Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Kate on 16 February 2008, 11:47:43

Title: Oil leak!
Post by: Kate on 16 February 2008, 11:47:43

Hi.  My car seems to have an oil leak. There is a puddle of oil on the ground at the back of the engine.  I keep checking the oil level with the diptick but it never goes down.  It's always spot on.

I had the oil and filter changed recently but if it was the filter or the plug leaking then the oil level would go down wouldn't it?

Do you think it could be gearbox oil?  Or some other fluid?

Thanks for your help. :y

Title: Re: Oil leak!
Post by: Danny on 16 February 2008, 11:49:28

could be cam cover gaskets failed, have you ran a cloth round the edgings of the cam covers??

can go unnoticed on the oil level, mine didnt "appear" to be losing any noticeable amount other than the puddle on the floor

Title: Re: Oil leak!
Post by: Kate on 16 February 2008, 11:53:40

The cover is clean as is the top of the engine in general.

Thanks. :y

Title: Re: Oil leak!
Post by: Tab on 16 February 2008, 11:53:45

can you smell burning oil when the car's running?

i'd agree with danny, most probably the cam gaskets leaking.

Title: Re: Oil leak!
Post by: Kate on 16 February 2008, 11:55:28

Can't smell oil. The cam cover is at the top of the engine isn't it?

Title: Re: Oil leak!
Post by: Danny on 16 February 2008, 11:57:38

Quote

Can't smell oil. The cam cover is at the top of the engine isn't it?

it is, wipe round underneath the edging all the way round

Title: Re: Oil leak!
Post by: Tab on 16 February 2008, 11:59:19

yeah there's 2 of em on a v6, they're the plastic tops that the plug leads go into.

can you see any oil dripping from the covers when it's running?

Title: Re: Oil leak!
Post by: Tab on 16 February 2008, 12:00:45

may not be the gaskets but it's the most common place for leaking oil on the v6's.

Title: Re: Oil leak!
Post by: Tab on 16 February 2008, 12:06:44

a pic of mine with the covers off..

(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j118/tab_2006/camgaskets012Medium.jpg)

and with the covers on...

(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j118/tab_2006/camgaskets010Medium.jpg)

might be some help to you.

Title: Re: Oil leak!
Post by: Kate on 16 February 2008, 14:29:10

No, it's really clean around the cam covers.  I had a look underneath and the sump is covered in oil.  Can oil leak out of the sump?  It looks like it's coming from above though.

Could it be the oil filter seal?

Thanks. :y

Title: Re: Oil leak!
Post by: Tab on 16 February 2008, 14:33:21

have you checked the power steering fluid, brake fluid aswell as the oil?
is it defo engine that's leaking?

and yes it could be the sump gasket leaking.

Title: Re: Oil leak!
Post by: VXL V6 on 16 February 2008, 16:05:31

Might be worth cleaning it all off so you can see where it's running down. Can leak from the back of the engine (camcover gaskets again) which can't be easily spotted due to it's location.

Oil filter / seal a possibility, again, cleaning the area might be the only way to spot the source.

Title: Re: Oil leak!
Post by: LFF64 on 16 February 2008, 16:17:43

Hi Kate I also have a leak on my car .as suggested check the power steering level this appears to be the problem on mine it collects on the plastic drip tray that is under the radiators. and is being blown back along the bottom edge of the block .
I am only loosing a small amount of oil but it seems to make a fair old mess  

Title: Re: Oil leak!
Post by: Kate on 16 February 2008, 18:52:58

Thanks.  Yes it could be power steering fluid as the pipe next to the reservoir looks oily. :y

Title: Re: Oil leak!
Post by: VXL V6 on 16 February 2008, 19:33:53

They have a habit of cracking and leaking......

Title: Re: Oil leak!
Post by: Kate on 17 February 2008, 13:22:54

Thanks.  :y  :I'm going to have another look now.  :-*