1996 - 1998 Chevy Tahoe Suburban Common Oil Leak FIX. Oil Cooler Lines Replaced HOW TO

I walk you through the replacement of oil cooler lines and connectors on a 1998 Chevy Tahoe. This is a major oil leak that is commonly mistaken for a rear main seal problem. Vortec 5.7 liter 350 ci.
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If you would like to DELETE your oil cooler lines and just use a normal twist on filter, you can buy the adapter in the amazon link below. If you go this route YOU WILL NEED TO SWITCH TO A SHORTER FILTER!!!! That filter is also linked below. Amazon will try to tell you that this filter does not fit your truck. Trust me. This is the right one.
Oil cooler line delete kit: amzn.to/2PyEBP6
Shorter oil filter needed: amzn.to/2IagkuK

[@PacoOtis]

Dude! We definitely owe you a beer! Your instruction is excellent and this is from a retired instructor person! We'll view some more of your videos!

[@tymcfadden8496]

exactly what I needed bro, thanks a ton. my 92 gmc suburban 1500 has been leaving big oil spots, and I finally figured out where the leak and bought a pair of line today from o'riley auto parts for 25.99 upper and 16.99 lower, and now thanks to your great vid I can get out there and change em myself with confidence. thanks man.

[@twizz5727]

Finally! A great video w/o any cutesy crap!! Thanks for the fully comprehensive explanation Sir. Well done and very helpful.

[@NWPencrawler]

Thanks for the vid sir! Just picked up a 97 Yukon and it's got all the leaks you mentioned. I appreciate you taking the time to record this and point everything out. I'll probably go with the delete kit later and appreciate the links.

[@paulp1123]

When kylo ren teaches you too change the oil cooler lines lol

[@gabe_hernandez7024]

Lmao just noticed

[@mikenagy3728]

This is not just a common problem it is a reoccurring one. My solution is to get rid of the oil cooler altogether by blocking the lines at the filter. There is a block-off plate available so you just take your oil lines off and put it in their pace Take the oil lines out and toss em in the garbage. Presto, no more leaks.

[@KayserEin]

this is a really good video. You put all this chore out there so easy to understand; you could easily do another.

[@MrDrEwEvAnS]

Thanks for the video, I've watched a lot trying to see the quick connection. Yours was the only one that showed where and how to pop the keeper out.

[@WrenchSense]

Thanks for watching!

[@JLew6]

Great content, very thorough and informative. Appreciate it man!

[@MrEviltalon]

My Express has the same problem right now. Thanks for the video!

[@johnford8369]

Great video, I too thought my main seal was leaking on my '96, gotta check out my lines...

[@4x4chevyrob]

Thanks for the video dude only thing i didn know was how to get the lil steel clip in and out great video

[@WrenchSense]

No problem! Thanks for the comment!

[@flexer83]

am having same issue at the moment. thanks for the vid bro.

[@WrenchSense]

You bet. Thanks for the comment!

[@mattmo91]

Thank you! Very helpful video

[@rraceyllacey]

Excellent !! If i understand what you are saying about the oil 'blowing' everywhere.....that would explain why when I park after ive been driving, the pavement looks like ive got a 1000 little oil leaks from placed that it could not possibly be leaking, right?

[@charliesmith2285]

This video is great! Very detailed and step by step. Thank you, sir! I’ve never seen such a shitty camera with such great camera work.

[@ryanp.8387]

Thank you!!! I have a ton of oil in that same area, could never figure out why.

[@WrenchSense]

Glad to help!! Thank you for watching!

[@chaytonbrown3215]

Super helpful. Thank you.

[@ianwilds3139]

I chose to eliminate these lines on my '97 Silverado after I was able to locate oil filter adapter off a '96 corvette w/o factory cooler and picked up a couple 5/8"x18x1" long allen head plugs at my local fastenal store for heat exchanger ports. This vertical adapter accepts the same filter (pf52) and is offset toward the pan so it clears front drive shaft. It also raised my oil pressure a bit. Edit: Heat exchanger ports on radiator are M20x1.5 not 5/8"x18 thread. Fastenal had them in stock also.

[@WrenchSense]

Very cool. Thanks for the post!

[@pedrosoriano9445]

Thank you for the video

[@KODE13TK]

just did this to my 1999 5.7 vortec/350....same issue,,,blowback onto my Y pipe...Stinky as hell...Less than 90 min ... great vid....AND...Use ACDelco/GM.... DOOMANs Blow Out....

