Oil droplets on backside of engine block?

Oddly enough I had another 09 Prius in the other day for this. Cleaned affected area, placed dye in oil, advised cust to drive a few hundred miles and return. Once cust returns, will find source of leak via UV light and repair under 5yr/60k miles warranty. Have it looked at.

 

i found the same problem at the same spot on my 07 with around 50K miles at the time. i wipe the oil clean only to see it return after every 100 miles or so. the first dealer put a small bottle of dye in the engine oil to diagnose the location of the leak. after 700 miles the dye did not show up conclusively under UV light since only a drop or two of oil leaks out. that first dealer (Hillside Toyota in NJ) refused to fix the problem stating that it is normal based on the dye test, they would not fix it based on my suggestion that the timing chain cover gasket needs replaced, even suggesting that i spilled oil during oil changes.

then I went to a second dealer (Caldwell Toyota in NJ), showed them pictures, and told them oil is leaking from the timing chain cover and the gasket needs to be replaced (info gotten from this forum). the Prius tech first took out one of the bolts holding the timing chain cover to the block closest to the leak and applied sealant around it, then put it back in. i drove around for 200 miles and the leak returns. the same tech then replaced the entire timing chain cover gasket (a sealant) under the 60K mile power train warranty. while the cover is off, he also noticed the water pump (for ICE) was not spinning freely, so he replaced the pump, also under the power train warranty.

the entire repair took 5-6 hours and free for me and i got a brand new water pump. the car is at 63K right now and the leak has not returned. this repair took me 4 trips to 2 dealers.

i would suggest you go to a dealer and not have them use the dye test, if possible, since it was a waste of time for me.

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-care-maintenance-troubleshooting/81449-engine-oil-leak.html

 

Have you been parking your Prius next to a Ford? I think this is a Ford disease. :madgrin:

 

Post #3 refers to the timing chain cover which is on the "front" of the engine (i.e., the side facing the passenger-side fender.) Your title refers to the "backside" of the engine which implies this is the side facing the transaxle (or perhaps you meant the side of the engine facing the firewall?)

Please clarify the location of the leak (or else pls provide a photo zoomed out so that we can orient ourselves...) I am also wondering whether a small mirror might help you to inspect further, to see from where the leak has originated.

 

Well, it probably isn't that easy to see either from the top or the bottom. You might have to remove the RF tire and fender liner in order to get a good view of the "front" of the engine where the timing chain cover is located.

 

Timing chain cover needs to be resealed, will be covered under 5yr/60k mile warranty.

 

Yes. No TSB's (not for Prius anyway, there is one for the 1GR-FE 4.0L V6). Timing covers reseals on Toyota's are not all that uncommon. Your Prius won't likely be there first Toyota that needs a reseal that they have seen. When you take it in and they complete repair, please, please, please ask them to submit a DPR (Dealer Product Report), this is how we get TSB's and improvements in part/manufacturing quality.

 

My entire engine compartment gets a thin layer of oily scum. Any ideas?

 

My idea is to suggest that you avoid applying water on the engine valve cover when you are cleaning the engine compartment. It is easy for water to seep into the spark plug wells which will cause an engine misfire.

 

Are you sure that isn't a photo of an extraterrestrial being? :madgrin:

 

And also GM's Buick!

 

I am still not oriented. Is this area adjacent to the serpentine belt ?
If so I am wondering how or why OP found the leak in the first place.