Rear main leaking at 10K miles!?!?!? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Cdubya69 · 05-05-2016, 10:34 AM

Good morning all, take a look at the below and let me know your thoughts.

A little more than a year ago, I drove up to George Matick Chevrolet and purchased a used '13 ZL1 convertible. At the time I purchased the car, it had 6315 miles on it. Now, what's different about this car is that it has had some extra work done to it. The name of the company that performed the work is Katech (http://katechengines.com). If you look around their website, you'll see that they're no "fly by night" organization. Specifically, take a look at the information on the following link: http://katechengines.com/about/history-2/

O.K, now back to my car. It has Katech's "Stage 4" kit installed in it (http://katechengines.com/performance...12-camaro-zl1/). I put 3500 miles on the car last year with zero issues. When I got it out of hibernation last week, the first thing that I did was change the oil and filter (5w-30 Valvoline fully synth *dexos certified* with AC Delco filter). After driving it for a week, I washed it on Thursday night. After chamoising it off, as I was pulling it back into the garage, I noticed a puddle on the driveway. I immediately got out the jack and jackstands and crawled underneath of it to find the source. I could not visibly see it coming from anywhere. Based on where it was "wet", I'm 99% positive that the leak it coming from the rear main seal. That has now been confirmed from the dealer. Of course, they won't cover it under warranty.

Anybody else know of rear mail seal issues? Does this make sense? I sure as heck don't want to have them replace the seal with the same one that it came with, so any recommendation on an aftermarket replacement?

ZL1-V · 05-05-2016, 10:44 AM

Have you e mailed or phoned anyone at Katch for their opinion?

eodtech72 · 05-05-2016, 12:27 PM

They didn't warranty the car for more than a year?

Cdubya69 · 05-05-2016, 01:31 PM

To paraphrase the Katech conversation:
"Our warranty is good for 12 mo./12k miles. Bring/ship it on up...we'll take a look at it."

The work was done in April '13...if *only* I had an unlimited budget.

TOO.BAD · 05-05-2016, 01:32 PM

Are you sure it's not coming from the oil filter? If you have 2 gaskets that could be the problem.

hawk02 · 05-05-2016, 01:47 PM

The leak could be caused by excessive crankcase pressure. From the description of the Katech stage 4 package, I bet your engine is making a fair amount of boost. The fix could be as simple as installing a crankcase breather like the one Jannetty sells http://www.jreperformanceparts.com/2...-breather.html to help relieve some of that pressure if indeed that's the cause.

Elite Engineering · 05-05-2016, 02:00 PM

I would agree it is most likely from crankcase pressure, but installing a vented breather will still allow pressure to always be present, (always takes pressure of a greater amount in the crankcase to allow pressure to vent) and that will be far from ideal. What you want is a complete system that always pulls suction/evacuation on the crankcase so no pressure can ever build.

Look at our E2 or E2-X systems with billet CSS (cleanside separator). They stop the oil ingestion that causes detonation, always pulls suction on crankcase providing a better ring seal and less blow-by, and retains emissions compliance where a vented breather is illegal in all 50 States for street use. Engine last longer, oil stays clean longer, and more power is made by pulling vacuum/suction on the crankcase at all times VS allowing pressure to first build and some to vent.

Let us know if you need more details. Also, once this system is installed, if your rear seal was no displaced and is only leaking, the leak should stop w/out having to replace the seal.

ZMEnow · 05-05-2016, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawk02

The leak could be caused by excessive crankcase pressure. From the description of the Katech stage 4 package, I bet your engine is making a fair amount of boost. The fix could be as simple as installing a crankcase breather like the one Jannetty sells http://www.jreperformanceparts.com/2...-breather.html to help relieve some of that pressure if indeed that's the cause.

+1 exactly why I run one..

DeSH · 05-05-2016, 04:59 PM

If that is the cause of the problem, then it would seem to be a flaw in Katech's Stage 4 package. A device to relieve crankcase pressure should be a standard part of the package.

jayno20 · 05-05-2016, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawk02

The leak could be caused by excessive crankcase pressure. From the description of the Katech stage 4 package, I bet your engine is making a fair amount of boost. The fix could be as simple as installing a crankcase breather like the one Jannetty sells http://www.jreperformanceparts.com/2...-breather.html to help relieve some of that pressure if indeed that's the cause.

I saw a thread similar to this about a year ago and that's why I bought one as well. I will be upping the boost to around 15psi and I didn't want any issues with the main seal. It is cheap insurance IMO.

wickedpsi · 05-05-2016, 07:56 PM

No leaks before your oil change. I would double check your oil filter for double gasket or improperly seated gasket.

DeSH · 05-05-2016, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedpsi

No leaks before your oil change. I would double check your oil filter for double gasket or improperly seated gasket.

True! Check the easy stuff first.

KaBoom1701 · 05-05-2016, 08:54 PM

Smittty · 05-05-2016, 10:22 PM

I had a similar problem with excessive crank case preasure, So I took the old catch can off and switched to a MM catch can system and problem solved.

