My car is leaking something, any idea what?
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Hockessin, DE
My car is leaking something, any idea what?
My car seems to slowly be leaking something. I thinks it's the oil, but I don't see a leak near the drain plug or oil filter.
Anyone know any other places it could leak? How about other fluids?
If it helps, the substance is all over the center jack point under the front of the car.
Anyone know any other places it could leak? How about other fluids?
If it helps, the substance is all over the center jack point under the front of the car.
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You're just gonna have to look in the engine bay with a flashlight, then jack it up and look underneath. You'll need to take all the plastic. The thing about drips is it could be leaking from somewhere, running down the side of something, and then pooling somewhere before dripping. Just start at the drip on the floor and work your way up. It's gonna suck... had a fuel leak one time that took weeks to find.
Looks like engine oil? Could it some sort of road grime? Tranny fluid will be a dark red color, washer fluid could be several colors really blue, pink, yellow, orange - look in the reservoir, but can't be confused with engine oil anyway, coolant will be green and is also hard to get confused with engine oil. That's all I can really think of right now.
Looks like engine oil? Could it some sort of road grime? Tranny fluid will be a dark red color, washer fluid could be several colors really blue, pink, yellow, orange - look in the reservoir, but can't be confused with engine oil anyway, coolant will be green and is also hard to get confused with engine oil. That's all I can really think of right now.
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 639
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From: Hockessin, DE
Almost positive now that it's engine oil.
I just can't figure out where it's coming from.
Like I said, the jack point in oiled, and the base that the drain plug connects to has oil around it.
I just can't figure out where it's coming from.
Like I said, the jack point in oiled, and the base that the drain plug connects to has oil around it.
Try to wipe off the entire pan, including around each pan bolt. Look at at after driving or wait till the next day. If it is still clean except for the bottom, the oil could be leaking from the drain plug. That means you need to replace the crush washer on the plug. That should be exchanged each time you do an oil change. If it's all over the pan (even around the pan bolts after cleaning it) then it's leaking from above. Towards the rear of the motor means it could be valve covers. Look from the top near the firewall and see if there is oil going down the back side of the motor.
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 639
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From: Hockessin, DE
I'm positive it's not from the drain plug. I changed the oil myself last week and there was nothing (the oil was leaking before the oil change as well).
I also put a new crush washer. You're saying valve covers? I'll take a look there. Thanks
I also put a new crush washer. You're saying valve covers? I'll take a look there. Thanks
residual oil from last weeks change? (could have spilled when filling) - or possibly from oil filter? (if not seated properly or tightened enough)... also confirm that oil cap and dip stick are secure
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 639
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From: Hockessin, DE
Well the thing is, the oil has been leaking before I changed it last week. It's been doing this for about a month.
Thing is, we have 3 other cars, 2 of which are over 10 years old, so I thought it was one of them.
What are common places for the oil to leak besides the drain plug and filter? Valve covers, anywhere else?
Thing is, we have 3 other cars, 2 of which are over 10 years old, so I thought it was one of them.
What are common places for the oil to leak besides the drain plug and filter? Valve covers, anywhere else?
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: By the sea, Tx
G35 sedan w/ too much money in mods
When I bought my car the gasket on the oil cooler had been overtightened and was shot. It was leaking oil there. Dealer replaced it under warranty and haven't had a problem since.
This isn't a common problem on the VQ so I don't know what else to suggest.
This isn't a common problem on the VQ so I don't know what else to suggest.
AT has no oil cooler...
Well the thing is, the oil has been leaking before I changed it last week. It's been doing this for about a month.
Thing is, we have 3 other cars, 2 of which are over 10 years old, so I thought it was one of them.
What are common places for the oil to leak besides the drain plug and filter? Valve covers, anywhere else?
Thing is, we have 3 other cars, 2 of which are over 10 years old, so I thought it was one of them.
What are common places for the oil to leak besides the drain plug and filter? Valve covers, anywhere else?
You need to clean off the engine, drive it around, then get under the car and inspect.
Look between the heads/block in case of head gasket failure (unlikely), around the valve covers, by the sandwich plater (where the oil filter screws into). flashlight and a cleaned engine will be needed.
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,299
Likes: 1,488
From: By the sea, Tx
G35 sedan w/ too much money in mods
Not the tranny pan foo. There is a small cooler (Ring) between the oil filter and the oil pan. In the FSM for the 05 sedan it's listed as part #7. It has a gasket the oil filter seals against and if the filter's tightened too hard it ruins the gasket, thus creating a leak.
If I knew how to attach a page from the FSM, I'd post it for you to see. It's listed under the EM section on page 30.
If I knew how to attach a page from the FSM, I'd post it for you to see. It's listed under the EM section on page 30.
Not the tranny pan foo. There is a small cooler (Ring) between the oil filter and the oil pan. In the FSM for the 05 sedan it's listed as part #7. It has a gasket the oil filter seals against and if the filter's tightened too hard it ruins the gasket, thus creating a leak.
If I knew how to attach a page from the FSM, I'd post it for you to see. It's listed under the EM section on page 30.
If I knew how to attach a page from the FSM, I'd post it for you to see. It's listed under the EM section on page 30.
Anyway - if it were leaking there, he would have/should have found that when looking at filter...
here's the page you referenced:
And a better view - in LU-14
Last edited by OCG35; Mar 8, 2010 at 01:19 PM.
Not the tranny pan foo. There is a small cooler (Ring) between the oil filter and the oil pan. In the FSM for the 05 sedan it's listed as part #7. It has a gasket the oil filter seals against and if the filter's tightened too hard it ruins the gasket, thus creating a leak.
If I knew how to attach a page from the FSM, I'd post it for you to see. It's listed under the EM section on page 30.
If I knew how to attach a page from the FSM, I'd post it for you to see. It's listed under the EM section on page 30.
I thought that statement was odd too. Neither the AT or manuals had external oil coolers.
You can upload files if it's small enough. Just have to scroll down to the manage attachment options
