Oil drip tray for leaky car

[matt21]

I’ve finally given up chasing the oil leak on my old Passat. Only a drop each time I park, but adds up and making a mess of my nice block paved drive (any tips to remove oil drops?!)

Looking for a sturdy drip tray I can throw under it each time. Been using a spare drivers car mat which is perfect shape but now soggy and horrid. Also need something which won’t blow away. Doesn’t need to have much capacity as it’s literally a drop each time I park

Any tips for a cheap jobby?

[Greg the Fish]

Washing up liquid is one of the best.

I kid you not. Just basic Fairy liquid will do the job a treat.

Oh, and an old baking tray out of the kitchen.

Sorted.

[Haltamer]

Does it have any kind of undertray?

Thinking it may be possible to take the undertray off and stick an oil absorbing mat in with some gaffer tape / something to save having to fiddle with putting things under the car.

[gazza285]

You can get proper ones for use under industrial welders/generators, or you can use a cat litter tray with a brick in it.

[matt21]

Greg the Fish said:

Washing up liquid is one of the best.

I kid you not. Just basic Fairy liquid will do the job a treat.

Oh, and an old baking tray out of the kitchen.

Sorted.

Will try the fairly liquid, thanks!

Old baking tray will probably blow away plus it needs to be longer. 1m long would be ideal

[matt21]

Haltamer said:

Does it have any kind of undertray?

Thinking it may be possible to take the undertray off and stick an oil absorbing mat in with some gaffer tape / something to save having to fiddle with putting things under the car.

Yeah it does and that’s a good shout. May jack it up and take a look this weekend

[micky metro]

growbag tray, probably a fiver at diy/garden centre etc.

[Coog]

If you have an Ikea nearby they sell plastic trays for putting your muddy shoes in at the front door. They also work quite well as a drip tray.

[Krikkit]

Forget Fairy, try some "Elbow Grease" - works a treat on engine and gearbox oil. On Amazon for a quid if you have prime.

[GreenV8S]

You can get a bulk pack of commercial oil absorbant pads for about 50p each. If the leak is as small as you describe, you can probably just tape a couple of them down where you usually park and replace them every few weeks. They'll get soggy with rain but I expect they'll still look reasonably tidy.

If you want to tidy them up, you could put a rubber grid mat over them.

Edited by GreenV8S on Saturday 16th January 16:39

[DVandrews]

I use garden seed trays, half the price of drip trays and virtually identical , available in various sizes on Ebay or Amazon, been using them for years when building engines. You can use Jizer on spilt oil, work it in with a brush, then rinse *very* thoroughly with water, you can use block sealant to prevent soak in of any spills.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Garland-Black-Plastic-G...


Dave

Edited by DVandrews on Saturday 16th January 13:39

[Boosted LS1]

matt21 said:

Haltamer said:

Does it have any kind of undertray?

Thinking it may be possible to take the undertray off and stick an oil absorbing mat in with some gaffer tape / something to save having to fiddle with putting things under the car.

Yeah it does and that’s a good shout. May jack it up and take a look this weekend

An oil soaked mat under a hot engine. Whatever you do don't leave it there when you go for a drive. An under tray on the floor is the solution if you can't cure the leak.