[@pablovegas4567]

Hi there, great video. I saw on your description that there is an oil lines delete adapter. Question, once you install this delete adapter, what do you do with the oil cooler lines? can you just leave them, or do you have to remove them? thank you and keep the videos coming.

[@scout4locations]

Liked and subscribed. This video confirmed what I suspected. I just replaced my radiator, so I had a feeling my leak was related. My neighbor, who is a mechanic, swore up and down that there is not an oil cooler line going to my radiator. I can't wait to show him this video.

[@MG-hb7mt]

Great video my man!👍

[@WrenchSense]

Thanks! Hope it helped you out. Thanks for the comment!

[@MG-hb7mt]

@@WrenchSense It did! And no problem. Salute

[@mmvmx]

Beauty!! Thanks so much

[@uadean34]

Thanks. Im having this issue. But i never knew Dane Cook did how to videos on youtube. Thats awesome.... jk, but you sound just like him

[@rainmakr9]

We're missing several f-bombs here and there...

[@snowmama9030]

Hey, thanks for sharing! I know what to look for . My 97 Silverado has developed an oil leak. Can I use brake cleaner to safely clean up around the oil pan and backside of the engine?

[@manuelhernandez155]

Thanks bro for the video

[@WrenchSense]

You bet! Thanks for the comment!

[@BodyWeakDotNet]

Thank you for this video....

[@WrenchSense]

No problem! Thanks for the comment!

[@Nonthanburi2]

Thanks for the video, I just subscribed! I am seeing a leak coming from near the rear of the engine compartment. Is there is a cooler line delete option for my truck? I need to replace my radiator too, as it is leaking just under the upper hose (I did an emergency repair with JB WELD while camping, it still leaks, but just a slight dribble now). My truck is a 1996 Chevy 3500 7.4L with 73,000 miles, an ambulance converted to a camper. When I get the new radiator, can I just use the cooler line delete option upon installation? So there are two lines on both sides of my radiator. I want to replace the lines at the same time as the install. Any advice and recommendation on what is a high quality radiator to buy? Thank you!

[@anthonylopez9688]

Thanks vary helpful

[@fr33ourminds]

This matches up perfectly with 1994 Silverado.

[@WrenchSense]

Awesome! Thank you for commenting!

[@luisbarrueta658]

Thank you

[@edwinsmith5115]

Big help. Thanks.

[@WrenchSense]

You're welcome!

[@justinfincher2385]

Thank you thank you thank you thank you

[@44warden]

Thanks bro!

[@WrenchSense]

You bet! Glad to help.

[@phil-mq2rm]

something I've noticed and I'm kind of confused on this. if you're looking at the front of the truck this truck or my truck I got the same exact truck. on the left side of the truck there is some sort of Cooler? I thought it was the transmission cooler but the transmission lines go into the right side of the radiator if you're looking at the truck. and I thought it was the engine oil cooler but the engine oil lines go into the left side of the truck if you're looking at it. so my question is what is that cooler for? it's not just my truck that has it. I've seen a lot of bone stock GMC 1500 of the same year that have the same cooler in the exact same spot.

[@mikerob6232]

Thanks a lot....you are appreciate it

[@WrenchSense]

You bet! Thanks for watching!

[@ricks722]

Good video, laser pointer might help ya point stuff out. My issue I believe is a bad line within the radiator as I have oil in the coolant

[@WrenchSense]

Great suggestion. I will try that. Thanks for watching!

[@MrLowriderlicoln1977]

I just looked at mine and it has oil on the back of the pan. But it's not leaking when it sits only when it runs so is that what it does

[@kgbreviews35]

Assuming that this is a gmt400 suv. Would this apply to the Silverado as well?

[@ghills6845]

Can you please confirm something...the top radiator line goes to the top fitting on the filter adapter, and the bottom radiator line goes to the bottom fitting on the filter adapter. In other words, top to top and bottom to bottom. Correct?

[@mattdloughy5369]

im having this problem now but with coolant coming from same area

[@MrBowNaxe]

Thanks for the video... I had that same problem on my Suburban and after the second set of lines I removed them completely. I don't tow anything heavy anymore with it and got tired of the leaks. I installed the adapter in the oil sump and got rid of that housing that turns the filter sideways. No my filter is straight up and down with a standard filter.

[@ianwilds3139]

@MrBowNaxe..what adapter allowed you to do that and still be clear of the front drive shaft?

[@WrenchSense]

The adapter and filter needed are linked in the video description. Thanks for watching!

