cause of small oil leak?

BrianMSmith · 01-28-2012, 08:22 PM

I thought the engine was using oil, then I noticed a small puddle under the car, and I can see a couple drips. I have never changed the oil drain plug washer. Is this a likley source for a small leak? (38k miles).

SPOHN · 01-28-2012, 08:27 PM

Very likely. Get up under there ASAP.

onzedge · 01-28-2012, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPOHN

Very likely. Get up under there ASAP.

IDZRVIT · 01-29-2012, 07:26 AM

If you didn't tighten the drain plug enough, probably.

kenchan · 01-29-2012, 07:43 AM

Or filter is loose.

Mt Tam I am · 01-29-2012, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPOHN

Very likely. Get up under there ASAP.

]

mantella87 · 01-29-2012, 09:28 AM

Change your crush washer every oil change.

wheee! · 01-29-2012, 10:28 AM

Buy a stack of crush washers or get the Fumoto drain valve... worth it!

mcphelps · 01-29-2012, 11:53 AM

I just had my 09's steering rack assembly replaced at 36K miles due to leaking power steering fluid. You might want to make sure it's oil. FWIW, I've done 9 oil changes with the original crush washer; no oil leaks.

kenchan · 01-29-2012, 01:50 PM

Yah crush washers don't necessarily need to be replaced every time. I change it each time since the online stores gives them to me with the purchase of the factory filter.

gsxr750 · 01-29-2012, 07:46 PM

Who changed your oil last. I took my 90's camry to a fast oil change place on a vacation trip and my oil pressure light went on after only 10 miles. Long story short , the idiots put in a drain plug from another car in front of me, fortunately the light went on close to a toyota dealer, added more oil and limped to dealer, installed new drain plug, topped off and it was fine.

Note the filter oring could also be the problem, I've seen it where the old oring will stick to the engine and its easy to have 2 orings in place, when installing the new filter, also a loose filter can do it , but not to often, oil filters really only need to hand tight to seal, but they should be tightened with a wrench, just to be safe.

01-28-2012, 08:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
BrianMSmith Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: secret Posts: 267 Drives: 370Z, Ducati 748S Rep Power: 15	cause of small oil leak? I thought the engine was using oil, then I noticed a small puddle under the car, and I can see a couple drips. I have never changed the oil drain plug washer. Is this a likley source for a small leak? (38k miles).

01-28-2012, 08:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
SPOHN A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Covington, GA Age: 45 Posts: 14,844 Drives: Waiting on next Z Rep Power: 221	Very likely. Get up under there ASAP. __________________

01-29-2012, 07:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
IDZRVIT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Halifax Posts: 1,659 Drives: '13 CTS-V, '76 Vette Rep Power: 26	If you didn't tighten the drain plug enough, probably. __________________ "America.... still builds rockets!" Vette: 355 cid, 400 rwhp '13 CTS-V Coupe: 6.2L LSA, 556HP

01-29-2012, 10:28 AM	#8 (permalink)
wheee! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mod Capital of Canada Age: 57 Posts: 7,354 Drives: cars. lots of cars. Rep Power: 40181	Buy a stack of crush washers or get the Fumoto drain valve... worth it! __________________ H&R / Stillen / Berk / HKS / Swift / Michelin / UpRev / SPC / Amuse Rep / Seibon / Fringe XVO / TWM / more... My Journal

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01-29-2012, 07:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	Or filter is loose.

01-29-2012, 09:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
mantella87 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 590 Drives: 2011 Z34 MT Rep Power: 14	Change your crush washer every oil change.

01-29-2012, 11:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
mcphelps Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ Age: 65 Posts: 113 Drives: 09 Sprt/Tr/Nav PG M6 Rep Power: 16	I just had my 09's steering rack assembly replaced at 36K miles due to leaking power steering fluid. You might want to make sure it's oil. FWIW, I've done 9 oil changes with the original crush washer; no oil leaks.

01-29-2012, 01:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	Yah crush washers don't necessarily need to be replaced every time. I change it each time since the online stores gives them to me with the purchase of the factory filter.

01-29-2012, 07:46 PM	#11 (permalink)
gsxr750 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: west Posts: 443 Drives: 2012 370z man. sport Rep Power: 13	Who changed your oil last. I took my 90's camry to a fast oil change place on a vacation trip and my oil pressure light went on after only 10 miles. Long story short , the idiots put in a drain plug from another car in front of me, fortunately the light went on close to a toyota dealer, added more oil and limped to dealer, installed new drain plug, topped off and it was fine. Note the filter oring could also be the problem, I've seen it where the old oring will stick to the engine and its easy to have 2 orings in place, when installing the new filter, also a loose filter can do it , but not to often, oil filters really only need to hand tight to seal, but they should be tightened with a wrench, just to be safe.