6 replies to this topic

[Account_Deleted_T5M]

Well today when i pulled out of my parking spot at work, I noticed fluid on the ground. (shimmery multicolored liquid) and I was wondering if it was oil or transmission fluid. I also have noticed that I have oil pooled up under my valve cover, is this normal, and do you think it's just excess oil on the outside of the crankcase? It was raining today and I thought that the rain might have run the oil on the crankcase to the ground. Feedback greatly appreciated.
--Rob--

[NoodleKnight]

Wipe it up with a white paper towel and see what color it is. If its somewhat red, then its transmission fluid, otherwise it's oil.

Not sure how to answer the second question though.

[MadeInJapan]

Oil under the valve cover huh? One of two reasons. One is some pressure in the crankcase and the oil filler cap is leaking. Seems the best thing here is to get a new oil filler cap, not to just replace the rubber gasket. Also, if this is the case, then you should clean/replace your pcv system including the oil separator/trap under the intake manifold. There is a write-up as a sticky on this forum as to what this entails. Now for the second possibility. There is a rubber hose coming up from the oil separator/trap to the top of the engine in the front (if facing the engine from the front of the car). It is leaking. Check the clamp on it and either replace it or cinch it down. Hope this helps. If it isn't one of these problems, then you have a seal leaking at the top of the engine.

[Slater]

Well, if it's coming from teh valve cover that is obviously not tranny oil - that's your PCV hose or your oil cap seal. Tranny oil will be much much lower. It's also red. You should be able to dab it on a white paper towel and see if it's red or brown/black right away.

[mbsl98]

Should there be a clamp on the oil hose from the separator to the top of engine (at the top end of hose)? I have recently started to get this same oil under the valve cover, and do not have a PCV pressure issue. I am pretty sure that I do not have a clamp on this hose, at least where it enters the top of engine by the filler cap, and I don't remember noticing one on our XC either.

[Account_Deleted_T5M]

I'm going outside to see if there is fluid on the ground, if there's not then i'm assuming it was the rain washing it to the ground. Now about the oil under the valve cover, mine does not have a clamp, and my engine is running really shitty (no acceleration at high rpms etc) but I still have not switched out my o2 sensors yet, so I think that is the problem considering they've failed.

[James100]

Should there be a clamp on the oil hose from the separator to the top of engine (at the top end of hose)? I have recently started to get this same oil under the valve cover, and do not have a PCV pressure issue. I am pretty sure that I do not have a clamp on this hose, at least where it enters the top of engine by the filler cap, and I don't remember noticing one on our XC either.

If your leak is from the oil fill cap you need a new oil fill cap(they come with the gasket) ......The gasket alone wont cure it...Dealer has them for $12.....Just run a paper towel or tissue right on the neck or see if there is oil on the neck..

Edited by James100, 13 March 2006 - 05:05 PM.