Has anyone got on tips on how to spot an oil leak ?

[Jobs_a_ good_ un]

Going out tomorrow with engineer what can I do to suss out where my oil leak is coming from ?
Any ideas appreciated this is getting desperate !!!!!!!!!!

 

[rickp]

Think its been mentioned in one of your many threads - clean engine thoroughly and then dust with talc.

Rick

 

[Jobs_a_ good_ un]

Will try that what about places you cant get to easily any suggestions
Regards

 

[dt1]

Why dont you tape a plastic bottle on to the end of your breather pipe,,that should eliminate one possible cause

 

[Jobs_a_ good_ un]

We did that yesterday very good idea cos now we know its not coming out of the breather
regards

 

[duncan]

come on talc can be got everywhere - especially if oil was there first

 

[dt1]

it works ,, if the engine is clean

 

[powerskipper]

lay some kind of mat or cleaning clothes under the engine , secure it and run her, you should then be able to see where its coming from.

 

[ajt]

Small mirror taped onto a stick?

 

[duncan]

boll@x - that just tells you where its ending up!

 

[fireball]

but it is a good start ... it only goes downwards ... unless it is under pressure ...

 

[powerskipper]

but if you know where it end up you can normally trace it back, well I have found it works, just be careful of hot engines.

 

[boatone]

Duncan....I know its hot but thats no way to speak to a lady.......

 

[mjf]

disposable nappies

Use Pampas or similar right along the e/r bilges. easy to see exactly where the drips fall, then as has been said smoke and mirrors.

 

[sailorman]

Wot about Hot Women /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[andy_wilson]

Same engineer or a new one?

Either way, he should know.

No substitute really for visual. Important to try and clean the suspect area thoroughly first.

Worse case scenario it is emerging from a cover that requires dismantling or even engine removal to identify root cause.

If it is tough to access the suspect area, Gunk aerosol might get in there, and a garden sprayer or similar to rinse with water.

And a mirror on a stick. Cheap to buy in a kit with an extending arm and a magnetic picker-upper.

 

[David_Jersey]

Just to make 100% clear that I am NOT an Engineer!!!

I have not read your previous thread. But you sound like you are already a way down the line!

At a guess the oil is not p#ssing out at 100mph, which IS good - although this would make spotting the oil leak a bit easier!

But as far as I know no easy answer I am afraid.........I would say it is a case of just being methodical.

Have a chat to an Engineer familiar with your make of engines and set up, he may know where they are likely / usually leak on that model or at least get hime to give you an idea of where is the most likley in general.

As said already, clean the engine, or at least the likely areas and put something clean in the bilge to find out where it is dropping off the engine and then work backwards to trace it's flow- then it is down to using a Mirror (maybe on a stick) and a torch and lots of clean rag / paper towels (to clean the oil path backward) and some patiance...........


I am assuming that you have already replaced the Oil Filters and any O rings with new...............

 

[Freebee]

judging by wot I witnessed today let off a dry powder fire extingguisher down there it will put dust on everything!!!!

no don't ....but it must be possible to buy talc in spray or puffer bottle form-.atteral thinking needed>