Small oil leak...

[rct]

Never noticed any leaks from under the engine until my ‘98 Chimaera had it’s 24,000 mile service last month. Pulled the car out of the garage and found a small oil patch about 1.5 inches wide (car been stood a week). Put some paper underneath and had the same thing a week later (car stood a week but run to temperature previous week). A couple of questions! I’m not exactly sure where the oil is coming from, but it’s definately to the rear of the engine, slightly forward of the windscreen. The dealer said ‘they all do that sir’, but said bring it in anyway. Is it connected with the service? It’s by no means a huge puddle, but there were no leaks before.

[zippy500]

They may not have done the drain plug up enough, mine used to drip ever so slightly, but since last service nothing.

[incorrigible]

It could be because of a change in oil grade, if they put in 0/40 it tends to find it's way out.

I've never had this problem on a Tiv (but I use a 10/40) but this happenned to me with a Jap car next oil change problem went away

Or I could be talking rubbish

[mojorider]

Also have a 98 (450) and has a very tiny leak. Dealer (HH) told me it was a seal between the gearbox and the engine. They wanted £500+ to fix the problem, Fernhurst said not a big deal and not to worry too much. Will get it fixed at some point but not for £500.

[dans]

Crank oil seal? my griff has been doing this since it's last service. Not too worried really

[trefor]

Sump Gasket?

[Vmax500]

My 2000W 500 has recently started to leak a small amount of oil from a similar area when hot. As above (or below depending on your personal profile options!) I have been informed that 'they all do that'. Curiously, yes, I have recently switched back to 0/40W oil having used Mobil1 Motorsport for some time.

Keep a vigilant watch on the oil level and only really worry if the drip becomes a torrent.

[Leadfoot]

Could be the rocker cover gaskets leaking & the oil running down the back of the engine?

[RobM]

I had somthing similar. Turned out to be Power steering fluid. Jubilee clip to the pas-pump was loose. Found this out after dealer told me it was sump gasket and wanted £110 to fix it.

[scruff400]

quote:
Sump Gasket?

As long as it's not pissing out, leave it to 'rust proof' your chassis, as you drive it will make its way along the metal work and coat it!!

[BigJoe]

Similar problem with my '98 Chim 450. Bought it about 4 weeks ago now , parked it up in the garage for 2 weeks for my hols, came back to find a very small patch of oil on the floor.

Traced it to a leak from the rear of the offside rocker cover gasket. Difficult to spot as it's just tucked away underneath the bodyshell, had to use a torch to get a good look!

Will keep an eye on it until it's next service.........

P.S. Anyone else out and about in the Swindon area?