Leaking Oil
#1
12-20-2006 | 08:27 PM
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 96
From: Shitsville
Leaking Oil
The DIY forum didn't have a button to create a new post, and I have a TT, so....I posted here 
Anyway, I changed the oil in my wife's car on December 10, with what the manual said to put in it (5w30 full synthetic), and now I have some spots on the drive where the oil has leaked from her car. One was fresh enough that I got oil on the end of my finger when I touched it last night. She hasn't had the car more than 2 or 3 months, and the maintenance history hasn't been filled out at all, so I don't know if the prior owner put full synthetic oil or what in there. I'm wondering if it is coming from the oil filter, which I placed on hand-tight, then tightened a little more with a wrench (probably about 1/4 turn). Assuming the previous owner actually didn't use the right oil, would it be possible that the synthetic cleaned the engine too much and a seal somewhere has turned loose causing the engine to drip? The amount of oil on the driveway isn't excessive, so could it be that whatever was leaking isn't anymore, after having the new oil running through the engine now for a couple of weeks?
Thanks guys.....i really hope something isn't seriously wrong [&o]
Anyway, I changed the oil in my wife's car on December 10, with what the manual said to put in it (5w30 full synthetic), and now I have some spots on the drive where the oil has leaked from her car. One was fresh enough that I got oil on the end of my finger when I touched it last night. She hasn't had the car more than 2 or 3 months, and the maintenance history hasn't been filled out at all, so I don't know if the prior owner put full synthetic oil or what in there. I'm wondering if it is coming from the oil filter, which I placed on hand-tight, then tightened a little more with a wrench (probably about 1/4 turn). Assuming the previous owner actually didn't use the right oil, would it be possible that the synthetic cleaned the engine too much and a seal somewhere has turned loose causing the engine to drip? The amount of oil on the driveway isn't excessive, so could it be that whatever was leaking isn't anymore, after having the new oil running through the engine now for a couple of weeks?
Thanks guys.....i really hope something isn't seriously wrong [&o]
#2
12-20-2006 | 08:52 PM
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,436
From: San Diego & Santa Cruz, CA
RE: Leaking Oil
ORIGINAL: Mikefc626
The DIY forum didn't have a button to create a new post, and I have a TT, so....I posted here
Anyway, I changed the oil in my wife's car on December 10, with what the manual said to put in it (5w30 full synthetic), and now I have some spots on the drive where the oil has leaked from her car. One was fresh enough that I got oil on the end of my finger when I touched it last night. She hasn't had the car more than 2 or 3 months, and the maintenance history hasn't been filled out at all, so I don't know if the prior owner put full synthetic oil or what in there. I'm wondering if it is coming from the oil filter, which I placed on hand-tight, then tightened a little more with a wrench (probably about 1/4 turn). Assuming the previous owner actually didn't use the right oil, would it be possible that the synthetic cleaned the engine too much and a seal somewhere has turned loose causing the engine to drip? The amount of oil on the driveway isn't excessive, so could it be that whatever was leaking isn't anymore, after having the new oil running through the engine now for a couple of weeks?
Thanks guys.....i really hope something isn't seriously wrong [&o]
The DIY forum didn't have a button to create a new post, and I have a TT, so....I posted here
Anyway, I changed the oil in my wife's car on December 10, with what the manual said to put in it (5w30 full synthetic), and now I have some spots on the drive where the oil has leaked from her car. One was fresh enough that I got oil on the end of my finger when I touched it last night. She hasn't had the car more than 2 or 3 months, and the maintenance history hasn't been filled out at all, so I don't know if the prior owner put full synthetic oil or what in there. I'm wondering if it is coming from the oil filter, which I placed on hand-tight, then tightened a little more with a wrench (probably about 1/4 turn). Assuming the previous owner actually didn't use the right oil, would it be possible that the synthetic cleaned the engine too much and a seal somewhere has turned loose causing the engine to drip? The amount of oil on the driveway isn't excessive, so could it be that whatever was leaking isn't anymore, after having the new oil running through the engine now for a couple of weeks?
Thanks guys.....i really hope something isn't seriously wrong [&o]
#4
12-20-2006 | 09:04 PM
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,436
From: San Diego & Santa Cruz, CA
RE: Leaking Oil
ORIGINAL: cincyTT
when you change the filter did some oil spill on the engine and other things below it? it could just be some of the oil that was dripping that was spilled when changing the filter.
when you change the filter did some oil spill on the engine and other things below it? it could just be some of the oil that was dripping that was spilled when changing the filter.
#5
12-20-2006 | 09:05 PM
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 96
From: Shitsville
RE: Leaking Oil
Nope, didn't spill any when I did it. And when I took the drain plug out it was in really, really good shape.
Sorry for posting about a car that has nothing to do with this area, but this is the one I frequently use.
Sorry for posting about a car that has nothing to do with this area, but this is the one I frequently use.
#6
12-20-2006 | 09:15 PM
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,436
From: San Diego & Santa Cruz, CA
RE: Leaking Oil
ORIGINAL: Mikefc626
Nope, didn't spill any when I did it. And when I took the drain plug out it was in really, really good shape.
Sorry for posting about a car that has nothing to do with this area, but this is the one I frequently use.
Nope, didn't spill any when I did it. And when I took the drain plug out it was in really, really good shape.
Sorry for posting about a car that has nothing to do with this area, but this is the one I frequently use.
#7
12-21-2006 | 09:37 AM
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,772
RE: Leaking Oil
I know that on the TT there are two major spots that it will start to leak from, I have had both, the dipstick tube will crack and leak a small amount, and also the valve cover gasket will fail and leak, but we need to know what kind of car she drives as it will impact answers.
#8
12-21-2006 | 11:31 AM
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 74
RE: Leaking Oil
My TT is going through major oil consumption. I bought it with 37,000 miles on it, and they changed the oil in it while I was doing the paper work on it the day I bought it. Less than one thousand miles later, my low oil light came on, and I went to autozone and discovered it was 2 quarts low. I filled it, and then did an oil change myself so I could keep accurate milage between changes. 2000 miles later, my low oil light comes on again, and this time it was about 1.5 qt low. I cannot find evidence of a leak down below, but there is some oil that I noticed around the dip stick area and intake cover. I doubt it is burning it. I dunno? I searched the valve cover and the seals below, but nothing. I got rid of all of my DSMs so I wouldnt have anymoore problems, and it seems that is all that I am having.
#9
12-21-2006 | 02:55 PM
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,772
RE: Leaking Oil
Check a few things, look at the base of your dipstick tube, check your pcv valve on your intake tube, mine was going bad and I was leaking oil into the intake hose, make sure you check your lines to your turbo as it may be leaking there as well. When in doubt change your valve cover gasket and your pcv valve and the dipstick tube. Remember that when you change the oil that you need to get a new copper washer to make a good seal on your oil pan or else you will lose oil there. You can find everything at www.ecstuning.comfor about 40 bucks or less. Good luck.