[aidan80]

We took our cars, my 98 Tracer apparently still in good shape and my wife’s 98 Saturn in for their regular inspection and oil change.. etc The Saturn has developed a small oil leak under the engine as was noted and shown to us by our mechanic. It seems small just a trickle in the center I’m assuming rubber somewhere may have given way due to time/heat..etc and is allowing oil out?

Are there any products that you’d recommend out there that would stop this type of leak without making it any worse? We don’t have the time/money to have it investigated and fixed at this point in time plus I’m thinking if the car holds out a few more years we’ll end up getting rid of it anyway for something newer.

 

[FordMan59]

I've never had any luck using any of the sealers that they claim will stop leaks around gaskets and seals.

 

[zzyzzx]

Please clean the engine and then run the car a little and check for leaks again to find the exact spot(s) where it is leaking from. For all we know, it's leaking from the valve cover and running down to the bottom of the engine.

 

[dst]

Guilty as charged. I have had this issue for four years. At first I was told it was the threads on the oil pan, then it was the valve cover (which it most definitely isn't), and now the goop on the bottom of the car is so thick it needs to be steamed cleaned. It leaks about one or two drops every trip, big woop de do. I feel like such a bad car owner. I guess I am.

 

[Obliterous]

I feel like such a bad car owner. I guess I am.

As penance, you must turbocharge a Geo metro, take it to the track on race night, compete, and then explain why you are there to everyone who asks.

OR, you could just double-check the torque on your oil pan bolts and throw a chunk of cardboard onto your driveway.

 

[denisond3]

I think any car that is ten years old is likely to be leaking from its crankshaft seals. The only 'cure' is to pull the engine and fix it. Since I have a gravel driveway, my personal solution is to ignore it. Just check the oil occasionally. When we go to visit our one relation who has a spotless cement driveway, I park on the street in front of their house.

 

[MadBrad]

I ignore small drips from old engines. My LTZ has 256ooo km and a small drip. I think I got off easy! There's no point in spending any money. Like Denis says at that age it's likely a main seal. Who cares.

 

[SweetKittenFeet]

Try the valvoline high mileage oil. It's has seal "conditioners." Basically the swell the seals a little. Could help, might not.

 

[aidan80]

Thanks for the responses, good to know it isn't out of the ordinary or anything bad! Although my car is 10 yr old and I park it on a almost white new clean driveway and never noticed a drop of anything come from my car. Only ever notice a few minor drops from my wife's.

 

[wa1dh]

Crankshaft seals? Pull the engine? What..

Maybe for the rear main, but the front main crank seal should be behind the harmonic balancer. I did mine on my Escort and no more leaks. Pulled it out with a hook and pick set. It used to leave drops everywhere I parked.