Oil leak

[SurlySurdi]

Guys I had the car up on a ramp today to change the oil, there is a thin coat of oil underneath the engine (see pics). Where is the best place to start investigating please? Thanks.

SS

[SilverWT]

Oil return tubes.

Mark

[SurlySurdi]

Thanks Mark, how easy/hard are these to change, what's involved please?

SS

[SilverWT]

You destroy the old ones by crushing with mole grips and bend and pull them out.

You then expand two piece replacements into place and lock with a circlip.

From memory I think @Ian Comerford did a write up on this.

First, you need to confirm it is the oil return tubes as oil can travel all over giving a false impression.

 

Mark

[SurlySurdi]

Agreed Mark, at least ive got a starting point now. Thank you.

SS

Edited April 16, 2024 by SurlySurdi

[Ian Comerford]

Might be worth starting with a good clean of the engine to remove as much muck as possible, then you might have a better chance of seeing the leak.

[Nige]

Or oil pressure sender and/or breather pipes.

[Phill]

Or oil cooler or triangle of death.

So many options……good luck.

[Chris_911]

Oil return tubes are a very simple job. Just don't do what I do and forget to put one of the circlips on...... The new ones, whilst they might seem a retrograde step being collapsible have much better viton seals.

If you want a methodical plan of action clean the engine as well as you can. You'll then be able to judge more clearly where the oil is coming from.

But as a guess I would agree with @SilverWT on the oil return tubes being (maybe partly) to blame.

[SurlySurdi]

Gents, many thanks for the suggestions. As suggested, I will clean it up first then get hunting!

SS

[Northy]

I’ve also been trying to track down an oil leak. I thought it was oil return tubes. I’ve cleaned it up and it looks to me like it’s actually either a valve cover or oil line and it’s running down and forwards from the rear of the car/engine to drip onto the heat exchanger. 
 

A question to the congregation, brake cleaner, ok to use on the engine? 

[mean in green]

Another potential cause to add to the conversation, take the rocker covers off and look at the rocker positions to check they are all centred correctly. If any have drifted sideways oil can leak, not an obvious one to spot.

As can be seen there are several possible sources and there may be more than one so be methodical.

[Ian Comerford]

17 minutes ago, Northy said:

A question to the congregation, brake cleaner, ok to use on the engine? 

For simple removal of leaked oil, yes, but… Don’t use on hot components and also do not spray on any joints as it can remove sealant and make things worse.  The nice thing about brake cleaner is that it doesn’t really leave a residue, unlike cleaners such as Gunk.