Oil changed and worried......

[Babybadger]

Just had the oil changed and it seems that there is a leak from somwhere. It was drained and 4ltrs drained out, and 5.5 litres went back in to the nearly full mark on the dipstick. Is that about right for ragging a car up and down the A1 to North Yorkshire and back? I think the oil was last changed in March 08 @ RT's . I did have a minor shunt in November, bu there has been no oil slick under the car since. The shunt only di the headlight , sidelight and bonnet, may have been some minor movement on the slam panel

http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?t=17676&highlight=black+eye



The sump and around the gearbox (auto) was wet with a film of oil, but it wasn't dripping. There is a slight weep around the turbo intercooler pipe, but nothing major, any ideas anyone? I am hoping it is not the rear main oil seal......

[Tomcat]

You'd know if it where the RMS, when mine was leaking I had a permenant puddle under the car and the oil consumption was horrendous. Could be just worn seals on the turbo, it'll let enough oil through to up the consumption but not enough to be that noticable. Next time you boot it, look in the rear view mirror for smoke.

[Babybadger]

ok, i understand my turbo is a bit worn , been told that, but the leak and wet oil around the sump? Has anyone got got a photo of the 'vulnerable' areas......

The only smoke I get is 'brown' when I boot it, and mainly in cold weather. It also looks like a film building on the back window. But it isn't oil , at least I don't think it is.....

Judging by this I don't need to be alarmed , but the leak?

http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16393&highlight=oil+consumption

Where is this oil elbow that is notorious for going?

[Jod T5]

Generally the T5's use oil....
Leak areas are:
Rear main seal....noticable by a drip on the road overnight or leakage between gearbox and engine..., usually cured by additive
Leak from sump plug...obvious....
Leak from dipstick sleeve at the sump...noticable by a trail across the sump from front of engine to back....
If you have lost 1.5 litres between oil changes there is nothing to worry about, i use 4.5 litres in 5k and am not worried....
Cheers
Jod

[Babybadger]

Generally the T5's use oil....
Leak areas are:
Rear main seal....noticable by a drip on the road overnight or leakage between gearbox and engine..., usually cured by additive
Leak from sump plug...obvious....
Leak from dipstick sleeve at the sump...noticable by a trail across the sump from front of engine to back....
If you have lost 1.5 litres between oil changes there is nothing to worry about, i use 4.5 litres in 5k and am not worried....
Cheers
Jod

What additive for the rear main oil seal? Wouldn't that damage the seal? My mate says it is probably the rear main oil seal, looking at where the oil is, I thought it was the turbo return jobby....

[Tomcat]

There's an additive you can get off Ebay that rejuvinates old seals, just add it to the oil and it's supposed to help, I used it when my RMS was leaking and it slowed it but didn't cure it. May be worth a shot if yours is leaking, but only something I would do after changing the PCV system.

[Jod T5]

What additive for the rear main oil seal? Wouldn't that damage the seal? My mate says it is probably the rear main oil seal, looking at where the oil is, I thought it was the turbo return jobby....
The rear main seal will leak between the transmission housing and the engine, the return seal from the rear of the engine
The additive is Forte Oil Seal Rejuvinator....
Cheers
jod

[Diesel64]

check thee splashguard under the radiator as well, it could be from the oil cooler (mine was goosed and started leaking into the header tank).

probably not, but thought it was worth mentioning seeing as you've had some front end damage and it's easily checked :)

[Babybadger]

There's an additive you can get off Ebay that rejuvinates old seals, just add it to the oil and it's supposed to help, I used it when my RMS was leaking and it slowed it but didn't cure it. May be worth a shot if yours is leaking, but only something I would do after changing the PCV system.

PCV was changed in march 08 by Russell @ RT mechanics, so I am suprised it may be RMS???

[Tomcat]

If you've had the PCV changed then I doubt it's the RMS, a lack of a puddle under the car rules this out anyway.

[Babybadger]

No puddle, but drips every time I park up. Could the RMS just have leak or does it just ....go!!? It looked as if it was coming from that area, but could there be something above where it is leaking from? Will try and post photos tomorrow morning......

[Babybadger]

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w162/Babybadger/08122008637.jpg

There that may make it a bit clearer.......Should make it to france and back though.....

[Babybadger]

Worse than that is I do not have a oil check light at start up..... Is there a fuse or is this just a bulb in the dash and a sensor in the sump......

[Babybadger]

....and now the oil light works again......confusing.......

[cameron]

The seals on my turbo return pipe are a good place to start, £3 odd from rufe.

My last T5 i sold to pault5estate had the same oil slick, changed the seal and o ring and it stopped leaking all together, cheap and easy fix :B_thumb:

Worth a try bud

Cheers

Lee

[Babybadger]

The seals on my turbo return pipe are a good place to start, £3 odd from rufe.

My last T5 i sold to pault5estate had the same oil slick, changed the seal and o ring and it stopped leaking all together, cheap and easy fix :B_thumb:

Worth a try bud

Cheers

Lee

Did it look a similar dripping area?

[cameron]

Yes it did mate, all over the bottom of the sump and towrds the back.

Theres a car wash near me that has ramps you drive up on and they jetwash the underneath, theres been no sign of oil since :B_thumb:

HTH

Lee