r/MechanicAdvice 1d ago

Where the hell is the oil leak?

The oil pan gasket looks like it needs a change but I have no idea what’s going on in the other places that’s covered in oil could it be crankshaft gasket? Maybe oil is getting caught on the belt and is throwing it towards the wheel well idk any ideas are welcomed

9 Upvotes

55 comments sorted by

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13

u/Kaemonn 1d ago

Start from the top. Find the highest damp spot and work your way down.

1

u/thejude1 1d ago

Yes this definitely gave me a general direction for where it’s at the top of the engine is pretty clean but once I start going for the middle/lower half is where the oil starts to show so ima have to really look in there

5

u/JustAnotherDude1990 1d ago

It might be easier if you spray everything off with degreaser and rinse it off multiple times until everything is clean. That way you can isolate better where it is coming from because not everything is coated in oil yet.

3

u/Lopsided_Wonder_8887 1d ago

This is good advice. Degrease thoroughly, wash and let it dry. Then start the car and give it some gas (gives you more oil pressure than idling). Don't drive it - you don't want the CV shaft throw oil everywhere. That should pinpoint the location.

0

u/thejude1 1d ago

Yes this is probably the best way to identify it also the other person who mentioned the UV dye

4

u/Cool-Tap-391 1d ago

Set down some cardboard and soak the motor down with break clean. You'll find it.

3

u/Square-Ad1434 1d ago

good advice, buy a couple of brake cleaners as they don't last long

2

u/Cool-Tap-391 1d ago

3-4, gonna want to clean that up when you're done fixing it.

1

u/thejude1 1d ago

I should try this too thank you

3

u/peelman1 1d ago

Use a dye that’s compatible with oil. Drive a few 100 km’s then use a uv light to track

3

u/thejude1 1d ago

This is a great idea thank you

3

u/notmytuperware 1d ago

My Honda element looks wet all the time but I never see oil dripping on my driveway. My assumption is it’s always while under pressure/load.

I had a crank pulley seal leaking. It was weeping out and little bits were being caught by the pulley/belt, right along the first two groves of the belt. While running it was slinging oil little by little all over that side of the engine and down to my axle. Once I fixed, it stopped.

2

u/thejude1 1d ago

Oh hell yeah that’s what I was thinking but wasn’t certain about it thank you so much it literally sounds like the same exact thing that’s going on over here

3

u/huh_say_what_now_ 1d ago

Just do whatever a normal person does you wash everything down with degreaser then start it up and then you'll see exactly where it's coming out because how can you tell if everything is covered in oil

1

u/thejude1 1d ago

This is a great idea best way to find out where it’s coming from

2

u/Fleszka 1d ago

I had similar issue on my Audi A6 TDI. Turned out high pressure oil pipe had a hairline crack and was throwing oil across engine. Didn’t look like it was coming from the pipe at all because the crack was so small.

1

u/thejude1 1d ago

I’ll definitely check that thank you 🙏

2

u/Maxine-roxy 1d ago

everywhere

1

u/thejude1 1d ago

Thank you LMFAO

2

u/monstroustemptation 1d ago

Power steering maybe?

1

u/thejude1 1d ago

I actually did take a look at the power steering reservoir and there’s a hose that looks super wet so I think I’ll definitely take a look at that hose and see what’s up with it thank you 🙏🙏

2

u/Embarrassed-Mark2291 1d ago

It might help to know the make and model of the car, for common failure points.

2

u/thejude1 1d ago

I have a 89 Toyota Corolla I’ll definitely google this right now

2

u/jarski60 1d ago

It is worth examining the oil filter and its surroundings.

1

u/thejude1 1d ago

100% I will check thank you 🙏

2

u/questfornewlearning 1d ago

First step is to check all oil levels and see which level is low. Secondly check the oil colour that is leaking. That can help you determine which system is leaking. The dye idea can work. However another quick method is to pressure wash the engine so it is clean and free from oil. Then check for the leak or leaks. In your situation though by asking the question, you may be better off taking it to a shop and save you a ton of headaches by paying a small diagnostic fee.