[@FloridaCoastalGuy]

THIS WAS MY PROBLEM: It was my OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT to my Gauges, that was where the oil was pumping out/pouring out, it is located high up on the rear of the 2000 Tahoe Z-71 350ci 5.7L Vortec engine behind/under the distributor area, the oil pumped/flowed through the oil pressure sending unit freely, approximately 1/2 quart every mile. The oil came out where the electrical connection plugged into the sending unit, straight through the entire sending unit onto the wires and out "under full oil pump pressure" The pumped out oil dripped away from the rear of the engine onto the bell-housing halfway down, (the top rear of engine had NO oil on it) the fresh pumped oil then drained down onto the lower bell-housing to the driver's side bell-housing/engine lower two bolts which I thought was the rear main seal or the oil cooler was leaking and onto the ground. Idling in Park or going down the road, the fresh oil could be seen dripping/pouring out from under the engine area, it would leave a very noticeable oil line/heavy-heavy drip on the pavement. IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE OIL WAS COMING FROM, I almost took apart the Oil Cooler and replaced the large rubber gasket and replacing the lines, however, I didn’t see any oil coming directly from the Oil Cooler or any of the Oil Cooler lines. I purchased this faulty replacement oil pressure sending unit to my gauges on eBay for $35.00 (it came from China from a U.S. seller with good feedback) It only last for 200 miles before the oil pumped through it and out! I replaced the oil pressure sending unit to my gauges with one from NAPA (Part no. OP6662) Purchase a special Oil Pressure Switch Socket from O'Reilly Auto Parts or online. Lisle part # 13250 for $10.99 and you can change it in 5 minutes or less. If your vehicle is just dripping a spot or two under the engine area each time you park it, you have a different oil leak/oil drip problem than I had. It’s probably the oil cooler gasket or the oil cooler lines that is leaking as this video is talking about.

[@loganator78r]

Did your oil gauge still work even tho it was leaking out? Just curious because i think im having a similar issue. Already did the lines and adapter gasket kit. Hopefully its the sensor and not the rear main seal.

[@williamknutson8701]

Excellent. Mine is doing the same thing

[@FloridaCoastalGuy]

I heard you say in the video that 1998 was the last year of the 5.7L Vortec Engine. 1999 Tahoe has a 350ci / 5.7L Vortec Engine and so does a 2000 Tahoe Z-71 350ci / 5.7L Vortec Engine (Classic Old Body Style) (Built in 02/2000) However, the (NEW Body Style) 2000 Tahoe has a 5.3 L Engine.

[@BodyWeakDotNet]

FloridaCoastalGuy Right My 2000 Z71 Tahoe Has a Vortex Motor....the last yr was 2000 for that engine & body style....it changed to a 5.3 in 2001 and a shorter rounder body..

[@FloridaCoastalGuy]

In April 2000, the new body style Tahoe debuted with the 5.3L. with the round corners. GM produced both body styles in 2000. My build date was 02/2000 for my 2000 old body style Tahoe with the 5.7L 350ci Vortec L-31 engine. When buying parts; I have to explain that my 2000 Tahoe Z-71 has a 5.7L engine because Auto Parts Stores list the 5.3L for the 2000 new body style as well.

[@lorenzovalenzuela9779]

FloridaCoastalGuy power steering hose

[@HossStyle1]

Mines is a 1999 tahoe 5.7L Vortech. My oil cooler line doesn't go to the filter housing though. Working on it now.

[@tommyconner1467]

Yes the 5.7 vortech didn't go anywhere until 2005

[@myleslopez8508]

Would this cause smoke as well

[@Devo1987]

I had some my engine rebuilt. The the people that did th rebuild removed my oil cooler line and adapter. I have reorder the parts an reinstalling yea reinstalling. Its there for reason :-)

[@allevi5158]

Did both lines 2 years ago on my 97 Yukon w/166k mi - my wrencher charged $350, parts and labor- 2.5 hrs labor- I feel reasonable charge for the nasty job

[@paulhead]

So this is for the 454 also right?

[@Olds_Gold]

Last year for vortec was 1999. Some GMC had them until 2002

[@WrenchSense]

Thanks for the info!

[@kirkm4988]

Thanks

[@WrenchSense]

Right on. Glad to help.

[@tahoeboy8658]

I have a brand new 383 stroker from GM in my 99 tahoe and its been leaking since installed. Theirs like 3 spots wear its leaking. 1 seems to be over the starts, the other drips from somewhere by the oil filter. Ill replace that hose and report back if it fixed the problem.

[@JeffAMay]

How much better does the 383 run than the stock 350 and how much was the fuel mileage reduced?

