So noticed a puddle under my car a few days ago. Parked other way around, sure enough another puddle of oil. Also, should say, only recently (2 weeks ago) switched to Synthetic for the first time and had no oil leaks prior. Coupe only has 24000 miles on it.

Live in a condo so don't really have access to lift the car but tried to snap a few pics. Looking at them looks like the filter and cooler seem clean and dry. Most of it seems to be stemming from the pan drain plug. Could it be not tight enough? Or too tight? Would it really need replacing at such low mileage?

Also, if you look at the third picture, looks like the oil is flowing away from it (away from the filter) on the pan. I'm assuming this is gravity at work but isn't the plug lower than where it appears to be flowing towards? Or could the leak be coming from some place other than the plug?

What do you guys think it looks like? Any help would be really appreciated.

 

Also, should add, checked the dipstick but it seemed to be at High though I never trust the stupid dipstick reading as it varies from check to check.

Though the puddles were a fair size, about half a foot across each time.

 

Do you change your own oil?

 

This is a much argued upon subject, but the school of thought lately agrees more than ever that switching from conventional to synthetic is not damaging if you are using modern oils. Yes, the two types are different, but they are still compatible. You can add one in to the other without suffering issues.

I would check this out- very good reading:

http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html

Also, just check out your filter and your plug and make sure both are tightened sufficiently. Don't go off the deep end thinking that there are internal leaks or anything else until you cover the basics.

 

also the Rubber o-ring that goes directly behind the oil cooler assembly (where the filter screws on) very common to leak from there, and the possibility exists that the change of oil, might have had an effect on the o-ring

 

It appears that the leak is at the drain plug. It is wise to replace the special copper washer on the drain plug every time you change the oil. They are around a buck fifty at the dealer, worth it for the peace of mind. With the new drain plug washer, tighten to specs listed on the owners manual(25 ft-lbs)

 

Same thing happened to my 07 when i purchased her CPO few years ago. Turns out the copper washer was installed upside down. There's a small notch on one side of the washer, and it's supposed to be facing the drain plug, not the oil pan. Otherwise oil will slowly seep through that notch, no matter how much you tighten the plug.

You can change oil all over again, or just buy a new drain plug with copper washer (correctly installed this time) and quickly "swap" the plugs. Will get a little messy but it saves a lot of hassle. Just be sure to do it when the engine is totally and completely cold.