Oil seep

BaconandEggs

Hi all,

Just taken my car back from an MOT. Passed but tester mentioned there is some oil below engine - probably a slow leak.

I've not noticed any leakage on the drive where it's parked for 18 hours of the day. The oil level is currently ok and clean.

What's the best course of action? It doesn't sound like there's a majoy problem, but I'd like to make sure I do my best to prevent one from happening if possible.

One option would be to keep monitoring for an increase in oil loss (on the drive and checking oil level).

Another option would be to have the engine cleaned down and get a mechanic to monitor for leaks while the engine is running.

Hoping it's not on its way out.

Cheers,

mcjordi

does it have an undertray on it? oil could be collecting there.. best off cleaning off any carp/oil and monitering the level over a few weeks/month and go from there.. has it had an oil change recently?

BaconandEggs

Thanks McJordi. I don't think it does have an undertray - although I could be wrong - I'm not that knowledgeable about cars. It's a 2005 Ford Focus.

It had an oil change about 2 or 3 month ago.

mcjordi

newer shape focus i think.. so 99% sure it will do. might just be a small leak not enough to fall from the the undertray. might be worth getting someone to take undertray off and checking the sump plug area sounds like it could of either not been fitted with a new washer/seal or not tight enough.. is your oil level going down?

bigjl

You could try one of the "High Mileage" oils.

The one I have used to good effect before is Maxlife by Valvoline. Maxlife has additives that cat as "seal swellers", which can seal minor oil leaks.

Have you recently changed from conventional oil to fully synthetic as that has been known to cause some minor oil leaks.

BaconandEggs

Hi - thanks. I will get someone to look at that.

The oil level doesn't appear to be going down alot at all.

BaconandEggs

Thanks, I've heard of Maxlife before - I'll bear that in mind if I can't find anything obvious causing the leak.

colino

Before changing anything, get a bright torch and look for the "seep". It wll probably mean taking off some plastics and covers, and where it ends up might not be where the trail actually starts.
Could be trivial and you can keep your eye on, or might be something you are seeing the early signs of that mean you can take useful action now.

Notmyrealname

bigjl wrote: »

You could try one of the "High Mileage" oils.

The one I have used to good effect before is Maxlife by Valvoline. Maxlife has additives that cat as "seal swellers", which can seal minor oil leaks.

Oh dear god please don't.

1) They're a thicker oil which causes MORE wear in camshafts and lifters.

2) Seal swellers also harden the seals.

Back to the original problem....

If you don't need to top up the oil between services, just leave it. If you're using less than a litre of oil every few thousand miles, just leave it. In either case the leak isn't bad, won't suddenly get catastrophic and it'll cost you more to repair than to top up the oil, especially as Kwik Fit do free top ups up to a litre.

There are a lot of cars that have had minor leaks for years and the owners not known about them. However they're now an advisory on MOTs where they weren't before so more people will be aware.

LincolnshireYokel

Over the years ive had various slow oil drips from various cars ive owned, almost all of the seal themselves up again after a while, although one did take two years..........................

Norman_Castle

I've had a slight leak for 5+ years pointed out at mot time. There's always a drop of oil about to drip from the sump plug possibly from the head or rocker cover gasket. Oil level never drops. I think it leaks a little while warming up then stops when warm. Just keep an eye on the oil level and check for leaks underneath at regular intervals.