn't tell the tire was that low by looking at it, but when it was given a closer look, a nail was found. I guess the mechanic picked it up when he took my car out for a test drive. No problem, the dealer had a new tire delivered from a nearby warehouse, installed it and I was on my way. I'm very satisfied with how the dealer took care of everything. It sure is nice to have my Sonic back. To celebrate, I put a full tank of 93 octane Sunoco in it and took a nice long drive.

BTW: For anyone in the Detroit area, the dealer is Buff Whelan Chevy in Sterling Heights.

 

[laborsmith]

RIZZNOS writes, "Well, leave it to a union member to be unfoolproof. Sorry if anyone is one, but these things just happen." Uh, no longer a member as I am retired, but a long time union activist, officer and grievance steward. I usually do not take the bait, but the off hand way you approached this has helped induce my attitude toward people who comment without understanding. I have successfully represented members whose attitude you reflect and they maintain to this day no change so I do not expect any understanding from you and suspect you will return my compliment.

I know Sonic will want this link posted, so here it is: http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/t695/

Laborsmith

 

[laborsmith]

I have bought several cars from Buff Whelan and would have got my Sonic from them until the new car sales manager told me I knew nothing about ordering a new car which lead me to relinquish my order and go to another dealer. For the record if I had taken delivery, the Sonic would have been my fourth ordered vehicle from Buff Whelan.

I wonder if Mr. Studebaker is still there?


Laborsmith

 

[Ridethesky84]

Def sorry to hear that happened. At least they are helping you the best way they can that is nice to hear.

 

[ddetloff]

I have bought several cars from Buff Whelan and would have got my Sonic from them until the new car sales manager told me I knew nothing about ordering a new car which lead me to relinquish my order and go to another dealer. For the record if I had taken delivery, the Sonic would have been my fourth ordered vehicle from Buff Whelan.

I wonder if Mr. Studebaker is still there?


Laborsmith

Tom Bechtell is the sales manager. I bought the Sonic from Stephanie Nelson who handles internet sales. She's great doing business with. This is the first vehicle I purchased from Buff Whelen. They aren't the closest dealer for me, but Stephanie contacted me soon after I started searching dealer inventories for a turbo Sonic and answered all my questions. I wasn't very happy when the engine problem happened only two months after getting the Sonic, but everyone I dealt with at the dealership did a great job. I'm one of the older members on this forum and have been driving since 1965. Over the years I have lost track of how many vehicles I have owned and have dealt with all types of dealerships, good and bad. The bad ones heard about it when I felt they screwed up. When I have an experience with a good one, I like to let people know about it. I'm sure I will be doing business with Buff Whelan again in the future.

On their website under Bill Studebaker's photo is the following note.

Bill Studebaker
Loyal to Buff Whelan Chevrolet Inc.
and its customers for 34 years
We'll always miss you

 

[laborsmith]

That is sad news. Bill Studebaker was one of my favorite people there.

I agree that Buff Whelan is a good place to do business and except for that last day I was in their building, I would have nothing negative to say. To show what a pain I can be when following an order, John Weber who does their ordering knows me by name. Before GMConnects I would follow an order by going to the dealer, so he got quite used to seeing me.

Glad to hear your good experience. The service staff are also quite helpful as you are discovering.

Laborsmith