Hey everyone, i just picked up an 03 6spd manual for a great price a few weeks ago. Today I changed the engine oil and noticed some oil residue around the area pictured (below). I wiped it off real well and went to the tax office to do some taxes, and came back after about a 50 mile drive. There was some evidence of leaking, but no dripping/puddling in my driveway.

Here's where its coming from (around that thin black metal cover)



I'm completely new to these cars and am wondering what on earth is leaking. Anyone else have this issue? This is a 6spd car w/ about 112k miles.

Thanks

 

well i've done a lot of searching and researching on the forums and it seems that its probably a rear main seal and that i'm seeing engine oil leaking.

I'll try to degrease the area and put some dye in the engine oil to see if thats indeed what it is.

 

oh, and in the above pics I wiped it off, and then drove about 50 miles before taking the pictures. Thats why there's not much oil to be seen.

 

Rear main seal. That is the clutch inspection plate. Those 2 bolts come off to inspect the clutch wear.
Since it's all that area expect a new clutch & flywheel to be done as well.

Your best to order the parts from the online parts places & then bring those parts to a dealer for replacement. Links in FAQ.

Oh and since your at 112K miles, that's past the mileage for a timing belt change. Again that's all in the FAQ. That's a lot of $ though if it's hasn't been changed.

 

Hey fuzzy, I really appreciate the reply. Let me preface by saying sorry for not conducting a thorough forum search on this topic, and ending up cluttering up your boards!

The timing belt and water pump was replaced about 600 miles ago at the previous owners expense. I guess this leak is fairly new because the previous owner does not have any puddling in his shiny brand new driveway from where this car was parked.

I'll make sure to peruse the FAQ. If thats rear main seal then I shouldnt have any issues, other than adding oil every so often correct? I'm going to watch this like a hawk and make sure it doesn't get worse. When it comes time to do it, I will make sure to replace clutch/flywheel as well.

Thanks!

 

If oil soaks the clutch, your screwed on all fronts. So live with it for now but save $ to replace it all.

 

Fuzzy, kind of off topic but how come I can't send PMs, or view public profiles, or view the member list........or the gallery...etc?

 

i overfilled my mtf and that's what happened to me. so it's not 100% the rear main (i drip all the time but my engine oil levels never change). if you did that recently then i would say that could be the problem. i haven't noticed any difference in the clutch though (this was well over a year ago), and it doesn't slip any more than it used to.