Oil leaking from underneath car, parked on an incline in the drive

Tiny
COOLOLDS85
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 BUICK REGAL
  • 2.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 56,100 MILES
I have been leaking oil since this year where it began leaking just in just small dots in March, In August it started leaking in a small puddle. The car is parked on an incline and I heard it can leak if it’s on an incline as soon as the oil goes down to the pan when engine is not being used. Last oil change was last year June of 2017. I did not even drive this car close to 3,000, only 1,000. So I did not need to change the oil yet. Second, I got the car inspected in August and they said there were not any leaks. From last oil change until now, the oil level was stayed full on the dipstick, even still is now. The car has been siting a lot, I did not really drive it much this year, I never had to add any oil because I checked the oil every time I get gas so I know it is full and checked it today and was still full.

In 2016-2017, I replaced the engine oil pan and gasket, both valve cover gaskets, also replaced oil seals, along with oil cooler hoses and lines. In August the timing chain cover had to be removed, so I assumed the gasket was replaced. Also had the starter replaced and it was soaked with oil. So I am thinking maybe it is just access oil leaking from where the old starter was and they did not clean it good.
Wednesday, September 26th, 2018 AT 7:51 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
HARRY P
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  • 2,292 POSTS
Are you 100% sure that it is motor oil that is leaking? Power steering fluid and old brake fluid can be dark like motor oil, thus appearing to be motor oil. Check the levels of all of your other fluids to see if one of them is low.

If it is indeed motor oil, then it is possible that the bolts around the oil pan have shaken just a little bit loose and the leak is coming from there. The best thing that you can do is get under the car and simply trace the leak. Here is a guide on tracing/fixing oil leaks: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-is-leaking-oil

If you can track it down, post some pictures of the area and offending parts on this thread and then I will be able to suggest what to do to fix the leak. Also, while you are down there, if you have a ratchet and socket set, use them to check the tightness of the oil pan bolts.
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Wednesday, September 26th, 2018 AT 9:11 PM
Tiny
COOLOLDS85
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Yes, it is oil because I smelled it and smelled like oil. It could not be power steering because I got the rack and lines replaced also and brake lines. All the levels of everything is full.
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Wednesday, September 26th, 2018 AT 9:45 PM
Tiny
HARRY P
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Okay. Go ahead and try to trace that leak. Hopefully you can track it down with ease.
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Thursday, September 27th, 2018 AT 3:43 AM
Tiny
COOLOLDS85
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The oil filter looks like it is leaking, the oil pressure sender sensor near oil filter is dry, but has a bunch of access carbon around it. Do you think the sensor is bad or I just need to change the oil filter?
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Thursday, September 27th, 2018 AT 6:55 AM
Tiny
HARRY P
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I would take the filter off and check to make sure that there are not two rubber gaskets on there. Sometimes when you change the filter the old gasket will stick in place and you cannot easily see it so you put the new filter on with its new gasket. Having two gaskets on there will cause a leak. If that is not it then the filter was probably just not tightened enough. Good luck and definitely let us know what happens next
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Thursday, September 27th, 2018 AT 12:00 PM
Tiny
COOLOLDS85
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Thanks, I bet the seal in the oil filter is leaking. I am going to get an oil change soon. Hopefully that will fix the leak.
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Thursday, September 27th, 2018 AT 1:24 PM

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