Oil seep

[Gary687]

Hi guys

My 4200 still never ceases to delight and I'm loving every day driving it but about 3 weeks ago, I noticed a small section of the front part of the engine looking a bit 'grubby/oily' so cleaned it all up and all was well again.

When I checked again today you can just make out a small bit of oil seep (as per the red ringed section in the picture I've hopefully attached!!)

Now the car is due for it's service in early Jan and it seems a very small amount for the 3-week period since it was last cleaned off but....

A) Should I be worried?

B) Does anyone know what this bit of seepage might be

C) Does anyone know if it's a big labour-intensive job to sort out!!

As ever, all help and advice greatly appreciated!!!!!

Cheers

Gary

 

[2b1ask1]

I'd doubt it will develop rapidly and highly unlikely to lead to any catastrophic failure, so it is more a cosmetic thing. I would be concerned if you needed a drip tray whenever you stop. If you get it done I would say go independent for sure...

 

[CatmanV2]

May not be a preferred solution, but should certainly keep the problem at bay for some time:

http://www.frost.co.uk/automotive-gaskets-sealers-tools/oyltite-stik.html

C

 

[Gary687]

Thanks for the swift replies guys.

2b1 - I'm thinking like you in that it's such a small amount I'm after reassurance it shouldn't really matter too muchha ha!! There's never any residue on the garage floor either so it really is a small amount I guess. My mate owns the Independent garage so he'll be doing the work - certainly not a Main Stealer!!

Catman - the does look a very interesting product for sure so maybe something for me to consider. Anyone used this at all??

Cheers

Gary

 

[2b1ask1]

Different marque but I had a Kia 10 years ago and honestly they stated (when I was complaining about a significant leak) that up to 1 litre of loss per 100 miles was 'tolerable'!!!! It was like an old Triumph motorcycle....

 

[mjheathcote]

May not be a preferred solution, but should certainly keep the problem at bay for some time:

http://www.frost.co.uk/automotive-gaskets-sealers-tools/oyltite-stik.html

C

It's what is know as 'corking' in years gone by.

 

[Gary687]

I know very little about engines but 1 litre per 100 seems a lot even to me ha ha!! I've had the car 8 months or so, check the oil every week and have yet to need to top it up - another reason why I'm thinking I might be OK with just this ooze...

MJ -never heard of corking but can understand the reference....maybe more common than I thought then generally!

Cheers boys

G

 

[conaero]

Gary, are you sure its seeping out of the gasket or could it be dripping down from above.

If its the first thing, I would be less worried as the others have suggested, but if its dripping from the oil pump, I would get it checked out asap as there is some history with this component's seals that you need to catch quick.

 

[Gary687]

Hi Conaero

I will examine much more thoroughly tomorrow (it's evening here now) and report back given that latest piece of info but from what I could see previously there is no residue from above and dripping down - it's more like slightly being pushed out from that little gap maybe?? Anyway, thanks for the heads up and tomorrow's inspection will reveal more.

Cheers and update to follow....

G

 

[CatmanV2]

Thanks for the swift replies guys.

2b1 - I'm thinking like you in that it's such a small amount I'm after reassurance it shouldn't really matter too muchha ha!! There's never any residue on the garage floor either so it really is a small amount I guess. My mate owns the Independent garage so he'll be doing the work - certainly not a Main Stealer!!

Catman - the does look a very interesting product for sure so maybe something for me to consider. Anyone used this at all??


Cheers

Gary

The old Alfa 4 pots (single spark DHOC) had issues with the cam covers weeping (rather more than that). I found it solved the issue, but didn't cause any more issues, if that makes sense.

C

 

[Geofflyn]

Hi guys

My 4200 still never ceases to delight and I'm loving every day driving it but about 3 weeks ago, I noticed a small section of the front part of the engine looking a bit 'grubby/oily' so cleaned it all up and all was well again.

When I checked again today you can just make out a small bit of oil seep (as per the red ringed section in the picture I've hopefully attached!!)

Now the car is due for it's service in early Jan and it seems a very small amount for the 3-week period since it was last cleaned off but....

A) Should I be worried?

B) Does anyone know what this bit of seepage might be

C) Does anyone know if it's a big labour-intensive job to sort out!!

As ever, all help and advice greatly appreciated!!!!!

Cheers

Gary

Drive it seriously hard, the metal gets hot and expands and crimps down on the gasket thus sealing the leak... This is only effective at over 160 kmh and while the smile remains on your face....

 

[CatmanV2]

LOL!

Love it

C

 

[Gary687]

OK fellas further investigation reveals that above it/around it is bone-dry so to answer Conaero's question in my eyes it would appear to be seeping just from that area highlighted in the pic. It's been 2 days since it was cleaned off and still nothing coming out so I would assume it is an incredibly slow ooze rather than a full-on leak? The fact that it's still clean today and also in the time I've owned the car it has had precisely zero oil added and there is nothing on the garage floor would suggest it is tiny. I guess if the cost to repair it is cheap then I'll get it done but if it runs into many hundreds (and over here that is not hard to do!!) I may use the other sealant stuff spoke of earlier....we shall see!!

As for Geoff's advice - I love it!! Downside (as he knows!!) is over here the speed limits are even lower than in the UK so I only really 'poodle' around....but even that doesn't save me :-( Got my first speeding fine last week - 94km/h in a 70 = $366 fine and a loss of 4 points! I wouldn't mind so much but the static car the Old Bill used was an unmarked silver Mitsubishi Pajero (Shogun in the UK?); no signage on it or around it; it was at 5.15am; I had literally just left the 80km/h zone and this car was parked 10 feet inside the 70km/h zone so hardly a heinous crime.......Grrrrrr!!

Cheers

G

 

[2b1ask1]

That's a tough one Gary, stealth tax methods, makes you angry and just shows them to be lazy sods, not interested in solving real crimes but able to say 'Yeah we're cracking down on dangerous speeding in urban areas'. = Shooting fish in a barrel!

 

[Gary687]

Unfortunately very true!