Leaking Oil After An Oil Change. Cant Find The Source!

[immax01]

I changed my own oil and filter a few days ago. Since then I have had an oil leak. I'm no expert, this was my 3rd oil change but I dont think i screwed anything up... The leak is not coming from the pan plug because thats dry, and its not coming from the filter because that is dry too. I change my oil every 5k miles. Im using Castrol GTX 10w40 high mileage with a purolator filter.

I can smell oil burning when i get out of the car, it even smokes a little bit. In the few days 3-4 since the oil change, i have lost about half a quart. I have no idea where the leak is coming from.

Any ideas or suggestions? This leak Definitely started after this last oil change. Thanks!

[gbhrps]

If you can't trace the problem to the filter you changed, or to the drain plug you removed and replaced, then you will have to do some detective work, and that means getting under the car and looking. It is possible that its just a coincidence that your leak started just after the oil change, and is not related at all. Anyways, you'll still need to get the car in the air to search down the source, inconvenient but not expensive. Good Luck!

[immax01]

If you can't trace the problem to the filter you changed, or to the drain plug you removed and replaced, then you will have to do some detective work, and that means getting under the car and looking. It is possible that its just a coincidence that your leak started just after the oil change, and is not related at all. Anyways, you'll still need to get the car in the air to search down the source, inconvenient but not expensive. Good Luck!

I got under the car, (not too far under, just a little, with ramps) and saw that many of the bottom surfaces were wet with oil. Thats why i asked for a suggestion. I was hoping for a "if its not the plug or filter then its this" If its not that easy, then i guess ill have to do my own investigation... unless someone has somewhere specific to point me to. Thanks!!

[George_Jetson]

Buy a can of brake cleaner, and spray it on the surfaces that are oilly. It will dry them off so that you can pinpoint the source of your leak.

[GrayES300]

Is the oil filler cap on tight? Did you put the dip stick back in? Are you sure you are down 1/2 a quart? I know that when I fill my car and check it, it is full. Then I run it for a minute or two so the oil fills the filter. When I check it again, I have to put more in. Usually it takes another 1/2 quart. If you really are losing that much, it should be a pretty large leak. Maybe put a piece of carboard under the car overnight and see where the oil collects so you will know if it is in the front or back of the engine. Just some thoughts.

[RX300ES300]

It is very likely is the pcv valve, it may be clogged which will build up the chamber pressure then cause the leak. The replacement is easy and cost less than $10. If it does not help, rear valve cover gasket is the most likely the problem. The front one is piece of cake, the pain in the "rear"-end is the rear one. The leaking rear valve cover will definitely give you the burning smell, of cause it may be other leak but I would guess this is it.

[steviej]

did you happen to drip any oil from the old filter on the exhaust manifold when you removed it.

If the 95 ES filter location is the same as the 2002+ then it is in a horrible spot and if you don't wrap the fitler in a rag when removing it, it will most likely drip on the exhaust manifiold. When it heats up, the oil burns, smokes and smells. This will eventually go away.

Now if you really think there is a leak, you can have a reputable shop put a UV dye in the oil. It doesn't hurt the engine. You run the engine for a few days under normal use. Then they use a black light to find where the leak is. The dyed oil will "glow" and the leak source can be determined.

steviej