06 with 5k miles has an oil drip - anyone else seen this?

[MaineJenny]

Hello,

I was under my 2006 Prius this weekend doing its first oil change and I noticed a small oil drip coming from the underside of the engine. The oil level before the change was fine, and the leak appears to be small, but at 5K on a "green" car, I would not expect any leakage at all.

The drip appears to be coming from a gasket where the engine casing comes together. I know they say the engine takes some time to "seat" itself while the new componenets break in, so I'm really hoping this is the case here... perhaps it will go away. I have an appt at the dealership next week for them to take a look and see what they think.

I was wondering if anyone else noticed this when they were under their Prius... I have never seen a drip of oil on the driveway, so I think it might very slowly weap out at highway speed and then blow back, but never weeps enough to cause a drop on the ground.... Its very easy to spot by looking under the car.. its the main part of the engine in the middle of the car... there is an orange gasket that looks like it was caulked on at the factory. I have a picture of it attached.... please let me know if anyone had a similar issue... I will report back when I talk to the dealer next week and let you know what they tell me.

[Ari]

Thanks for posting a picture.

How about if you collect some more information? If you can reach the oily area, wipe it clean with a paper towel and then track it from there (ie. drive it for a week and see what happens.) Has the level of the oil dropped when measuring with the dipstick?

In the beginning of your post you call this a "drip", but then later you say you have never actually seen a drip on your driveway or on the engine. In the photo there is no drip either, although there's obviously a film of dirty oil over a large area.

BTW, I've had oily spots like this on almost all cars that I've owned. Nothing on my 06 Prius yet, though. Let us know what you find out!

[Cheap!]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MaineJenny @ Oct 16 2006, 10:22 AM) [snapback]333412[/snapback]</div>

Please let me know if anyone had a similar issue... I will report back when I talk to the dealer next week and let you know what they tell me.


[/b]

Yes me too. I will take a picture when it stops raining. Please post what you find out.

[Pinto Girl]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MaineJenny @ Oct 16 2006, 10:22 AM) [snapback]333412[/snapback]</div>

Hello,

I was under my 2006 Prius this weekend doing its first oil change and I noticed a small oil drip coming from the underside of the engine. The oil level before the change was fine, and the leak appears to be small, but at 5K on a "green" car, I would not expect any leakage at all.

The drip appears to be coming from a gasket where the engine casing comes together. I know they say the engine takes some time to "seat" itself while the new componenets break in, so I'm really hoping this is the case here... perhaps it will go away. I have an appt at the dealership next week for them to take a look and see what they think.

I was wondering if anyone else noticed this when they were under their Prius... I have never seen a drip of oil on the driveway, so I think it might very slowly weap out at highway speed and then blow back, but never weeps enough to cause a drop on the ground.... Its very easy to spot by looking under the car.. its the main part of the engine in the middle of the car... there is an orange gasket that looks like it was caulked on at the factory. I have a picture of it attached.... please let me know if anyone had a similar issue... I will report back when I talk to the dealer next week and let you know what they tell me.



[/b]

Doesn't look to me like the red gasket in the picture is the problem, at least not in that area. And I would agree that oil is blowing back, judging by what appears to be an accumulation of dirt in the area on the right side of the picture.

My '06 has 1500 miles on her and I haven't noticed this sort of leak. Have you added oil to the car? Perhaps a teensy bit spilled, then slowly found its way down to where it is now...?

Either that, or I'd suspect something leaking higher up; but what that is I can only guess. I don't think you should have to wait for the gaskets to seat as you've suggested, though. I think that's only true for Fiats and older Harleys.

[tumbleweed]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MaineJenny @ Oct 16 2006, 08:22 AM) [snapback]333412[/snapback]</div>

Hello,
I know they say the engine takes some time to "seat" itself while the new componenets break in, so I'm really hoping this is the case here... perhaps it will go away.
https://home.comcast.net/~tomwilliam...s/OilLeak2.JPG[/img]
[/b]

I don't think oil leaks fix themselves. If it leaks it will keep leaking until fixed. The gasket in your picture is part of the PSD not the engine.

[Beryl Octet]

That just looks dirty, not "oil-y" to me, I'd suggest cleaning it with some 409 or whatever degreaser you like and see if it comes back. I tend to think that if you are not seeing oil drops on your driveway or garage, and the oil level is not dropping in 5K miles, then you have nothing to worry about.

[Beryl Octet]

I was just rereading thru this and noticed you saw this after your first oil change. Could be from changing the oil filter, some splatter from not wiping off the pan, or some spillage from refilling the oil. Either way, the same suggestions apply (clean it off and see if it comes back, keep an eye on your oil level), and probably not a big deal.

[Liberanos5]

Doing your own oil changes??? I gotta ask. What on earth for?

Paul

[ScottY]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Liberanos5 @ Oct 17 2006, 09:32 AM) [snapback]333882[/snapback]</div>

Doing your own oil changes??? I gotta ask. What on earth for?

Paul
[/b]

I gotta ask... why not??? :P

By doing your own oil change, you make sure that everything is done right. I personally enjoy taking care of my baby with my own hands and enjoy the entire process.

[tumbleweed]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Liberanos5 @ Oct 17 2006, 06:32 AM) [snapback]333882[/snapback]</div>

Doing your own oil changes??? I gotta ask. What on earth for?
Paul
[/b]

Quite a few of us on this site change our own oil. It's easy to do, I do a better job and I know it's done right. The bulk oil used at dealerships and "quickey lube" type places can be real junk. One of the people on this site, jayman I think, had a sample of new bulk oil from his Toyota dealership analyzed and it was not something I would want in my car. Some people have had Toyota dealers overfill the oil, put the wrong pressure in the tires, try to sell them a bunch of services that they didn't need, the list goes on and on.