Shifted Into Reverse While Driving 50mph

Oooooh Jeez! I let my dumba$$ friend borrow my 88 'burban, and he accidentally shifted it into reverse while getting off the freeway at 50mph (auto trans). The back wheels locked up and the truck stalled, however once he got it started again, its running and shifting fine (SO FAR). I noticed tonight it now has a profuse oil leak that wasnt there before. Should I be worried, or check for anything obvious? Im sure that only time will tell on this one. Thanks again in advance guys.

I was at the GM Desert Proving Grounds once and they have a demo they show their guests-- It consist of several things - one I remember is the suburban-- they bring it out on pavement- and with the accelerator pinned to the floorboard they will shift every 5 seconds from reverse to drive and drive to reverse 10 times- without letting up on the accelerator-- tires smoking they claim they can do this seven or eight times before they need to change/check the tranny--- so tell your buddy your tranny has about 69 lives left.....I know I was amazed--- I used to do this to Dad's 67 Caprice 396-- but I would let off the gas inbetween shifts......

If you got a bad oil leak you need to check and fix it.
MT

I was at the GM Desert Proving Grounds once and they have a demo they show their guests-- It consist of several things - one I remember is the suburban-- they bring it out on pavement- and with the accelerator pinned to the floorboard they will shift every 5 seconds from reverse to drive and drive to reverse 10 times- without letting up on the accelerator-- tires smoking they claim they can do this seven or eight times before they need to change/check the tranny--- so tell your buddy your tranny has about 69 lives left.....I know I was amazed--- I used to do this to Dad's 67 Caprice 396-- but I would let off the gas inbetween shifts......


Thanks, that makes me feel a little better. The oil leak is coming from above the starter, but its not the valve cover gasket. It looks like its coming directly from the starter area. Isnt there a seal there somewhere? I cant find where its coming from without dropping the starter.

No seal around starter.
Look at the back of the intake for leak.
Oil sending unit or line or rear intake gasket.
If no leaks there pull the flywheel inspection cover and look at rear main seal area.
For the hard to find leaks they make a leak dye kit to put into engine oil

No seal around starter.
Look at the back of the intake for leak.
Oil sending unit or line or rear intake gasket.
If no leaks there pull the flywheel inspection cover and look at rear main seal area.
For the hard to find leaks they make a leak dye kit to put into engine oil


Funny you mention the oil sending unit, because my oil guage stopped working the other day mysteriously. I think I will start there this evening. It should be on the block on the right side (sitting in truck) right?

It should be there but have a look and see.
Let us know how it goes.
MT

It should be there but have a look and see.
Let us know how it goes.
MT

I cannot find the oil sending unit anywhere! Either its hidden well, or I dont know what it looks like. I went to NAPA to get a new one and they have a 1,2, & 3 wire model, however i have no idea which one I have. Is it obvious where it is placed? Do I get to it from uptop, or underneath? Could it be somewhere else other than by the distributor?

What engine?

350 / 5.7liter / gasoline / TH400

Rear of engine behind left cylinder head on left side of dist.
Good luck
MT

I finally found it. The oil switch itself is not leaking, however there is a leak either at the bottom of the 90 degree elbow that the oil switch threads into, or the intake manifold gasket.
Its almost impossible to see back there though. The 90 degree elbow is very tight, so if it is leaking can I wrap some teflon tape around, or locktite the threads?

If you are not sure, there is a dye that can be put into the oil and then the leak can be seen with a special light.

Take the guess work out of it.

//2000CAYukon

Does the top switch control the oil pressure guage, or its it the bottom switch? Sorry to be so noobish, but where is the bottom switch located?