Dropped all of its oil on the road

**Lukeis** · 27th November 2019, 04:18 PM

I arrived to my car this afternoon to find ALL of the oil on the ground.

Last week it had two things done:

1) timing belt service inc belts and pump etc - done by mechanic
2) oil and filter change - done by me

Is there a likely cause for this in those two jobs?

In terms of point 2 - i used a pump to extract the oil from the dip stick chamber instead of taking the plug out so we should rule an incorrect tightening out from that job, also the filter appears to be seated correctly and no oil around it.

leaves either an issue with job 1 - or perhaps I put too much oil in and something has given way? If so, what would have leaked the oil?

**DiscoJeffster** · 27th November 2019, 04:20 PM

Follow the trail from the engine component for the source would be the first step.
Very odd though.

**Lukeis** · 27th November 2019, 04:23 PM

I’m sitting here waiting for the tow truck - as there is no oil I’m reluctant to start the car to raise the suspension so I can crawl under. Thought I’d see if anyone has any insights

**DiscoJeffster** · 27th November 2019, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by Lukeis

I’m sitting here waiting for the tow truck - as there is no oil I’m reluctant to start the car to raise the suspension so I can crawl under. Thought I’d see if anyone has any insights

Yes don’t start it! A little oil goes a long way but don’t risk it without a thorough investigation

**BradC** · 27th November 2019, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

Yes don’t start it! A little oil goes a long way but don’t risk it without a thorough investigation

Mine did that after a new oil pump. It pushed the front crank seal out. Apparently the word from the mechanics was they and a batch of duff seals. Required another new timing belt and a *lot* of cleanup.

I was willing to let them clean up the serpentine belt, but wasn't going to risk the timing belt which had been thoroughly bathed in oil.

**DiscoJeffster** · 27th November 2019, 06:00 PM

Oh yeah! The front seal problem! Yes that’s not uncommon though in earlier machines I thought.

Did they change the seal or the oil pump when doing the timing belt?

**BradC** · 27th November 2019, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

Oh yeah! The front seal problem! Yes that’s not uncommon though in earlier machines I thought.

Did they change the seal or the oil pump when doing the timing belt?

The replacement engine (fitted after crank failure by previous owner) had an "improperly modified" oil pump. Someone drilled a hole in it to fit an oil pressure gauge and it had started to leak. I had the upgraded pump fitted. The timing belt had been done less than 20kkm ago but while they had it apart I had a new belt, idler and tensioner fitted.

The front seal lasted about 150km. It let go on Reid hwy. I couldn't figure out why a huge column of cars behind me suddenly changed into the right lane. Apparently I was spraying oil and blue smoke out the back.

**DazzaTD5** · 27th November 2019, 06:48 PM

IMHO...
*If the oil pump was replaced then I would say whoever fitted the front seal around the crank stuffed it up.
*Its not hard to stuff it up, I DID IT A FEW YEARS BACK, the oil literally pours out in large quantities.
*Part of the process is once the seal has been fitted it must be left 4 hours before starting (I guess to allow the seal to form onto the crankshaft).
*I also very quickly got the "install tools" and have had a faultless run since.
*I know others dont have the tools and have never had an issue.
*The Victor Renz branded seal comes with the plastic install tool to fit seal over the crankshaft, the genuine seal doesn't.
*The big chunk of alloy is the move the seal along the crankshaft without twisting or distorting it. And to finally seat the seal into its correct position.

**Eric SDV6SE** · 27th November 2019, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by Lukeis

I’m sitting here waiting for the tow truck - as there is no oil I’m reluctant to start the car to raise the suspension so I can crawl under. Thought I’d see if anyone has any insights

Bugger, yes dont start it !!!

Sounds like front crank seal to me, this is checked by LR when they do the belts (this is exactly what Southern Landrover told me).

If its weeping they change it regardless.

If youve changed the oil via the suction tube and the filter housing is seated correctly, then its very unlikely that the filter is the cause.

**Lukeis** · 28th November 2019, 07:14 AM

Guys thanks so much for your info.

So the next question then.
if the oil on the ground would roughly equate to 1L and the sump was empty it means I was driving with a very low oil amount in the car due to this.

1) why did the car not give me a warning?
2) would this have caused permanent damage to the car? one saving factor might be that it was pouring out at a good rate (evidenced by the constant line of oil On the road) meaning it might have gone from full to empty in a short distance

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