Is This An Oil Leak?

[as400]

Car has been standing for 3 weeks, moved today and saw this small leak...I think coming from the engine area.

Its been recently serviced so the oil that in it is new..I used a fresh white hanky to dab it so you can see the colour, not a thick viscosity.

 

[t-tony]

Give us a clue. What area under the car was the oil? Front left, fight. Sump plug?

Tony.

 

[as400]

Well very central for sure more towards the cabin area than the front. Had a slightly greasy feel to it.

 

[t-tony]

I would check the sump plug is tight and has a new copper washer. Also check the level in the brake fluid reservoir as the clutch cylinder is fed from the same reservoir and it could be leaking.

Tony.

 

[as400]

Thanks Tony, will make an appointment on Monday morning.

 

[Pond]

Looks like brake fluid to me. Did you have any new pads or discs recently? Easy to spill out the top of the reservoir if you don't bleed from the calipers when changing pads (ask me how I know)!

 

[Dxbolton]

It’s only marking its territory.
I get odd spots like this occasionally which doesn’t worry me, it’s the large slicks I used to get under my previous car that was an issue.

 

[t-tony]

There was a guy where I used to work who used to put a car on a the ramp and start by checking and topping up all the levels under the bonnet, including the brake fluid. Later when he went telling the boss it needed new brake pads he pushed the pistons back and dumped the fluid all over the floor. And, he’s still there and probably still doing the same thing.

Tony.

 

[as400]

Yes I went out this morning and there was nothing there. Had new braided clutch hose fitted a couple of weeks back.

 

[Pond]

Had new braided clutch hose fitted a couple of weeks back.

Brake hoses?

Have a look around the top of the brake fluid reservoir (in front of the master cylinder) to see if there is fluid around there. If there is it is a sure sign is has squirted out the cap. If it is brake fluid I would clear any up that is lying around in the engine bay; as it is not nice stuff.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

There was a guy where I used to work who used to put a car on a the ramp and start by checking and topping up all the levels under the bonnet, including the brake fluid. Later when he went telling the boss it needed new brake pads he pushed the pistons back and dumped the fluid all over the floor. And, he’s still there and probably still doing the same thing.

Tony.

So much for evolution. There's some very stupid people around, which may explain why I do my own stuff. Mustn't hang about, got some work to do on one of my bikes, shiny new suspension. Looks luvverly.

 

[as400]

Seemed to go away, havn't been out for a couple of weeks, had a quick look under again and the few drops are back...can you tell what this bit is?

 

[Rudyrov]

Seemed to go away, havn't been out for a couple of weeks, had a quick look under again and the few drops are back...can you tell what this bit is?

View attachment 286533

Touch it and see what it feels like, most likely oil.

 

[t-tony]

Can't be anything else but gearbox oil dripping off the drain plug.

Tony.

 

[as400]

Can't be anything else but gearbox oil dripping off the drain plug.

Tony.

Thanks Tony, yes hopefully the second picture should reveal the culprit, is this something to be concerned about?...it had new oil at a service about 3 months ago.

 

[t-tony]

Only concern would be the mess it leaves where it has stood really. It relies on the taper of the plug to seal the thread. Usually you can stop this leak by winding load of PTFE tape around the plug before refitting it.

Tony.

 

[Duncodin]

Smell it.

Different fluids have different smells that you get used to.

Assumung you don't know what things smell lke stick your nose in the brake fluid resevoir and see what that smells like and compare with the rag off the floor.

It the engine oil was recently done then, as tony said, check the sump plug. But sometimes the messy bu**ers just spill oil down the side of the engine that eventually finds its way on to your floor

 

[t-tony]

Read my post again.

Tony.

 

[Pond]

Smell it.

Different fluids have different smells that you get used to.

Assumung you don't know what things smell lke stick your nose in the brake fluid resevoir and see what that smells like and compare with the rag off the floor.

It the engine oil was recently done then, as tony said, check the sump plug. But sometimes the messy bu**ers just spill oil down the side of the engine that eventually finds its way on to your floor

You've got a better sense of smell than me. Brake fluid doesn't smell of anything IME, fresh oil also. Screenwash is the only fluid in a car that smells strong to me and I doubt it's that!

 

[t-tony]

You should have a whiff of the Auto Box oil Dave got for his Z3 on the last shed day. You could smell that a mile away.

Tony.