Oil Leak - Wishful Thinking?
12-18-2006, 11:58 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Oil Leak - Wishful Thinking?
I started to have an oil leak under the car - driven on the weekends. Could it be from low oil?
I was getting a very slow drip from under the back of the block on both sides. Maybe a puddle about the size of a small hand every week. Couldn't get a good look with a mirror and no leaks on the top end, but figured it was the oil pan. Was going to raise the car to get a better look when the weather got colder, but we are getting an extended driving season.
I was checking the archives RE: trans fluid and I read that trans fluid leaks when the level is low. So I checked the oil and it was a little lower than the bottom hash (Filled to bottom hash at last oil change). Filled to the middle and the leaking oil stopped. Lucky, or unlucky, coincidence?
I was getting a very slow drip from under the back of the block on both sides. Maybe a puddle about the size of a small hand every week. Couldn't get a good look with a mirror and no leaks on the top end, but figured it was the oil pan. Was going to raise the car to get a better look when the weather got colder, but we are getting an extended driving season.
I was checking the archives RE: trans fluid and I read that trans fluid leaks when the level is low. So I checked the oil and it was a little lower than the bottom hash (Filled to bottom hash at last oil change). Filled to the middle and the leaking oil stopped. Lucky, or unlucky, coincidence?
12-19-2006, 12:14 AM
#2
Nordschleife Master
i would think transfluid for an auto i presume would be in the rear of the car. You said your leak is on both sides of the block, could be camshaft seals, although thats probably just a 32V problem, i will again assume your talking about the 85 in your sig.
Oil leaking when too low, sounds like an oximoron honestly. Where did you hear that?
Please be more specific with year details, and so forth, i am sure someone will point you in the right direction.
Oil leaking when too low, sounds like an oximoron honestly. Where did you hear that?
Please be more specific with year details, and so forth, i am sure someone will point you in the right direction.
12-19-2006, 12:43 AM
#3
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Ryan,
I think my description was confusing. I don't have a trans leak. Last week I was searching for the type of trans fluid to use. But I remember reading that trans fluid will leak if the level is low. Thought it was interesting but not relavent at the time.
I did have a engine oil leak under both sides in the back of the block. Couldn't find where is was coming from. Valve covers are dry. Cam seals don't seem to be wet. Valleys clean. Thought maybe a low engine oil level could cause oil to leak. And after I filled the oil to the middle of the hash marks, the leak stopped (wasn't expecting it to work). But now I'm wondering if there is a reason, therefore maybe my leak has stopped for good. Does a lower oil level produce higher crankcase pressures?
I think my description was confusing. I don't have a trans leak. Last week I was searching for the type of trans fluid to use. But I remember reading that trans fluid will leak if the level is low. Thought it was interesting but not relavent at the time.
I did have a engine oil leak under both sides in the back of the block. Couldn't find where is was coming from. Valve covers are dry. Cam seals don't seem to be wet. Valleys clean. Thought maybe a low engine oil level could cause oil to leak. And after I filled the oil to the middle of the hash marks, the leak stopped (wasn't expecting it to work). But now I'm wondering if there is a reason, therefore maybe my leak has stopped for good. Does a lower oil level produce higher crankcase pressures?
12-19-2006, 04:08 AM
#4
Rennlist Member
Get under there with a 10mm gear wrench and make sure the pan is snug. Don't overtighten to where you compress the gasket and squeeze it out -- just get them all "one finger" snug. While you're under there you can look above the pan gasket for any oil dripping from above but even money says it's the pan gasket, or I should say most of it's from the pan gasket. 
12-19-2006, 10:14 AM
#5
Supercharged
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It's probably the oil pan gasket. Snugging the oil pan bolts might help, but if it's that bad, you're probably living on borrowed time and you should really consider replacing the oil pan gasket (and motor mounts while you're at it). It's not terribly difficult, just messy and a lot of things need to come off. It took me 5 nights working in 2-3 hour increments. Now's the best time of the year for this kind of project as the weather is getting pretty crappy for most of us. Good luck.
12-19-2006, 10:48 AM
#6
Craic Head
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John,
That is a weird set of circumstances. I don't think the same forces are in effect here as would be in a tranny with low fluid, and I can't see how a car that leaked with the minimum amount of oil would not leak with more.
If it ain't broke now, you may not have to fix it, but my money is on the pan gasket like everyone else.
If it's on both sides and the top end is good I think that only leaves the pan gasket or the rear main seal (depending on where it is). Only way to know is it get it up in the air.
That is a weird set of circumstances. I don't think the same forces are in effect here as would be in a tranny with low fluid, and I can't see how a car that leaked with the minimum amount of oil would not leak with more.
If it ain't broke now, you may not have to fix it, but my money is on the pan gasket like everyone else.
If it's on both sides and the top end is good I think that only leaves the pan gasket or the rear main seal (depending on where it is). Only way to know is it get it up in the air.
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12-19-2006, 02:04 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Thanks Dave, Andrew, Mike.
Understood Dave. 
I'm waiting for an allen socket for my rear before I lift the car. When I'm under the car I'll check to see if I can spot the leak and see if any of the pan bolts are loose. I just thought is was strange that the leak stopped on its own. 
Originally Posted by SharkSkin
I didn't mean to present my suggestion as a fix, but as a troubleshooting step...
I'm waiting for an allen socket for my rear before I lift the car. When I'm under the car I'll check to see if I can spot the leak and see if any of the pan bolts are loose. I just thought is was strange that the leak stopped on its own.
12-19-2006, 02:13 PM
#10
Craic Head
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John,
I know what you mean. Whenever a leak stops it usually means there's nothing left and it's time to panic. Things don't usually fix themselves.
If you can't find the allen socket you need, I've got a BFAW that's the right size (I couldn't find the right sized socket locally, so I just bought the wrench). I had to put a 24" breaker bar on it to loosen the fill plug, but it worked just fine.
If you need it, it's yours.
I know what you mean. Whenever a leak stops it usually means there's nothing left and it's time to panic. Things don't usually fix themselves.
If you can't find the allen socket you need, I've got a BFAW that's the right size (I couldn't find the right sized socket locally, so I just bought the wrench). I had to put a 24" breaker bar on it to loosen the fill plug, but it worked just fine.
If you need it, it's yours.