This may be a stupid topic, but I will post it anyway. I have a 03, with 40k+ miles on the OD and the nearest dealership 100 miles away, and when I change the oil, between dealer recommended 7500 mi changes, it seem like I have major oil leak every time. It smell like oil and oil is all over the under carriage. I think the problem may be the drip pan. The oil from the filter collects in the drip pan and gets slung around during driving. I checked my oil 4 times today, and each time it was fine. So am I properly diagnosing the problem, and will the dealer give me hell for removing the drip tray? Also what after market filters does everybody use? I have wix, but I am looking for something better based on reviews. Additionally is the new 5000mi Mobile the same as the regular old mobile oil. That's it. Sorry for being long winded.
Oil Change
- Thread starter Te_Karma
- Start date
Are you diong your own oil changes, or farming it out? if you didn't do it yourself, here are some things to check:
-Did whoever performed your oil change replace the metal o-ring between the filter and the block? Missing this will cause a leak, and certainly oil up your drip pan.
-Did they tighten the oil filter down securely or leave it a bit loose? This will sometimes cause a leak at startup, but may seal up as the engine reaches operating temperature.
-Check your oil cooler hoses, and the fittings into the radiator. 40 K seems early to be developing problems here, but better safe than sorry.
-Use a paint tray or some other thin contaner to redirect the oil when you change it, and copious amounts of shop towels to clean up any overflow; only then will you know for sure where the mess is originating.
-Check your oil level over a period of about a week; a single day may not be enough time to spot an oil loss trend. A surprisingly small amout of oil leaking out can result in a surprisingly big mess.
I assume you're still under warranty; your dealer hasn't brought up the oil leak issue. Hit 'em up about it, get them to diagnose the problem.
As far as filters, I personally use Original filters from Atlantic British or British Pacific at about $11.00 apiece; K&N's are also reputed to be good, at about $16.00 each from the same sources, or from most auto supplies.
-Ray
-Did whoever performed your oil change replace the metal o-ring between the filter and the block? Missing this will cause a leak, and certainly oil up your drip pan.
-Did they tighten the oil filter down securely or leave it a bit loose? This will sometimes cause a leak at startup, but may seal up as the engine reaches operating temperature.
-Check your oil cooler hoses, and the fittings into the radiator. 40 K seems early to be developing problems here, but better safe than sorry.
-Use a paint tray or some other thin contaner to redirect the oil when you change it, and copious amounts of shop towels to clean up any overflow; only then will you know for sure where the mess is originating.
-Check your oil level over a period of about a week; a single day may not be enough time to spot an oil loss trend. A surprisingly small amout of oil leaking out can result in a surprisingly big mess.
I assume you're still under warranty; your dealer hasn't brought up the oil leak issue. Hit 'em up about it, get them to diagnose the problem.
As far as filters, I personally use Original filters from Atlantic British or British Pacific at about $11.00 apiece; K&N's are also reputed to be good, at about $16.00 each from the same sources, or from most auto supplies.
-Ray
B
bell03disco2
Guest
Thanks guys. I do the work myself, and I will use the paint tray next time. I check the oil once a week weather it needs it or not. I was concerned because my wife is going to be having our first child any day, and the last thing I need to be doing is visiting the dealer for service. Thanks for the help. I also noticed what appears to be an oil pan leak, but at this time it is of no concern.