Oil leak help
black_89gt
Wagonist
Hey guys,
not too long ago I took my car to get an oil change (I usually do it myself but I was at school and no tools) and the shop told me that I have an oil leak. I am pretty positive this is true because I've noticed a couple drips under the engine and my gas mileage has been declining slightly, as well as smoke from the exhaust in the mornings and at night most noticeably. This is the first oil change since I got the car by the way. The shop said that the oil was very low and I need to keep a watch on the oil level, which I have been. They were "unsure" of where it was coming from and I haven't had a chance to look at it yet. I haven't worked too much with engines, so I need some help with where to look. I did a quick search and some common areas I found were obviously the oil filter, drain plug, oil pan, as well as the valve cover, and head gasket, I did see that it could be coming from the dizzy too? I just want to have an idea of where to look when I get it up on jackstands today after work.
Thanks guys!
not too long ago I took my car to get an oil change (I usually do it myself but I was at school and no tools) and the shop told me that I have an oil leak. I am pretty positive this is true because I've noticed a couple drips under the engine and my gas mileage has been declining slightly, as well as smoke from the exhaust in the mornings and at night most noticeably. This is the first oil change since I got the car by the way. The shop said that the oil was very low and I need to keep a watch on the oil level, which I have been. They were "unsure" of where it was coming from and I haven't had a chance to look at it yet. I haven't worked too much with engines, so I need some help with where to look. I did a quick search and some common areas I found were obviously the oil filter, drain plug, oil pan, as well as the valve cover, and head gasket, I did see that it could be coming from the dizzy too? I just want to have an idea of where to look when I get it up on jackstands today after work.
Thanks guys!
Comments
Also look under distributor for oil, there is an o-ring on the distributor where it goes into the head.
Mine leaks oil, from a fantom location...probably a main bearing seal, one is hidden by the timing belt cover...
Take your car's mileage into account...do you have a buttload of miles on it, and has it been rebuilt ever and what has been rebuilt?
If put cardboard under the car where you park it in your spot that will give you an idea of how much leaks versus how much it burns.
If it's only a few piddley spots of oil, check the levels after hour long trips of 3,000 rpms or more.
It may be leaking valve seals or piston rings, and if thats the case, just check your oil every couple of days, take note of how long of a drive and consider the RPM's you run at.
This method will tell you what's happening, whether your gaskets are leaking or your motor is burning oil. If you're burning oil, you just gotta pay closer attention to it, because with leaking valves and worn rings you can still drive your car...but without oil you are F'd
Good luck!
No, I haven't noticed any on the bumper, and my car has just hit the 150k mark. I don't think that the engine has been rebuilt, but the guy I bought it from said that it has a different head on it and wasn't sure what it was off of. I didn't have a chance to get it on stands tonight, but I will at some point this week and put a clean drip pan underneath to see how much it leaks if anything.