Please identify this fluid leak

[BorniteIdentity]

Hey.

 

So just gone to do an oil change on the Avensis, and it's become very messy since I was last under here bout 3 months ago.

 

I'm not a mechanic, just someone who learnt to do oil, filters and plugs from an internet video.

 

Any ideas? The car does use a bit of oil, but it's been doing that since forever. This is the first sign of mess.

 

All help appreciated. Even if it's just to laugh at my ignorance.

 

 

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[bunglebus]

Looks like it's coming from the transmission rather than engine oil - sounds mad but smell it. Engine oil, auto fluid and especially manual gearbox oil have distinct aromas.

[BorniteIdentity]

Agreed.

 

I say that because I just asked my friendly mechanic on FB and he says it's likely to be gearbox oil. Probably a seal.

 

I agreed.

 

(!)

[Tickman]

Looking at the pictures I also thought gearbox oil.

[twosmoke300]

That's miles away from the box -that cv joint is going to the centre bearing on the shaft .

I'd go with pas pump or a high up engine oil leak

[Mally]

I thought it was normal.

All mine look like that.

[Guest Hooli]

Hard to tell without seeing higher up.

 

Can you wash it down with degreaser & then keep an eye on it to see where the leak starts from?

[Timewaster]

What you are seeing there is a symptom. The problem could be higher up as others have suggested.

Have you checked pas fluid levels?

Is there a breather pipe split?

Something silly like the dip stick not all of the way in?

 

Anything on the exhaust side of the engine would likely smell or smoke.

 

A small amount of oil can make a massive mess. That lot could have been less than an egg cup full.

[BorniteIdentity]

It has developed a bit of a PAS fluid leak in the last couple of years so it could be that. However, I wouldn't say it has lost more than about 15 ml since I filled it at Xmas.

 

It has always used oil since about 150k. No visible leak has ever been spotted so assumed a bit of consumption. 1 litre every 5k so nothing drastic.

 

Brake fluid all fine. Coolant very stable.

[bunglebus]

I recommend Dr. Magic™ oven cleaner from Asda (£1 a can), fantastic degreaser that smells delightful*.

[dollywobbler]

My Honda was suffering oily block. Turned out to be the cam cover gasket. XUDs often suffer in the same way.

[SiC]

Haven't spilt oil down the side of the engine when doing the oil change? That's my favourite trick and even managed to get a MOT advisory one year as an oil leak.

[BorniteIdentity]

I haven't changed it for a while. I did put some in the other day tho and spill it.

 

I might be being stupid here (!)

[sierraman]

Looks like PAS fluid to me, it has this habit of picking up all sorts of bits of shit in it like that.

 

If it was the crank end seal it would be at the base of the bellhousing plus by the time it was that bad the clutch would be slipping like a twat. I'd just check what fluids are down before I made any assumptions.

[Vince70]

Look on the bright side whatever is leaking is giving it some decent rust protection underneath.

[somewhatfoolish]

As Nanook said to his mate; you've blown a seal. Perhaps. Give it a sniff to see if it reeks of horribleness, in which case it's gear oil and the diff output seals have gone on strike.

[BorniteIdentity]

Look on the bright side whatever is leaking is giving it some decent rust protection underneath.

 

This is the single reason that the Sierra bASe still is in existance.  OPEC are keen to get us on board atm.

[alf892]

That is not a leak........it is a seep!

 

Deposits from proper leaks have a clean line where the escaping fluid washes the crap away.

 

Correct action is to note and check levels for a few trips.......then ignore

[BorniteIdentity]

I've got a feeling that I sloshed 10w40 everywhere the other morning when the light came on at 0500 on the A1M.  Either that, or I put too much in (in a hurry) and it's making its way out again.

 

I'mma check the levels again in a bit.

 

Thanks all.

[Rod/b]

Keep checking levels regularly and stop worrying.

 

HTH.

[hpi_matrix]

That looks like every car ive ever owned

[martc]

I recommend Dr. Magic™ oven cleaner from Asda (£1 a can), fantastic degreaser that smells delightful*.

 

 I DON'T recommend Dr. Magic™ oven cleaner from Asda (£1 a can), fantastic degreaser that smells delightful*. It's probably full of caustic and the oily bits of your car look like they are made from alloy.

 

If you try cleaning alloy with caustic you could well find a definite cause for an oil leak - sodding big holes as Dr Magic magics away your alloy.

[bunglebus]

Hmm fair point - I might do a test on a bit of scrap. It's still bloody good for de-greasing shite though!

[bunglebus]

How long shall I leave an alloy suspension arm, a galvanised bracket, a stainless steel knife and a steel track rod end in Dr. Magic™?

 

 

[Dave_Q]

That's some shit hot science there son, keep us up to date.

 

My money is in on the suspension arm lasting overnight with no notable degradation of anything but dirt.

[bunglebus]

Cheers dad - I tend to agree. There was some white residue left from the cleaner but a quick wash and brush up reveals no obvious problems;

 

 

[Mally]

It sure works.

Could have probably left the suspension arm in about 10 years though.

[Dave_Q]

Cheers dad - I tend to agree. There was some white residue left from the cleaner but a quick wash and brush up reveals no obvious problems;

 

 

 

I'll have to take your word for it as photobucket has decided I can't see the pics.

[bunglebus]

Don't, I'm fucking fuming. Imagine several metal parts, with foam on them. Then imagine the same parts, looking slightly cleaner and in no way deteriorated. That's about it.

[overrun]

Looks like PAS fluid to me, it has this habit of picking up all sorts of bits of shit in it like that.

 

If it was the crank end seal it would be at the base of the bellhousing plus by the time it was that bad the clutch would be slipping like a twat. I'd just check what fluids are down before I made any assumptions.

 

Agreed. Definitely has a look of PAS fluid about it.