Ok, for starters, I have used the search function and read all about all those dipstick problems, where they pop out on the 2.0's due to an intake gasket problem or whatever...and I've only read about this happening to the 2.0 LSJ.

And it all started while I was installing my new projector headlights...noticed an oil spot on the driveway when I was crouched down eyeing for good fit with the new headbeams.

I have an '08 Sport (2.4 VVT) with about 1450 miles on it, and the dipstick was in place and not noticably oily when I checked under the hood, although the plastic engine cover nearby had a splash of what appeared to be oil on it (later realized this was most likely because - duh - i had checked the oil level to see how low it had gotten..

I was also entertaining the possibility of the oil filter cap being F-ed up...since most of the oil seemed to be congregating around that region (and trickling downwards after that, all over everything beneath it.) But the filtercap hasn't been touched since the factory, I would presume, being that it's a brand new car still on it's first oil filter.

I go to the dealership tomorrow (hopefully, and most likely. I've only had the car 4 weeks this Thursday, and the Chevy Dealership Satisfaction survey currently nests comfortably on my desk, only partially filled out awaiting my satisfaction of promt and efficient completion of this diagnosis\repair.) So no official word on exact problem or repair yet.

But this is what I discovered myself a few minutes ago. (i originally noticed the oil spot about 10 hours ago, but had to get to work shortly thereafter) There's almost no "spray" that you would associate with something like the dipstick popping out under pressure, and oil gushing out. Nor is there any noticable oil on or immediately around the dipstick itself. So, to me at least, this possibility was the least likely. There's also no spparent seepage from any seals I could see, so that possibility is null and void as well. And, at first glance, I really couldn't see a damn thing wrong with the oil cap...the oil on it seemed to be only on the engine-facing side of the cap, and the mess started on the top, not around any seal. So, although slightly worried about the possibility of creating more of a mess\problem, I started the car up and took another look, to see if I could see anything happen. At first, I didn't notice anything...but aha! Found something. A slow beading of oil eventually growing into a small stream seeped through what I imagine to be the tiniest pinhole in the side of the hexagonal topside of the filter cap. Odd, considering once again, that this part of the car hasn't been touched since first oiled up and shipped out, to the best of my knowledge...and considering the modest 1400 or so miles on the vehicle. I can't imagine that slow of a seepage caused that much of a mess just today, but yesterday (Sunday) i did drive all the way from Central NJ to just past Hershey PA, and back again...and I would imagine that under any accelerating conditions, the seepage would be greater due to increased oil pressures\flow, and built up heat thinning the oil allowing it to flow more freely through the pinhole. Never noticed any smoking or performance problems with the car though, just that black wetspot on the driveway, and then oil all over the tranny\lower engine.


So...just out of curiosity, ever happen to anyone else? Or any ideas of what else may be wrong to have caused such an odd problem?

 

Probably a manufacture defect in the cap, should be an easy fix. I would check your oil levels to be safe.

 

yeah, I did already...it's about a qt or two low. it's 3:30 am, already set an alarm for 7:30am to wake me to call the dealership to let them know I'm on-the-way.

New cars are such a pain in the ass.

Actually...ALL cars are such a pain in the ass. What a love-hate relationship I have with them.

 

hmm interesting and as far as i know new prob havent heard of it before make sure they clean you engine back to new like you paid for... a little dust and wow what a mess get em to throw in a free synthetic oil change to, theyll do it no prob

possibly 2 qts low so you had what 2.5-3 qts left on a long drive on a new engine ohh wow ide be so pissed ide be demanding a new car at the least make them take note of it for warranty purpose later on in case of engine damage but i doubt anything happened