Front of engine block leaking

[chris233]

Attached a picture of my problem.

I've changed my own oil for 5 years now, and for the first time I see what looks like an oil leak coming from the front, bottom quarter of my engine block. It's copious enough that it's streaked all the way down the oil pan, and probably half way down the exhaust pipe.

It's clearly a greasy fluid, and is pretty much the colour of oil. Seems pretty clear that it is oil, except my dip stick tells me I wasn't missing any oil.


Has anyone seen this? Most likely problem? Can anyone give me the technical terms of the car parts involved?


Thanks,
Chris

I should mention this is a 2005 ION3

[johnk]

Check your oil filter cap for a crack. I had a hairline crack in mine and had pretty much the same results. When you change your filter make sure you change the o ring on the filter cap at the same time. Most filters now come with new o rings in the box.

[lgodave]

Originally Posted by johnk

Check your oil filter cap for a crack. I had a hairline crack in mine and had pretty much the same results. When you change your filter make sure you change the o ring on the filter cap at the same time. Most filters now come with new o rings in the box.

+1 on checking the Filter Cap. As for fresh O-Rings... I've never seen an AC Delco Filter come with a Cap O-ring. Never needed to replace my Cap or Cap O-Ring. (My 2003 still has the original "old" design cap.)

If the Cap is cracked... it's probably easier to just buy an AC Delco PF458G (Filter and Cap). Unless johnk has a few examples of Filter brands that include a Cap O-Ring with purchase.

http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-PF458G...2511980&sr=1-1

[chilipepper1327]

Originally Posted by chris233

Has anyone seen this? Most likely problem? Can anyone give me the technical terms of the car parts involved?


Thanks,
Chris

I should mention this is a 2005 ION3

I have never seen an engine, that no matter how well you cared for it, didn't start leaking a little oil. Where and how much is where it would be critical.

My engine leaks oil a little bit everywhere it seems. I don't worry about it, but I keep and eye on it. I have gone over every bolt to make sure nothing is loose, and I wish I could find something loose, then I could tighten it up and stop the leaking.

It is not a perfect world and short of tearing down the engine and doing a complete clean and seal(expensive and time consuming to say the least), there is not much more you can do except doing what you can. If you could supply a picture that is not as close and could show more of the engine, it would be much better.

One way to determine where the oil is really coming from is to thuroughly clean the engine, then run it a bit and see where the oil is actually coming out.

[Maritime Storm]

Also of note the oil pressure switch is to the left and below the oil filter housing almost behind the end of the starter(viewed from the top). It is damn impossible to see from above or below and almost as much fun to change. Mine got plugged up with a piece of carbon back in December, at the time I found it was cheapest to buy at the dealer($20), $10 for a switch socket at NAPA(KD2569 1 1/16") and 1/2 hour of cursing with a 3/8" ratchet a 12" long extension and a u-joint.

[ttreibel]

Mine leaks in the same place too. It has never leaked enough to need filling between oil changes however. I just learn to clean up the mess each time I am underneath the car. This is my 5th Saturn all but my first one needed to keep a close eye on the oil use.

[johnk]

I've gotten the o-rings with Fram filters. I change it once a year or if I see any cracking or damage to the ring.

I have not had issues with cracking my cap since I switched to the proper tool for removal. I had been using a very large cresent wrench that was challenging to grasp the top of the filter to a socket that allows me to break it loose and remove by hand as well as not over tighten.

[chilipepper1327]

Originally Posted by johnk

I've gotten the o-rings with Fram filters. I change it once a year or if I see any cracking or damage to the ring.

I have not had issues with cracking my cap since I switched to the proper tool for removal. I had been using a very large cresent wrench that was challenging to grasp the top of the filter to a socket that allows me to break it loose and remove by hand as well as not over tighten.

I just purchased a socket big enough to fit, and it was less than half the price of the tool.

[johnk]

Throw on a Fumoto drain valve and oil changes are a snap on the Ion. I don't know what I'll use the socket for when the time comes to get rid of the Ion, however it does make a great page holder for the service manual.......