lrrs
Reader
12/31/17 11:58 a.m.
So today, upon returning home from returning a battery for the core charge, and some quick grocery shopping, I found a big black oil slick in my driveway, where the car was parked before leaving.
Its never leaked oil before, and its the last time it was this cold for this long, I think it was parked in the garage, thus a the car itself was a bit warmer at startup back then. It is currently parked in a different spot so I can see if it is still leaking.
I did find this on the web, but only this account, so it seems like this may be a rare issue and my not be what I have.
"Engine Oil leaking from back of engine. Very cold out, -35. No seals leaking but oil being forced out but not from around filter. Garage told me oil was from the oil relief valve- didn't know that existed."
It has not reached -35 here but it was below 0 F for most of the last few days, and not driven Friday or Saturday. There was an attempt to start it Sat morning, but the battery was to weak, a new was installed Sat late afternoon, it was started and run for a short time. I don't know if the leak occurred yesterday, Thursday when I got home from work, Friday, Sat, today, or if it is continually leaking. From the slick size and shape, it had more of a run than a spread, like it came out all at once and not as a slow drip.
Is a extreme cold leak a thing ?
Will be going out in an hour or 2 to see if it has leaked in the new spot.
Oil pressure switch ruptured, or the front crank seal is leaking are the only two oil leaks I've ever fixed on those engines. If its the OPS, be very careful not to overtighten- the block will crack if you wedge the pipe thread in too far.
Also possible its got a loose oil filter or drain plug, I guess.
lrrs
Reader
12/31/17 6:30 p.m.
Update
After sitting in a clean spot for about 3 hours, the only sign of the leak was one or 2 drops that came from the wet under body trays.
I estimate the first slick was at least 4+oz, and based on how wet it was, that it was deposited an a very short time. It would take weeks of dripping at the current rate to leak the same amount as the first puddle and doubtful that it would be as wet.
The original puddle really looked like it was pumped out or like there was a hole on the pan.
I drove it to my gfs and out to dinner, it was dark, but from what I can see, no puddles like the original, no oil lights, seems like it was a one time occurrence.
NGTD
UberDork
1/1/18 8:43 p.m.
My Golf did the same just recently. Check your oil filter. Mine was loose, yet it was tight just a couple of weeks ago.
lrrs
Reader
1/2/18 7:56 p.m.
Thanks that's what I hoped and it was the oil filter.
I had done it again on another below 0F morning, but one running for 30 seconds it stopped, and it never did it on subsequent starts the afternoon, even after 8 hours at work. That said, it was between 5 and 10F when leaving work.
I will really know for sure tomorrow morning, is not even nine PM, and we are all ready below 0F.
Fresh oil, new filter, and an extra twist.
Stay warm.