Quick oil leak question

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Old Sep 17, 2015 | 03:03 PM
  #1  
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Quick oil leak question

Hey,

So I noticed this last week that I have a small oil leak on the ground in my garage about 2 1/2" in diameter after the car sat for 5 days or so.

It is on the front passenger side, essentially under the pulleys.

A quick look didn't reveal any oil on top of the sub frame or that I can see around the PS pump.

PS hose was repaired at the dealership a few years ago, never had any oil on the ground until now.

I normally also don't replace the oil drain washer either although it has never leaked before.

I know that there is a lot of talk about rear main seals going on these cars (especially after having the PS hose repaired) but wouldn't that leak show up on the drivers side where the transmission and the engine meet up?

I know the real answer is "get under there and see where it is coming from" which I plan on doing this weekend. I'm just wondering if you guys have any recommendations of what/where to check. It is definitely oil of some type.

Oh and the leak is minor enough that the oil level on the dipstick is still exactly where it should be.

Thanks!
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Old Sep 17, 2015 | 03:08 PM
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get under there, can't help you without more pics as everything would be pure speculation.
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Old Sep 17, 2015 | 08:43 PM
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under the pullies likely means the oil filter or some other sort of fluid
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Old Sep 21, 2015 | 08:18 AM
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So here is what I found. Essentially the entire underside of my car is bone dry, no evidence of oil anywhere but in this area which is under the pulleys.






So at this point, I'm thinking it is power steering fluid as it appears the PS pump has some kind of leak going on. The hoses have already been replaced (recall) so its not the hoses.

I know I've heard about the o rings going bad and causing a leak, not sure if that is what is happening here but I'll have to look into that more.

Thoughts?
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Old Sep 23, 2015 | 08:58 AM
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Yesterday I looked some more and realized that the power steering pump is starting to whine a bit. I checked the reservoir and sure enough, there is air bubbles in it. I can confidently say that my leak is indeed the power steering pump.

I'm assuming I should do a complete rebuild of the pump (all of the orings ect) and not just the one that typically fails on the power steering hose?

Thanks
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Old Sep 23, 2015 | 09:01 AM
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Yeah, might as well rebuild it! I believe there's a DIY on here somewhere...
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Old Sep 23, 2015 | 10:50 AM
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Yeah I'm just going to rebuild the entire thing. I just ordered all of the parts plus all of the stuff needed to do the transmission filter. Figured I'll do it all at the same time, seems simple enough.

I'll report back after its done and let everyone know how it went.
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Old Sep 23, 2015 | 01:53 PM
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may well be the notorious O-ring, but might as well do the whole rebuild.

What year/mileage?
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Old Sep 23, 2015 | 03:01 PM
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04 AT 128k miles
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Old Sep 24, 2015 | 07:36 AM
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Yes, definetly PS pump rebuild time.

Here is the diy member "Rockstar143" did!


https://acurazine.com/forums/problem...-scans-841134/
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Old Sep 29, 2015 | 04:33 PM
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The O-ring replacement is an easy, inexpensive fix, which will last for 10 - 20 K.
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Old Oct 8, 2015 | 11:22 AM
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^+1, try the O-ring first.
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Old Oct 8, 2015 | 01:35 PM
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I decided to rebuild the whole pump. As of right now it appears my leak is gone, I will report back if anything changes.
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Old Oct 20, 2015 | 08:51 AM
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Well I was wrong.

My leak has resurfaced, so I now can rule out my PS pump. I doubled checked it to make sure and it is still bone dry after I rebuilt it. It was also definitely leaking but not the source of the small oil spot I am seeing on my garage floor.

I looked back under my car for a quick look and saw a oil droplet on the right front subframe, roughly underneath the belt area but closer to the firewall than the front. A quick look with a mirror and flashing light didn't reveal where it is coming from. I also tried looking at the back valve cover and didn't see any obvious signs of leakage.

I know I have to jack it back up and keep looking but anyone have any other ideas of where it could be leaking from?

Thanks
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Old Oct 20, 2015 | 08:52 AM
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Pics
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Old Oct 20, 2015 | 11:27 AM
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Originally Posted by thoiboi
Pics
I'll try to get some after work and post them right away.
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Old Oct 20, 2015 | 06:50 PM
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Originally Posted by thegipper
I'll try to get some after work and post them right away.
Not sure how I missed this before but it's pretty clear where the leak is coming from. I already have new washers just forgot last time to use one. Might just wait until I need an oil change because I'm at 50% right now, the leak is very minor.

duh!

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Old Oct 21, 2015 | 04:19 AM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by thegipper
Not sure how I missed this before but it's pretty clear where the leak is coming from. I already have new washers just forgot last time to use one. Might just wait until I need an oil change because I'm at 50% right now, the leak is very minor.

duh!

Looooool. You're getting old man. Soon you'll lose your glasses on your nose and spend 2 hours looking for them until you had to see and saw yourself in the mirror
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Old Oct 21, 2015 | 07:19 AM
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seee pictures help all!!


drain bolt looks almost to the point it will be rounded, so maybe spend 5 bucks on a new one to save yourself some potential headache in the future too
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