Toyota Avesis 2002 bleeding :(

Xcellor

I changed oil and filter about a month ago and have been on a few largish jorneys so decided to check oil to my surprise it was needing to be topped up. So I did that, then roll forward a week I check again and oil level has dropped again. Then I notice some oil stains on my drive... I thought maybe it was from when I serviced it but today I put it up on a ramp and had a look underneath and there is significant oil to the point that it is pooling and dripping in places.

First thing I checked was oil filter which is tight and no oil seeping, then the sump plug I tried tightening this and its tight. The oil appears to be coming from another location. I don't know where else to check. I'm doubting it had anything to do with the service I did...

I'm going to have to bring it into the garage I'm guessing but are there any DIYable things I check first?

Xcellor

Here is a pic which shows that oil must be splashing up!? This is miles away from both oil filter and sump plug

Xcellor

It's suspiciously close to oil cap. Could an oil cap that's not properly tightened do this??

Atlantic Dawn

Perhaps take off the oil cap and use a cloth to clean the threads on both the engine and on the cap itself, could be dirt gone in and it's causing a poor seal.

bonzodog2

Did you put the dipstick back in ?

Xcellor

Dipstick was put back. There is no oil around filter and sump plug is much lower from where it is dripping from. The only thing I can think of was that the oil cap was not tight but seems a large amount of oil and the underside is wet with oil.

Ive mopped up what I can see and tightened both sump (well wouldnt tighten anymore), cap and made sure dip stick is properly in. Tomorrow a trip to halfords to buy some oil. The car has always used oil which is common for this engine given its age (200,000 miles) but never dripped oil...

Xcellor

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Perhaps take off the oil cap and use a cloth to clean the threads on both the engine and on the cap itself, could be dirt gone in and it's causing a poor seal.

The oil cap was not screwed tightly there was probably another rotation. I just never would have imagined that much oil probably 1 litre could find its way out !! But at the moment there is no other obvious reason. I checked for any punctures in the sump but like I said the oil appears to be coming from higher up in the engine ..

jimgoose

Xcellor wrote: »

The oil cap was not screwed tightly there was probably another rotation. I just never would have imagined that much oil probably 1 litre could find its way out !! But at the moment there is no other obvious reason. I checked for any punctures in the sump but like I said the oil appears to be coming from higher up in the engine ..

It's hitting the back of the cam-cover at ~50psi and more - you'd be surprised.

tomwaterford

Clean off as much oil as you can...maybe power wash if you can and let it up on the ramps running until engine gets to working temp and keep an eye out for leaks??

Xcellor

jimgoose wrote: »

It's hitting the back of the cam-cover at ~50psi and more - you'd be surprised.

I had no idea. Well this certainly would explain the mess... The underside of my car is well oiled at least it will keep the rust at bay!

I'm gonna go on the assumption it has been coming from the oil cap and running down... Ill fill it up with oil tomorrow and monitor over the coming week. Im assuming if its anything else it's fairly terminal though??

jimgoose

Xcellor wrote: »

I had no idea. Well this certainly would explain the mess... The underside of my car is well oiled at least it will keep the rust at bay!

I'm gonna go on the assumption it has been coming from the oil cap and running down... Ill fill it up with oil tomorrow and monitor over the coming week. Im assuming if its anything else it's fairly terminal though??

Why would you assume such a thing? Everyone is like a bull lately to pronounce engines gone, kaput, finito, phucked, Ex-Parrots. It ain't over 'til it's over!

Xcellor

jimgoose wrote: »

Why would you assume such a thing? Everyone is like a bull lately to pronounce engines gone, kaput, finito, phucked, Ex-Parrots. It ain't over 'til it's over!

Well the car now is effectively worth nothing and anything costing over 500 euro I would prefer to put towards a new car.

I've driven her over 150,000 miles she owes me nothing. If it was engine work that's beyond my capabilities!

Wheelnut

Oil leaking out is not terminal, but oil leaking in might be. By that I mean oil entering the combustion space which might be caused by worn piston rings or valve guides. You may have found the cause with the loose cap, otherwise it could still be something simple such as a leaking pressure switch or breather hose.

bonzodog2

You could try cleaning around the oil filler cap, then temporarily fasten (if the design permits it) a wad of paper towels around the area, run the engine for a bit and see if they get oily

Xcellor

Wheelnut wrote: »

Oil leaking out is not terminal, but oil leaking in might be. By that I mean oil entering the combustion space which might be caused by worn piston rings or valve guides. You may have found the cause with the loose cap, otherwise it could still be something simple such as a leaking pressure switch or breather hose.

There still seemed to be some new oil on drive its hard to know if its new oil or just old oil heating up when the engine is on. If its still dripping oil in a weeks time I'd say its some hose that has ruptured. I filled the oil up to the higher level on the dip stick...

Xcellor

Just to update the thread in case anyone is interested.

I brought it into garage and they hosed it down and left it running on ramp but apparently couldnt spot any leak.

Roll forward a week and I feel the marks on my drive are fresh so still leaking. It's possible they just didn't spend enough time on it. They didn't charge for the clean up but I suspect that's coz they knew they'd be seeing me again!

If the weather is good this weekend Ill go under it and see if its easier to spot the culprit with it being cleaned...

X

5W30

Bring it to the garage ASAP. When the leaking is fresh they will be able to pinpoint exactly where it's coming from.

Don't let it wait. That is the whole purpose of cleaning the oil up, so it's easier to spot it.