Oil Patch Under My Car

Live4Ever

Hey Lads,

Bought a new car last night. It was serviced etc the day before. When I went out this morning I noticed an oil patch when I moved the car.

Could the oil cap or something be loose or not fitted on correctly? My Da said when he got his car a year ago it had the same problem, turned out to be something simple like a loose cap.

I have it parked again as I'm in work but I will check at lunchtime to see if there is another patch under the car, if so I should probably bring it back to the garage asap?

Thanks!

Live4Ever

Live4Ever wrote: »

............. if so I should probably bring it back to the garage asap?

Thanks!

Do that, it could be leaking from the sump.

johnayo

Keep a close watch on the oil level. It may have just been serviced and the oil that drained from the oil filter while it was being changed may not have been cleaned off properly.

Live4Ever

Thanks for the quick responses, I will check under the car at lunch, maybe even breaktime, I will also check the oil level.

If its leaking from the sump like you suggested is that something to worry about, obviously any work needed will be under warranty.

Thanks!

corktina

are we talking a puddle of oil?,in which case you should be worried. If its just a drip or two, no panic necessary.

Of course it may not even be from your car if it was in a public place and dont forget if it was wet, one oil drip spreads a long way.

Live4Ever

Well I parked it on the drive last night, there was a round circle of oil under the car about 5inches in diameter there this morning....

Then two small patches about the size of a 2euro coin when I checked 10mins ago. I rang the garage he said there's probably a loose cap, so I'm bringing it down at lunctime so they can check it! Better safe than sorry I guess!

keithclancy

Probably didn't bother replacing the copper washer.

It costs less than a Euro, don't know why people don't do it every time

listermint

keithclancy wrote: »

Probably didn't bother replacing the copper washer.

It costs less than a Euro, don't know why people don't do it every time

If it doesnt come in the filter box, most garages wont bother. Lazy...

illegalpower

Have you opened the bonnet to see if they remembered to put the oil filler cap on after the service. Might sound silly but this happened me a few years ago. Could also just be a loose sump plug or loose oil filter as they may not have bothered doing the service properly

keithclancy

keithclancy wrote: »

............ don't know why people don't do it every time

Probably because they rarely leak and if they are going to it would be obvious enough that it wasn't sealed properly

Nissan doctor

Not all cars use a copper washer or require the sump plug seal to be replaced every time.


This is also why the correct procedure after changing the oil/servicing a car is to run the engine untill up to temperature to check for leaks BEFORE the car goes back to the customer.

keithclancy

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Not all cars use a copper washer or require the sump plug seal to be replaced every time.


This is also why the correct procedure after changing the oil/servicing a car is to run the engine untill up to temperature to check for leaks BEFORE the car goes back to the customer.

Of course not, you can get away with using it a few times, but for such a cheap part, why not replace it

corktina

Live4Ever wrote: »

Well I parked it on the drive last night, there was a round circle of oil under the car about 5inches in diameter there this morning....

Then two small patches about the size of a 2euro coin when I checked 10mins ago. I rang the garage he said there's probably a loose cap, so I'm bringing it down at lunctime so they can check it! Better safe than sorry I guess!

not good, but two patches would suggest to me its spraying round the engine bay from a missing filler cap or similar and dripping down from two places.

Moanin

Live4Ever wrote: »

Hey Lads,

Bought a new car last night. It was serviced etc the day before. When I went out this morning I noticed an oil patch when I moved the car.

Could the oil cap or something be loose or not fitted on correctly? My Da said when he got his car a year ago it had the same problem, turned out to be something simple like a loose cap.

I have it parked again as I'm in work but I will check at lunchtime to see if there is another patch under the car, if so I should probably bring it back to the garage asap?

Thanks!

Are you sure it's oil (not trying to be smart), but it could be after from your aircon on (if you had it on)? If it's oil it maybe that the bung wasn't tightened after servicing.

Live4Ever

Well lads,

Just back from the garage.

Apparently the screw and thread at the bottom of the oil sump is worn out due to wear and tear which is causing it to drip slightly. He said that they're ordering the part and it will be ready to be installed tommorrow or Friday. He also said the ammount dripping out is minimal and it will be fine to drive until it's fixed!

Thanks for the input, sounds like a simple fix....

Nissan doctor

keithclancy wrote: »

Of course not, you can get away with using it a few times, but for such a cheap part, why not replace it

I'm not talking about not replacing copper washers, They are crush seal washers and should alsways be replaced.
I'm talking about many modern cars which have rubber seals or metal seals made onto the sump plug, they are designed to last for x amount of oil changes and to replace them means buying a new sump bung.


On the subject of the OP's leak. Another thing that can happen when your not carfull/knowalagable about what your doing is to not check that the oil seal from the old filter has come off with it, sometimes they stick to the block and when you fit the new filter it won't seal correctly.

Moanin

Live4Ever wrote: »

Well lads,

Just back from the garage.

Apparently the screw and thread at the bottom of the oil sump is worn out due to wear and tear which is causing it to drip slightly. He said that they're ordering the part and it will be ready to be installed tommorrow or Friday. He also said the ammount dripping out is minimal and it will be fine to drive until it's fixed!

Thanks for the input, sounds like a simple fix....

If the thread in the sump is worn then you may need a new sump?

Live4Ever

Moanin wrote: »

If the thread in the sump is worn then you may need a new sump?

Well he said it was a matter of replacing the thread and the screw part, so I guess not, he said it would take 30mins to an hour so I doubt he's replacing the whole lot? Apparently its due to wear and tear from previous oil changes....