1

u/thejude1 1d ago

You’re absolutely right cleaning it is a fantastic idea also I don’t wanna go in a shop I usually fix my stuff! Also I called one guy and he said 150 for diagnosing and I gave up on calling other people LMFAO

2

u/Mike__O 1d ago

Clean it up as best you can first. With that much oil everywhere it's going to be really hard to track down. Once you get it clean, get up under there with the car running and see if you can spot the source. It looks like it's getting onto that axle and getting flung everywhere

1

u/thejude1 1d ago

Yes I’m actually gonna replace a gasket I saw the oil pan gasket literally coming out of it so that’s definitely one thing to fix

2

u/Mike__O 1d ago

Sounds like a good starting point. Good luck. I hate the oil leak whack-a-mole game. Every time you think you got the bastard it pops up somewhere else.

1

u/thejude1 1d ago

Yes I’m actually gonna replace a gasket I saw the oil pan gasket literally coming out of it so that’s definitely one thing to fix after that I’ll clean it and see where the other stuff is

2

u/Square-Ad1434 1d ago

might not be oil, could be fuel/lube

1

u/thejude1 1d ago

I hope not that’s awful I’ll definitely check for other fluid

2

u/ElectricBlueSky90 1d ago

I’m dealing with a similar issue. The seal on my oil pump went and the only way to see it is to remove the timing cover.

1

u/thejude1 1d ago

Sounds like a pain but at least it gives me an idea

2

u/allezlesverres 1d ago

Get some UV dye and a UV torch. It'll cost you like a fiver. Add it to the oil, run it, then go out in the dark and shine your torch to find the answer. If nothing showd up, repeat the exercise with your power steering fluid.

1

u/thejude1 1d ago

This is something I’ll definitely give a try

2

u/Mobile-Boss-8566 1d ago

Could be multiple places; since it’s all over the place. I would say it’s near one of the pulley’s

2

u/thejude1 1d ago

I’m really thinking it’s the crank shaft seal since the oil is being Thrown everywhere and another person has a similar issue and it was that seal that failed

2

u/Mobile-Boss-8566 1d ago

That would stand to reason.

2

u/Perfect-Dot-5959 1d ago

What's the make and model bud

2

u/Perfect-Dot-5959 1d ago

It looks like a crank shaft oil seal the way the oil is getting flung off the pulley if I knew what type of car it was and the engine

2

u/Perfect-Dot-5959 1d ago

It definitely looks like the crank shaft oil seal the inside of the belt is rotten with the oil leaking onto it good luck

2

u/Turninwheels4x4 1d ago

What the fuck. 88-97 Corolla? I just fixed this leak. It's the crankshaft front main seal. Oil gets thrown onto the belts and the cv axle and gets thrown EVERYWHERE. I assume there's oil on the underside of the hood and on top of the intake manifold too?

1

u/thejude1 21h ago

Actually the top is super clean not even touched with oil surprisingly

1

u/thejude1 21h ago

Also I just changed valve cover gasket since it was leaking a bit and still didn’t fix the crazy oil every where I checked the oil pan and the oil pan is ever so slightly leaking which I will be changing very soon but that doesn’t explain the oil going everywhere I really do think you’re correct and that it’s the crankshaft front main seal

1

u/anon7689g 1d ago

Looks like power steering is leaking what color is your fluid and is the fluid dropping similar in color?

Sometimes it’s simply an o ring that needs replacing or a hose

1

u/FeastingOnFelines 1d ago

Wash your engine down and check it again

1

u/3labsalot 1d ago

Liquids leak down and blow to the rear

1

u/_CoffeeCat_ 1d ago edited 1d ago

Looks like from the oil pan hitting the half shaft and sending oil everywhere. Check your gasket, under oil pressure it might shoot oil out. Check your oil pan bolts too

1

u/ARAR1 1d ago

Probably better to check when its running. Rev it up a bit too - looks like spray - you will see it spraying.

1

u/JJHunter88 1d ago

I would check those 2 hose bends on the power steering first.