Update,
So the "regional rep/ Guru" came to the dealership to see the problem and said it wasn't a crack in the block after all, but the front crank seal. They replaced it and drove and checked it several times in the last few days to make sure of the cure. They steam cleaned the entire underside of the car and delivered it to our home, and picked up the rental car we had been driving for the last two weeks.
The car is happily at home now and we are hopeful this episode is over with
