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Car leaking a lot of oil I’ve just noticed

  • 10-09-2018 10:37pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,639 ✭✭✭


    I was in the company of a hydraulic expert a few days ago and I asked him to check oil after the car was idle for 2 hours. I’ve a sloped driveway and never know what true level it’s at as a result as that’s where I park over night

    It was at 0 but serviced 3 mths ago

    Anyway Either 2 or 4 L was added by him. He deals with digger engines all the time. An old gentleman.

    I’m wondering if too much was added

    Pls see pic is that an overflow for oil ?

    It’s leaking from the pipe in the second pic. I’m clueless about mechanics


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 84,760 ✭✭✭✭Atlantic Dawn
    M


    Does the car have a dipstick to check the oil (some cars don't like newer model BMW's), have you checked it to see what it's reading?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭Muppet Man


    Are you sure that's not water from an air conditioning unit? Dip your fingers in it. Oil will be brown.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,157 ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    Muppet Man wrote: »
    Are you sure that's not water from an air conditioning unit? Dip your fingers in it. Oil will be brown.

    Yes. That was my first thought. It looks like an AC outlet pipe is pictured here.

    OP, what car is it. Make, model, year and engine please.

    And is it oil at all? Park your car somewhere level, turn it off and after 2 minutes or so check your oil level. If the car has a dip stick, then pull it out all the way, wipe with a rag/tissue and insert all the way back in. Then pull it out again and see where the oil level is.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,639 ✭✭✭worded


    I’ve left it over night on the flat and can dip it accurately tomorrow

    Car is a Honda Accord 07

    If it’s the AC punctured can I drive on it?

    Thanks for the advise !


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,639 ✭✭✭worded


    Yes. That was my first thought. It looks like an AC outlet pipe is pictured here.

    OP, what car is it. Make, model, year and engine please.

    And is it oil at all? Park your car somewhere level, turn it off and after 2 minutes or so check your oil level. If the car has a dip stick, then pull it out all the way, wipe with a rag/tissue and insert all the way back in. Then pull it out again and see where the oil level is.

    It looked very clear liquid. I left the car as soon as I posted here, wasn’t expecting such quick replies .
    I dipped for oil and it was near 0 but it had only
    Been idle for 30 mins or so

    Thanks all

    It’s a 2L Petrol 07 Honda Accord


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,605 ✭✭✭gctest50


    While your at it - steering rack gaiter looks torn ? (maybe - hard to see )


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,292 ✭✭✭TheBoyConor


    Does the car have a dipstick to check the oil (some cars don't like newer model BMW's), have you checked it to see what it's reading?


    Really?
    How are you supposed to check the oil level without a dip stick?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,907 ✭✭✭✭CJhaughey


    That black pipe with the angled edge is the aircon condenser drain, not oil.
    If you are running low on oil its because its probably burning it, you need to service it more frequently, the K20 engine likes fresh oil (as do most engines).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,639 ✭✭✭worded


    CJhaughey wrote: »
    That black pipe with the angled edge is the aircon condenser drain, not oil.
    If you are running low on oil its because its probably burning it, you need to service it more frequently, the K20 engine likes fresh oil (as do most engines).

    Hi,

    She is due a Servoce in Oct and is usually well maintained but I slipped up and didn’t expect her to drink so much oil close to Servoce date

    How much oil with average driving do I need to top up by ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,138 ✭✭✭Gregor Samsa


    Really?
    How are you supposed to check the oil level without a dip stick?

    Oil level can be read electronically on the dash cluster. You get a warning when it goes low. Bit like the way you don't need a dipstick to check your fuel level.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNdKKKDz1ss


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,907 ✭✭✭✭CJhaughey


    worded wrote: »
    Hi,

    She is due a Servoce in Oct and is usually well maintained but I slipped up and didn’t expect her to drink so much oil close to Servoce date

    How much oil with average driving do I need to top up by ?

    Hard to say, park on flat and after 5 mins with a warm engine check oil level, add small amounts say 200ml and see what height that gives you it may only be a small amount burned.
    Some engines like certain oils, What brand are you using weight and viscosity?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,292 ✭✭✭TheBoyConor


    phutyle wrote: »
    Oil level can be read electronically on the dash cluster. You get a warning when it goes low. Bit like the way you don't need a dipstick to check your fuel level.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNdKKKDz1ss

    Still would be no harm to have an actual dipstick as a backup for when the electronic meter fails after a few years.
    Plus, the oil level is such a critical thing, much more so than fuel, I don't know whether I'd trust the accuracy of an electronic oil level gauge in the long run. Especially if they are anything like fuel gauges which can be wildly inaccurate.
    It would be safer to have a dipstick as a backup and it would be a negligible cost.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,157 ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    worded wrote: »
    It looked very clear liquid. I left the car as soon as I posted here, wasn’t expecting such quick replies .
    I dipped for oil and it was near 0 but it had only
    Been idle for 30 mins or so

    Thanks all

    It’s a 2L Petrol 07 Honda Accord

    Never mind running the engine beforehand. Just park it on a flat, level surface, turn it off and wait a minute or two and check the oil level. And be sure you are reading the marker correctly, if you're unsure you can post pictures here.

    What concerns me here is that in your first post you mention that the engine had "2 or 4 litres of oil added". This engine has a capacity of 4 litres, so there is simply no chance that it was topped up by 4, and I would say there is very little chance it was topped up by 2, as that in itself is a lot.

    CJhaughey has good advice, just top up by little bits at a time. But like I said, check the oil properly and make absolutely sure it needs it before proceeding.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,138 ✭✭✭Gregor Samsa


    Still would be no harm to have an actual dipstick as a backup for when the electronic meter fails after a few years.
    Plus, the oil level is such a critical thing, much more so than fuel, I don't know whether I'd trust the accuracy of an electronic oil level gauge in the long run. Especially if they are anything like fuel gauges which can be wildly inaccurate.
    It would be safer to have a dipstick as a backup and it would be a negligible cost.

    Sure, let them know: https://www.bmw.com/en/footer/contact.html


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