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  #1  
Old 10-21-2010, 11:35 PM
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So I have a leak somewhere, and naturally, IM FREAKING OUT

Been seeing spots of oil in my driveway as of about 2-3 weeks ago. No codes or anything, but naturally, I'm (moderately) freaking out. Just changed the oil yesterday actually. But that was long overdue anyways (any correlation possibly?).
Have attached some pictures. Of course I don't expect anyone to diagnose anything from just the pictures, but maybe it could point me in the right direction. Hoping its just a seal of some sort. But Car just hit 105k, and I'll be damned if I don't push her to 200+.

While I'm on the subject, anyone know a good indie or specialist in the area of Miami?

Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you.
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Old 10-22-2010, 09:12 AM
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bump?
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Old 10-22-2010, 11:34 AM
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i love miami... but i dont know any good indies there.

is this a 4.4i?

i also leak a couple of spots, seems to come and go... maybe based on the weather, how hot i get her, and how old the oil is. you can check you oil pan, and the rear main seal are typical to leak a bit. how much oil was missing when you did your change?

changing both are a bit of work. that reinforcement / skid plate is held on by self locking bolts that are one and done, would need new ones if you decide to take it off and do any work behind it.

also you would need to drop the trans to get at the rear main seal. not a DIY unless you got the right type of garage and tools. good to do when you rebuild a torque converter or have any trans work done.

also an easier job and possible DIY: check you valve covers they can leak and drip down. its about time to change the plugs on your ride if you haven't yet and in doing so you can inspect the valve cover gaskets.
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Old 10-22-2010, 11:46 AM
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Thanks for the info Tony. Definitely will need to do plugs asap. I think I might have pushed it a little with the oil though. The oil inspection light was only on for about a half a week before I changed it. However, there was maybe 2-3 liters in the bin when it was drained... definitely not good. Also, before I changed it, when I started her up, it would make this clicky rotating noise, almost like there was a card in a bicycle spoke. Soon as I changed the oil it went away... don't know if that could be a part of it. Its a 3.0 btw.

Too bad I'm not up in CT (home for me actually). Know a good guy in Stamford.... but don't think I'll be making that drive for quite some time
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Old 10-22-2010, 11:54 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Allstarsrd12 View Post
Thanks for the info Tony. Definitely will need to do plugs asap. I think I might have pushed it a little with the oil though. The oil inspection light was only on for about a half a week before I changed it. However, there was maybe 2-3 liters in the bin when it was drained... definitely not good. Also, before I changed it, when I started her up, it would make this clicky rotating noise, almost like there was a card in a bicycle spoke. Soon as I changed the oil it went away... don't know if that could be a part of it. Its a 3.0 btw.

Too bad I'm not up in CT (home for me actually). Know a good guy in Stamford.... but don't think I'll be making that drive for quite some time
cool, i know some peeps in Stamford. fun times down there, also hit south norwalk too. good times.

that ticking is ok if it goes away in a few seconds while its getting the oil to the top of the engine. i keep an eye on my oil as my X tends to burn some off and leak. i top off as necessary. (maybe like a quart between changes on a 4.4i with 8-8.5 quarts total.) (they sell leather oil holders which mount in the cargo are for god's sake! i wonder if people are prone to top of their bimmers??? haha)

i was thinking of switching from my staple Mobil1 to a castrol high mileage, hoping it will be thicker cause of additives and possibly the conditioners in there will be less likely to leak as they may do work on the seals.

actually i'm gonna do a change soon and prob will get a high mileage oil.
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Old 10-22-2010, 01:15 PM
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Did you splash some oil on top of the big metal shield/plate when you took the drain plug out?

This would be a good time to get some engine degreaser and hose down the engine (stay away from electrical connector -- plastic wrap them or bag them to keep them dry). Now you can start from a clean motor to see where the oil is leaking from a bit better.
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Old 10-22-2010, 02:43 PM
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I'm with admranger...the first place I would look is up in the drain cover and surrounding areas, for spilled oil from the drain.
Looks like a typical dlr done oil change, imo, in terms of lack of clean up. I know you DIY, and not criticising, but it is easy to leave
a considerable quantity of drain oil, that drips like that for the next few days, and blows back on any underneath surface, down wind.
GL, mD

PS: if you plan on getting another 100k miles out of it, driving around
with the low oil warning light on is not the ticket.
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Old 10-22-2010, 03:27 PM
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No, that was taking actually pre oil change. Did mine after that, and barley spilled a drop. Only a minor splash when filling the filter. So thats all from before
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Old 10-22-2010, 06:20 PM
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Unless your throwing a code (E3 or E4) I wouldn't freak out. Find it and handle it but no reason to freak. And to hell with oil lights - Every 5,000 miles will take it to 300K+.
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Old 10-29-2010, 11:38 PM
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u sure thats not gear oil? looks like there is a drop ready to fall from that lever thing on the trans
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