Hey guys I just noticed yesterday I have a leak under my car. It seems to be coming from what I understand to be the oil filter? I'm sorry if I'm asking a newbie question but how could I repair this or see if something maybe needs to be tightened or twisted? :P Anyway thanks for the help. I've attached pictures so you can see what it is.

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/2569/dsc00564w.jpg (http://img168.imageshack.us/i/dsc00564w.jpg/)

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/5139/dsc00563a.jpg (http://img517.imageshack.us/i/dsc00563a.jpg/)

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/8686/dsc00562z.jpg (http://img16.imageshack.us/i/dsc00562z.jpg/)

if it is comming from the filter, try just chaning the oil and filter wont cost overly much then got to the car wash and hit it with some water and see what happens over next few days

how clean is the top of the engine? do the rocker cover gaskets look like they are leaking as oil could be dripping down onto the filter, the sump cover looks pretty oily too.

you need to degrease the engine so you can see where its leaking from.

Good idea to change the filter and oil as per above.

Also, dont forget to give the new filter's seal a lick of oil to lube it, before you bang it on

You are welcome to book in if you want to, could be the filter but also there are several other areas it could be coming from

I can clean the engine, run it and look for the leak

That looks like my TH, once the oil filter came loose and leaked untill it was tightened. I had oil comming from the rocker cover from 60K then later from around the oil filter. Never had to get it fixed just gave it a hit of degreaser at each oil change-not a road worthy issue in SA!

how many k's the car done? im guessing it could be the crank shaft seal if it has a few k's on it.

if it is comming from the filter, try just chaning the oil and filter wont cost overly much then got to the car wash and hit it with some water and see what happens over next few days

I shall do that, are there any tutorials on how to change everything over? As I'm fairly new to the car scene being only 18 with my first car.




how clean is the top of the engine? do the rocker cover gaskets look like they are leaking as oil could be dripping down onto the filter, the sump cover looks pretty oily too.

you need to degrease the engine so you can see where its leaking from.

Good idea to change the filter and oil as per above.

I'm not sure what rocker cover gaskets are, I will google it and get back to you. Also whats the sump?




You are welcome to book in if you want to, could be the filter but also there are several other areas it could be coming from

I can clean the engine, run it and look for the leak


Book it in? I'm not sure I follow. Do you work in a mechanics?


Sorry for my lack of knowledge guys I'm learning :) Thanks for your help and patience.

Samm

the sump is where oil is stored under neath the crank, rocker cover gaskets are a seal that goes between the rocker cover body and the head ;)

Also madmagna is the 'vic magna mehcanic' so i think it's safe with him ;)

hey guys just had a mechanic mate have a look and he tells me its the timing cover seal or something like that. is this a difficult thing to repair and have I got the name right? cheers :)

timing cover seal? I assume it is either the crank shaft seal (like i said) or the cam shaft seal(s) HOW MANY K'S HAS YOURCAR DONE??????
If it is around 85k or 170k, just replace the timingbelt at the same time.

Including the timing belt you should be looking at around $500 (3.25hrs labour) including parts ($250 for timing kit)

With no belt, it should be around $200 (2.5hrs labour) (the seals are like $5 each from a good bearing shop)

its done 123,000kms approx. and it was definitely something to do with the timing belt or that general area as i had a closer look and theres and oil patch on a plate under that section

its hard to tell by just looking at it, generally the oil will drip out of the crank shaft seal, down onto the axel and the blow/flick everywhere whilst driving.
You should have had all these seals replaced whent you got your timing belt doone (at approx 100,000)
Have you had your timing belt dones? if not your getting very overdue.

As I said mate, book it in and I will be able to tell you where this is coming from

I know these cars better than probably most around and know where to look

hey madmagna where are you located?

i bought it at 122000 so im not sure if its been done. id have to check the service log...which is out in the car. ill go get it soon when i go to replace the wheel arch cover :)

Am in Ringwood East, all my contact details are in teh MitsFix section

God damn that is a filthy oil filter, I thought Ive seen some bad ones but sheesh

haha yeah i thought it didnt look right :P

@madmagna: I might just bring it in next week, thanks for the help.