Thread: TD5 engine oil leak

My first question is when did the leak start, just after an oil change?
If so is the spin on oil filter tight and are the centrifugal oil filter bolts tight enough, which is not very tight.
Have a look at the simple things first.
Regards Philip A

Originally Posted by PhilipA

My first question is when did the leak start, just after an oil change?
If so is the spin on oil filter tight and are the centrifugal oil filter bolts tight enough, which is not very tight.
Have a look at the simple things first.
Regards Philip A

I bought the car only a month ago so I'm not sure about when the leak has start... I'm going to do the service next week and I was asking me if was better to fix the leak before to do the service...
I'd like to specify that I'm going to do the complete service, changing every single oil in the car.

Originally Posted by bob10

I do it as part of my service routine. Part of the service routine is also disconnecting each electrical connection I can find, and hitting them with MAF cleaner. The MAF and the ECU [ oil in the loom ] get a clean up as well. Have to say, I can't remember finding moisture in any connection after pressure cleaning. I also recommend as part of your routine, take off all plastic covers under the vehicle, get a good torch, and have a slow, close look under the vehicle from front to back. This is how I found a leaky hub seal, on the left rear, fixed it before it got bad. I also get the pressure cleaner, and give underneath a real good clean, from front to back, up each side of the engine. Take it for a good drive,[ with the covers off] get it up to temp., then get under again. That's how I found the oil leak on the small flange under the power steering pump. I thought I had a leak around the gear box, or sump pan. The oil was blown back over the vehicle from the PAS. Replace lower covers, you're on your way! Bob

Thanks for the advices, I will try in that way

Originally Posted by discorevy

No more dangerous than oil leaks,
If you have compressed air you can blow out the connectors after
Otherwise buy a can of brake cleaner and remove the oil with that

Is the brake cleane corrosive for rubber or others?

Originally Posted by Ardo92

Is the brake cleane corrosive for rubber or others?

Some may think so , personally I have never seen any damage to rubber components after using it for years, mainly around brake components ( surprise:-) also to find oil leaks while on the hoist , it tends to evaporate before doing any damage ,also imagine the liability involved if rubber brake caliper components were damaged due to the use of brake cleaner. Oil left on rubber for a while will eventually do damage

Ardo

I've had mine down at Car Lovers and used the high pressure soap throughout the engine bay without adverse consequences. I use the yellow degreaser first, then high pressure soap, then rinse. It brings the engine up a treat. I don't direct the stream directly at wiring, but everything gets pretty wet.

Bob

May I suggest you have a feel under the turbocharger oil return line , WHEN IT IS COLD

There is (or sometimes isn't) a small convoluted or wave washer/gasket that leaks and it makes it a terrible mess.

You will feel an oil droplet if it is leaking.

The gasket(washer) costs about $1.50 and two small screws , I think 8mm hex head ,secure the flange.

Lift the pipe away gently , replace the washer and bolt it back up.

Little bit fiddly but not hard.

And if it's still leaking after this, use 2 washers, back to back (ie ripples facing up and down) which will take up the space if the pipe flange is warped (which it usually is by this age).

This trick stopped my long term leak here.