I have noticed over the past 2 weeks a very slow oil leak. At most 1 drip every 1 to 2 days. I had the intake valves and gaskets replaced about 6 months ago. 98 Pontiac Grand AM GT. 140k miles. Also had power steering hose replaced about 6 weeks ago. Neither time was anything noticed or mentioned that may be causing the slow leak. Any thoughts?
2007-03-21 04:35:49 · 10 answers · asked by stg22 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It is funny that you mention the oil filter not being tight enough. It started not too long after I had the oil changed.
2007-03-21 04:51:49 · update #1
A leak that small should leave some sort of residue on the bottom side of the engine/transmission area of the vehicle. But, it will be very difficult to locate the actual source of the leak. My suggestion would be to put a large WHITE piece of cardboard under the vehicle when you know it will sit for a couple days. Then you can try to determine what color the fluid is (brown/black-engine oil; red-transmission fluid; clear amber-P/S fluid; orange-coolant. Once this is done, a technician can add a florescent dye to the affected system, and after a week or so of driving, check the vehicle with a black-lite. The leak (dye) will show where the leak is originating. Then the shop can give you an estimate on repairs. Good Luck, HTH!!
2007-03-21 04:52:29 · answer #1 · answered by lugnutz59 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
AWW – good one. Been there done that!! You have to be a detective first. Find out what kind of oil is it? Is it pink? Clear? Then it might be the transmission. Dark? Dirty? Oil pan to start with. At 140k, and a drip a week, don’t worry about it. It is normal and I am surprised it has not leaked more than it is now at that age. First thing is first. Take it to a car wash (manual spray gun washers), raise it, and wash it good!!! Then take it home and put a white card board underneath and check for the first drip. Now, here comes the fun part – once you find that first drop, grab a laser pointer, and place the back over the oil drip, pointing straight up (or a flash light) then, the red light will point to the source!!! Good luck and the force be with you!!
2007-03-21 05:00:05 · answer #2 · answered by RC 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i own a shop and it could be an oil sending unit starting to go bad on it,or some other gasket going bad,since its such a slow leak,id find it and repair it now,its probably a minor thing to deal with right now,there's a lot of smaller things that could be starting to leak on it have it checked and repaired and it will be fine right now its not big enough to hurt anything,but any leak is too much,good luck,i hope this helps.
2007-03-21 04:47:12 · answer #3 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The quickest way to find the source is by putting some dye in your engine oil and then shining a black light on the engine to see where the leak starts from. Any quality shop has the equipment to do the test, and it is fast and easy to do.
2007-03-21 04:54:14 · answer #4 · answered by bobweb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oil filter not tight enough
oil pan plug worn out
put a large piece of cardboard on the ground under the engine and leave it there for a few days
look to see where the leak is coming from and exactly what type of fluid is leaking- you can tell what type of fluid by color, odor
2007-03-21 04:45:45 · answer #5 · answered by Mopar Muscle Gal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like somebody else pronounced, it relies upon on the place the leak is. that's around your drain plug, attempt utilising a cork washer to help it seal extra perfect, do exactly no longer over-tighten it. ingredients in effortless terms temporarily decelerate the leak. you could ought to substitute a gasket.
2016-10-02 12:28:19 · answer #6 · answered by thorton 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is it a motor oil leak?if so then maybe the oil pan just needs tighten.they will work loose over a period of time.
2007-03-21 04:49:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it might be the sump nut that is either cross threaded and the seal is not connected properlyor they have tightened it up but not properly so it selfseals or it could be the sump gasket is on on its way out also it could be that gasket hasnt been put on properly ok
2007-03-21 05:10:47 · answer #8 · answered by brad 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had that happen once - it was the gasket for the oil drain plug - they had not replaced it!!
2007-03-21 04:52:32 · answer #9 · answered by ericscribener 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Additional details----- sounds like you have answered your own question.... check the oil filter.
2007-03-21 05:56:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