05-05-2016, 10:34 AM	#1
Cdubya69 Drives: '13 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 20	Rear main leaking at 10K miles!?!?!? Good morning all, take a look at the below and let me know your thoughts. A little more than a year ago, I drove up to George Matick Chevrolet and purchased a used '13 ZL1 convertible. At the time I purchased the car, it had 6315 miles on it. Now, what's different about this car is that it has had some extra work done to it. The name of the company that performed the work is Katech (http://katechengines.com). If you look around their website, you'll see that they're no "fly by night" organization. Specifically, take a look at the information on the following link: http://katechengines.com/about/history-2/ O.K, now back to my car. It has Katech's "Stage 4" kit installed in it (http://katechengines.com/performance...12-camaro-zl1/). I put 3500 miles on the car last year with zero issues. When I got it out of hibernation last week, the first thing that I did was change the oil and filter (5w-30 Valvoline fully synth dexos certified with AC Delco filter). After driving it for a week, I washed it on Thursday night. After chamoising it off, as I was pulling it back into the garage, I noticed a puddle on the driveway. I immediately got out the jack and jackstands and crawled underneath of it to find the source. I could not visibly see it coming from anywhere. Based on where it was "wet", I'm 99% positive that the leak it coming from the rear main seal. That has now been confirmed from the dealer. Of course, they won't cover it under warranty. Anybody else know of rear mail seal issues? Does this make sense? I sure as heck don't want to have them replace the seal with the same one that it came with, so any recommendation on an aftermarket replacement?

05-05-2016, 01:32 PM	#5
TOO.BAD Drives: 2013 ZL1 M6 Convertible Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 260 View My Garage	Are you sure it's not coming from the oil filter? If you have 2 gaskets that could be the problem. __________________ Mild to Wild Switch, Roto Fab CAI, Big Gulp, Washer Relocation, Ported Throttle Body, Rough Idle Road Race Cam, Supporting Valve Train Upgrade, Dynatech Long Tube Headers Ceramic Coated and High Flow Converters, Injector Dynamics 1025 cc, 22.5%Overdrive Balancer Pulley, Fuel Pump Voltage Booster, Moroso Catch Can. Jannetty Installed and Tuned. 675 RWHP 630 RWTQ 11.325 1/4 Mile Time @ 124.53 MPH

05-05-2016, 01:47 PM	#6
hawk02 Coupe Newbie Drives: 2017 ZL1, 2021 Corvette Convertible Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 3,283 View My Garage	The leak could be caused by excessive crankcase pressure. From the description of the Katech stage 4 package, I bet your engine is making a fair amount of boost. The fix could be as simple as installing a crankcase breather like the one Jannetty sells http://www.jreperformanceparts.com/2...-breather.html to help relieve some of that pressure if indeed that's the cause. __________________

05-05-2016, 08:54 PM	#13
KaBoom1701 KaBoom1701 Drives: 13' ZL1 Red M6 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: I.E. SoCal (Yucaipa) Posts: 8,630	__________________ Mods: Roto-Fab Intake, WW Res. kit & Big Gulp Air Scoop, Elite Catch Can, ATI Super Damper & 18% OD Pulley, LF Idler pulley bracket, Metco CC breather, ID850 Injectors, Stainless Power Headers w/ ceramic coating, TR71X Spark Plugs, JMS Fuel Pump Booster, Bo White TB, Tuned by Ted @ Jannetty Racing, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Pfadt 1" Springs, Moreno Camber Plates, ZL1 Addons Splitter guard washers, Tow Hook kit & rock guards, Hurst Shifter Billet Plus 6 Speed Short Shifter, ZL1 DRL lighting harness, ZL1 Recaro Seats.

05-05-2016, 10:22 PM	#14
Smittty Drives: 2013 ZL1 Camaro 2000 SLP Camaro Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ruther Glen, VA Posts: 357	I had a similar problem with excessive crank case preasure, So I took the old catch can off and switched to a MM catch can system and problem solved. __________________ 2013 ZL1 748rwhp & 733 rwtq ( 93 tune )

05-05-2016, 10:44 AM	#2
ZL1-V Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,155	Have you e mailed or phoned anyone at Katch for their opinion?

05-05-2016, 12:27 PM	#3
eodtech72 EOD Drives: 2015 ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: VA Posts: 205	They didn't warranty the car for more than a year?

05-05-2016, 01:31 PM	#4
Cdubya69 Drives: '13 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 20	To paraphrase the Katech conversation: "Our warranty is good for 12 mo./12k miles. Bring/ship it on up...we'll take a look at it." The work was done in April '13...if only I had an unlimited budget.

05-05-2016, 02:00 PM	#7
Elite Engineering Drives: 2010 Camaro Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Denver Posts: 1,382	I would agree it is most likely from crankcase pressure, but installing a vented breather will still allow pressure to always be present, (always takes pressure of a greater amount in the crankcase to allow pressure to vent) and that will be far from ideal. What you want is a complete system that always pulls suction/evacuation on the crankcase so no pressure can ever build. Look at our E2 or E2-X systems with billet CSS (cleanside separator). They stop the oil ingestion that causes detonation, always pulls suction on crankcase providing a better ring seal and less blow-by, and retains emissions compliance where a vented breather is illegal in all 50 States for street use. Engine last longer, oil stays clean longer, and more power is made by pulling vacuum/suction on the crankcase at all times VS allowing pressure to first build and some to vent. Let us know if you need more details. Also, once this system is installed, if your rear seal was no displaced and is only leaking, the leak should stop w/out having to replace the seal.

05-05-2016, 04:59 PM	#9
DeSH Drives: 2013 ZL1 A6 #4801 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Pensacola, Florida Posts: 241	If that is the cause of the problem, then it would seem to be a flaw in Katech's Stage 4 package. A device to relieve crankcase pressure should be a standard part of the package.

05-05-2016, 07:56 PM	#11
wickedpsi Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Tustin, CA Posts: 237	No leaks before your oil change. I would double check your oil filter for double gasket or improperly seated gasket.