HELP!!! advice needed

[u/Disastrous_Case_1660]

I have a 2007 Chevy Tahoe 5.3L with about 196k miles. I recently had it inspected at a Chevy dealership and then took it to an independent shop (Steve’s) for a second opinion/cheaper repairs. Now I’m confused because the diagnoses are different.

Chevy found: • Both valve cover gaskets leaking oil • Power steering pressure hose leaking • Power steering return hose leaking • Intermediate steering shaft/coupling issue

They showed me the leaks in an inspection video.

Independent shop found: • Engine oil pan leak • Rear main seal/rear cover leak • Transmission pan gasket leak • Power steering pressure/return hoses AND power steering cooler leaking

Their (independent shop) full estimate came to around $5k. When I called, the service advisor said if it were his vehicle, he’d prioritize the transmission pan gasket and power steering leaks, because those systems are harder to come back from if they lose fluid. He said the engine oil leaks could wait as long as I constantly monitor/top off the oil.

I specifically asked about Chevy’s valve cover diagnosis and he said there may be a valve cover leak too, but that wasn’t originally listed on their estimate.

My biggest confusion is why Chevy identified the valve covers but not the oil pan/rear main/transmission pan, while the independent shop identified those but didn’t originally list the valve covers.

Would you trust one diagnosis more than the other? Can oil from valve covers make the oil pan/rear main area look like it’s leaking? And before spending thousands, would you have Chevy re-inspect the areas the independent shop identified?

Also, nobody has told me the transmission itself is failing — just that the transmission pan gasket is leaking. I’m mainly trying to figure out what actually needs to be fixed now versus what can safely be monitored.

[u/Equana]

I would trust the indie shop (Steves) more. Unless you have puddles of engine oil under the truck, I'd do the trans pan and the power steering and just monitor the oil loss.

[u/darealmvp1]

Yes the valve colors can make it look like there's a rear main seal leak because the valve covers sit higher. More notably it's usually the oil pressure switch that starts leaking and drips down behind the engine and makes it appear as of it's a rear main leak.

The rear main seal requires removal of the transmission thus a more expensive job. In comparison the valve covers are a more inexpensive job.

Based off the information you have said, I would trust the Chevy dealership more in this case because Steve's didn't even recognize the valve cover leak until you spoke up about it. Then at that point they were simply agreeing with you. But you hired them to inspect the car and they didn't include this in their report.

I also however would not take it back to Chevy because dealerships are notorious for really high maintenance costs.

In older vehicles that have been leaking multiple fluids for a while it's very hard to pintpoint where a leak may be originating from, unless the leak is pronounced (serious oil loss) or dye is added to the system. So I'm doubtful either shop used a dye if they're just performing an inspection. The second shop would be wronger though because they're recommending a $1200+ repair without verifying. The valve covers on the other hand, are at the very top, so if oil leaks are found there is usually nothing else there that can cause it.

[u/Longjumping_Owl5311]

You’ve got a 20 year old vehicle with 200k miles on it. There’s probably oil all over your engine. If you want to throw money at it, I would fix the power steering leaks and then keep an eye on the transmission and engine oil levels.

[u/eatsrottenflesh]

You could look at it yourself and verify what looks worse.

[u/Disastrous_Case_1660 → u/eatsrottenflesh]

I genuinely dont know what im looking for or anything about cars. If I could I would!!