Last week the car developed a small oil leak, only initialy noticable by burning smell as it dripped onto the exhuast.

 

Had it looked at this weekend during a routine oil change but the source of the leak could not be found. Suspect the car had stood a little while and much of the oil had dried/cleared/evaporated/whatever with the heat following the run to the garage. The leak is much worse now as a result of the new oil being thinner (new).

 

Warmed the engine yesterday to check its not all just my imagnation, its not. Nothing can be seen looking down from above the engine so having crawled under the car to try to find the source (with a tourch), and not get burnt, it would appear to be coming from somewhere on the drivers side, back of engine. A few wires around that area were oily looking after a short run. Head in through gap left after turning wheels to left. Somewhere above what looks like the oil filter.

 

When left without running, very little oil is lost.

 

Got the car booked in with a local mechanic where there is a pit to try to find the problem, I'll then consider how to fix it if he can't. What I'm after is some suggestions as to what it could be as a guide to what to look for. Thoughts, experiance and costs would also be a big help.

 

TIA

 

Brent.

...there's info about saying that if the PCV valves? get blocked it increases the oil pressure and blows oil out of the rear engine/gearbox gasket. Remedy is to clean or replace these valves. A cheap option if you are in the States. They are awkward to get at, but it can be done.

 

As for oil around the filter, try tightening everything up.

 

good luck

 

Jack

Are you sure it's oil and not transmittion fluid from the Power steering ?. The location you are talking about seems to be below the power steering pump. What colour is the oil ?

Either rocker cover gasket on exhaust cam or intake cam on drivers side, or the oil feed to the drivers side turbo. If its the oil feed to the turbo it is a complete pain in the arse to get to - good luck ;)

 

HTH

 

CheerZ,

 

Andy

Oil before change was dark brown/black, oil on floor now light. brown plus a little crap it picks up on the way to the floor. Must be engine oil as this colour change would be consistent with the oil change.

 

All guages in the car are reporting the same consistent values as ever, but I've read people don't put much faith in these. Turbos seem to run as good as ever, no unusual noises or such.

 

Would the cam seals or gaskets be expensive and are the parts a mechanic could pick up easily?

 

Cheers chaps!

 

Brent