Slight OIl Leak

[Whit300zx]

My 93 N/A recently had a swap and a JDM motor with about 25,000 km on it was put in. I've had it about a week now and I've realized there are little oil spills under my car when left for an hour or two. It usually gets about 5-7cm in diamter on my driveway. I'm kind of worried about driving it around alot, being new and all, so is it okay to drive? And what do you think the most likely thing is that's leaking?

[nghtrain88]

could be lots of things.. leaking valve covers, cam seals, rear main seal, if it's just a tiny bit i wouldn't worry too much other wise you can do a pressure test to see where it's leaking from, or run your finger around and feel if anything is wet

[BigTDogg (MA)]

where is the oil coming from?

[Zwicked]

Get it on a hoist so you can have a good look and find out where it's coming from. Could be as simple as a loose clamp or as fun as a rear seal or valve cover gaskets to name but a couple possibilities.Is it engine oil, trans, brake or power steering fluid?Is it an auto of 5 spd? Did you do any work to the new engine before installation such as rear main seal or maybe clutch/clutch slave cylinder and front trans seal?Where under the car is the puddle? Centerline of car about the where mirrors are? More forward or more to the rear or off to one side?
Modified by Zwicked at 9:33 AM 10/11/2007

[Whit300zx]

A new clutch was put in when they put in the engine. It is a 5 speed. The oil puddle was bigger than I thought, this morning it was about 12 cm or so a bit ahead of where the mirror line is but right in the center. I don't have a hoist handy but I think I will jack it up tonight and have a look.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Bring it back to the people who put the clutch in

I'm 99% certain that's your rear main seal leaking. I suspect they botched the install.

It's a $7 part, with about $300 worth of labor :-/

[Whit300zx]

They told me to come back for check up and oil change in a week or two, do you think I could survive unitl then?

And the oil pressure keeps goin up and down between low and mid (I forgot to mention that).

[BigTDogg (MA)]

It's normal for the pressure to fluctuate relative to RPM and engine load. 60psi is half way, if it goes below 30 when doing anything other than idling, get concerned. By get concerned, I mean stop driving it.

You should call them ASAP and let them know about the leak. Tell them you suspect your rear main crankshaft seal, and you need to get it fixed soon. You should also not be paying for labor if this is the same shop that did your clutch.

Check your oil level regularly (daily) and you *should* be fine. I'd stop driving if you notice the leak getting larger for the same amount of rest time.

[Whit300zx]

Thanks alot

[Zak427]

if your leaking transmission fluid. and you keep driving you will burn the bearings in the transmission. go get it looked at.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Auto transmission fluid is reddish. Not sure what transmission you have, but since you described it as in the same plane as the mirrors, and just had a clutch job, I'm thinking RMS.

But check your transmission too, if it's a 5speed, the oil color would be similar to motor oil. The drain plug is about 3/4 back from the front of the transmission bell housing. Filler plug is around th same area.

If its leaking where the motor and transmission meet, it's the RMS

[Zwicked]

I'd get them to take it in right away. Not only does it make a mess on the driveway, but if enough is leaking it will get on the clutch disc and ruin it for life making it chatter and even slip.Be there when they remove the transmission and clutch. Inspect the disc and see if any oil got on it. If it did, make them replace it without question.The rear main seal is probably either the original one, they damaged the new one or installed it wrong, or the portion of the seal that seals the oil pan to the rear main seal casting is shot (very common, and needs to be changed each time rear seal is replaced to be sure).

PS - if you are ever taking a cruise to Alberta after this winter let me know!