Hi guys,

Just spotted a small pool of oil under the car - probably collected over a week or so - but being a bit dopey when it comes to cars I was wondering what it might be from.

 

On closer inspection it looks like its coming from the oil cooler at the front of the engine: a lot of the bottom of the cooler and all along the horizontal piece at the bottom (there are two bolts on this piece, one at each end) are wet with oil, and I can see its spread all across the front engine cover piece and from there down on to the floor.

 

It quite black oil; blacker than the engine oil, I thought, and sure enough the dipstick level is normal. Any thoughts on what else it could be? Also, I'm loathed to drive it like this, but I could do with using the car tomorrow; think I'd be better off leaving it alone til I can get it looked at?

 

Thanks in advance!

I think the leak might be coming from the oil cooler. Check to see if you can see any cracks or where a stone has smashed through.

 

Is it an aftermarket engine oil cooler, or an auto gearbox oil cooler? Either way, that'll be where the oil is coming from. There's a fair bit of oil in a VG so you wouldn't necessarily notice 200-300ml less on the dipstick.

 

If its your transmission oil on the floor (wouldn't have thought this would be black tbh) I definitely wouldn't use the car. If its engine oil, the problem will only get worse as the temp increases. I wouldn't risk it until you know exactly what the problem is and how to manage it.

Much obliged mate. Its a standard cooler, on a manual car.

I'll leave it alone though until I can get it seen to properly.

 

Thanks again!