[@tnbass2833]

I'm going to do mine in a week or so. I'm upgrading to AN lines

[@WrenchSense]

Right on. Thanks for the comment!

[@gustavoramirez5624]

Is motor oil or transmission .?

[@natecole2807]

so I'm having a hell of a time with the clips at the connector. do I put this on or in before i insert the tube in the "quick connect"?

[@ronbosley5932]

Nate Cole I had the same problem, so I put on one part of the clip into the groove namely one of the hooked ends , then I used a needle nosed plier and grabbed the other hooked end hanging in the breeze and placed it into the groove. Next I cleaned up the area and slid the plastic retainer back over the clip. If you are missing thar retainer you can use in a pinch a plastic zip ratchet tie that covers the clip completely and zip it tight and trim the excess off. The needle pliers are the trick as your fingers are just too stubby to push the clip in.

[@ronbosley5932]

Forgot to add that you do the clip after the tube is pushed into the connector.

[@royalfamilymedia8608]

My under carriage looks exactly like this I was thinking rear main seal I’m gonna degrees everything today and work in it tomorrow

[@rodneyhendricks2412]

How do you get it out the oil filter assembly

[@WrenchSense]

The video shows the little spring clips and how to remove them. Thanks for the question!

[@jacobarthur3343]

hey man, i have a 97 tahoe, and im having a leak from this area as well. i replaced the cooler lines, didnt fix it. then i replaced the housing gasket.. didnt fix it. so then i replaced the whole housing adapter, and that didnt fix it either. it appears to be leaking from one of the 2 bolts holding the adapter in place. any thoughts?

[@redhaylo909]

Yeah, the filter adapter bolts actually have a sealing washer/Gasket that should be replaced. You can find the bolt kit from an online GM dealer or Ebay just make sure you get BOTH bolts. They sell them in a kit with both and also individually.

[@ShelbySmallFry]

@@redhaylo909 do you know part number or bolt size I lost mine when I was rebuilding engine and am having a leak from one of the bolt locations (i just grabbed and guessed what bolts I had laying around)

[@itsthehomieAB]

I’m having a bad oil leak under the front passenger side of my 95 tahoe any ideal of what it can be. I also see the oil above the tire Underneath the car on the left and right side but oil only on the right side of the ground

[@WrenchSense]

What you are describing sounds like the front axle shaft seals are leaking. Does the oil smell very strong like gear lube?

[@itsthehomieAB]

Wrench Sense ahhhh thanx! I’ll google that and see what it means. And no, I don’t smell anything. Just bought the car 2 weeks ago and notice puddles this week super confused.

[@itsthehomieAB]

Wrench Sense does the axle shaft anything to do with the transmission? The guy that sold it to me said he had just had the transmission replaced

[@WrenchSense]

It is not likely that an oil leak near the front of the vehicle has anything to do with a transmission replacement. Thanks for the comment! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

[@itsthehomieAB]

Wrench Sense fasure I posted a video on my page,check it out if you can thank you!

[@lukewarmwater6412]

I lost so many of the little spring clip keepers out of those connectors before I bought the little round tool that makes those come right apart without removing it that I will never recommend removing them again, buy the tool you will wonder why you didn't get one sooner!

[@TimeToNas]

Would you happen to have a link to this tool? Sounds pretty slick

[@nsane0772]

i have a 1993 chevy suburban with a 5.7 liter i wached your video and i have a leak right at same place i have never done this befor what parts do i need thanks

[@williamknutson8701]

I tried mobile full synthetic in my Tahoe... bad idea, started leaking oil. Should have stayed with conventional.

[@sprintcoding7358]

You can always switch back and leak should stop

[@samyza2005]

My leak is coming from the under the motor

[@tomservo5347]

I replaced those damned things 2 years ago on my '98 Blazer. Had to jack the 4.3l up just to gain enough space to pull the rear oil cooler line mount base through. And now the cheap aftermarket lines are starting to seep again. It's just a bad design with all of those lines running to and fro, back to front of motor. I used to think Chevy had some common sense but not after my first Vortec. The regular ones were SO much easier to work on.

[@WrenchSense]

Read the video description for a cooler line delete kit. Thanks for commenting!

[@tomservo5347]

@@WrenchSense Delete kit huh? I can understand if I was pulling something all the time but it's just for commuting.

[@WrenchSense]

@@tomservo5347 I installed a delete kit on this same model five plus years ago. My friend bought the truck and it is still doing just fine.

