Oil Leak? Where is this and is it serious?!

[georgek 0]

Hi all,

 

This is the part where I don my stupid hat and ask obvious questions, the main one being:

 

What are the parts pointed to in yellow in some pics? Is it cause for serious concern and immediate attention that they seem to be covered in oil?!

 

I know any oil isn't great, but I'm supposed to be doing a 400mile trip this weekend but don't want to take any risks.

 

Thanks

George

[MoonlightBlueVR6 0]

I'd be interested to know myself as I have a friend with exactly the same.

[Jim Bowen 1]

what engine is that?

[Goldie 2]

what engine is that?

 

Thatll be a VR, looking behind the block, to the right of the exhaust manifold....

[khurrado 0]

Maybe your oil filter is leaking? May be worth changin it first.

[georgek 0]

Sorry, forgot to say it's a VR.

 

I'm not getting a single drop on the floor. If the oil filter was leaking I'd expect to see it on the floor wouldn't I?

 

I suppose it could be the oil from an old leak that's been fixed as it's quite gloopy when I poke it.

I have been losing a bit of oil recently though, hence the quick look around the bay. I don't think I'm burning it so the next option was a leak.

[Goldie 2]

Its no where near the oil filter...

 

May be worth giving the area a good clean and then monitoring it...

[georgek 0]

Will do. What's the best thing to clean the oil off with?

 

And just out of interest, what are the parts I've pointed to in the pics?

[Goldie 2]

As for cleaning, any Gunk or a quick squirt of WD40 will get it off...

 

Ill go and have a peep under my bonnet in a sec and see what it is..

[Goldie 2]

Looking at the first picture the lowest part that looks quite manky is the back of the gearbox where the drive shafts are connected...

 

It just looks like a build up or crap rather than a leak, if your nor getting drips then it cant be bad...

[Guest]

That looks like its leaking from one of the timing chain covers. There's no gasket on these where they mate with the head.

I'd wipe the oil clean, check all the cover bolts are tight, and just run a bit of gasket sealer along where it mates with the side of the head. Sounds like it's nothing to worry about if you're not seeing anything on the floor.

 

HTH

Steve

[georgek 0]

Thanks Steve.

It's the lower chain cover right?

[Guest]

It's the lower chain cover right?

 

Yea, looks like it. If it is, you'll only be able to access a couple of the bolts. To remove the lower cover is a gearbox off job!!

[_leon_ 0]

gearbox off - blimmin heck!

[georgek 0]

*gulp*

 

I'll just have to hope it's coming from the bits I can get to!