[@joetodd5963]

I have a 2000 k3500 with a vortex 350

[@robertaustin1945]

Check your oil cooler lines more often on these trucks mine only lasted 25 thousand miles and went bad

[@jayw4777]

Hate to be that guy but 99 suburban (last of that body style) still has that vortec 350. I appreciate your video tho

[@WrenchSense]

Yeah, I have been told that a few times here. My bad. Thanks for watching and thanks for the comment. Glad to help when I can.

[@jayw4777]

@@WrenchSense I really do appreciate your time and knowledge tho, as I was going to be going into this blind on Saturday. Be good and be safe 🤟

[@WrenchSense]

@@jayw4777 Not a problem and you as well. We just had the shut-down here in Minnesota yesterday but I have been deemed "necessary" so at least I can count on a regular paycheck for now. Thanks again!

[@WrenchSense]

@@jayw4777 By the way, there is a cooler line delete option for your truck. I have used it myself and have had no problems. Links for those parts are in the video description. Super easy. Also if you take a look through my channel there are a couple more videos on your particular model truck that you might find useful.

[@jayw4777]

@@WrenchSense Unfortunately I'm in Albany area of ny and I'm also deemed essential, kind of part of my rush to get my suburban top notch. Only hold up at this point is this damn oil leak now, bought the lines today.

[@_jstatic]

Driving on wet roads with oil on tires not good.

[@nicholassmerk]

What stinks is that the replacement Dorman parts don't have good crimps and leak really soon.

[@mycofairbanks3321]

Thanks for that Nicholas. Have you found a better replacement?

[@nicholassmerk]

Michael Fairbanks No, they are the only ones that make them. I mean to grind off the crimps, replace the hydraulic hose and double clamp one to see if it works better. Considering that you can clamp transmission lines, I wonder if this would be similar?

[@nicholassmerk]

MFSVH I'll have to check them out. I was just going to jimmy-rig the aftermarket ones with new hoses.

[@freetoride003]

Incorrect sir the made the vortec 350 up till 2002. Used I. Escalades and other gm vehicles

[@patrickjohnson7801]

Sorry spoiler alert stop if you're lines are good what you can do is fine the KZbin video of a guy who cuts off the hose and slips a flair nut on the line and Flair's the pipe and install a fitting into the adapter. Done and end of the problem for good I have 307,000 And I have been through this a few times.

[@WrenchSense]

Hi. If you read under the video there is actually a listing for the parts you need to completely delete the adapter at the motor and use a spin on filter. The link takes you to Amazon. Thanks for the comment!

[@patrickjohnson7801]

@@WrenchSense I didn't want to remove the cooler, and those quick connectors from the factory are a temporary fix. I had to go to a hardware store and get half inch adapters to go from pipe thread to flair ends and flar nuts and buy a flair tool ,

[@rodneyhendricks2412]

It's really no room to work

[@WrenchSense]

Yeah, it's pretty tight in there. It's doable. Just takes time.

[@Olds_Gold]

99 was last year of the 5.7 vortec

[@FloridaCoastalGuy]

Attn: Paul Langeslay - NO, the Chevrolet 5.7L / 350 Vortec was produced from 1996 through 2002. Check it out or Google it before you type an incorrect statement! You are wrong!

[@Olds_Gold]

FloridaCoastalGuy L31 5.7l vortec 1996-2000. I think somebody needs to open a book for themselves and stop looking on the internet. I've rebuilt six of them in the last year. Don't tell me

[@Olds_Gold]

5.3l vortec til 2002.

[@Olds_Gold]

My bad 1996-99 is what I meant to type for the L31 5.7 vortec not 96-2000

[@FloridaCoastalGuy]

Paul Langeslay - Just because you have never seen a 2000, 2001 or a 2002 L-31 5.7L 350 cubic inch Vortec engine doesn't mean it was not produced by General Motors from 1996 through 2002. I have a 2000 Z-71 Tahoe (Old body style) with an L-31 350ci 5.7L Vortec engine from the factory, it looks just like a 1996-1999 Tahoe, but it has a 5.7L L-31 350ci Vortec The 2000 GM trucks did NOT have the 350ci 5.7L Vortec engine, however, the 2000 Suburban, 2000 Tahoe and 2000 Cadillac Esclade all still had the 5.7L 350ci L-31 Vortec engine. These were all produced into the Spring of 2000. The built date on my 2000 Z-71 5.7L Vortec Tahoe is 02/2000. The 2000 new body style Tahoe has a 5.3L engine. And I just told you...

[@AFatherToTheFatherless]

Whatever device your wife "allows" you to use? Oh man did you actually say that out loud... Use whatever you want and if she doesn't like it, kick her out

[@mathiggins4264]

Thank you