Leaking some kind of oil - but only after a cold start (Page 1/1)
Cliff Pennock AUG 11, 06:22 PM
In the past few weeks, I had one of the transmission lines repaired (because it was leaking) and I have replaced my rear calipers and pads myself.

A few days ago, I noticed a few very noticeable oil traces in the street where I live. They actually went from my parking spot to where I (always) turn my car. I checked if it was water but it was oil - although I couldn't really tell (by the color) what kind of oil. The traces are thick so my car is loosing a lot of oil in a short period of time. But the traces are at most 50 feet long, so it stops leaking after only a few moments. I have looked under the car but see nothing leaking. I could try looking under the car while driving, but that might not be the best of ideas. 😄

My car (automatic) shifts fine. And by the amount of oil that's leaking, if it was transmission oil I should be noticing something by now. It also brakes without problems. Not sure how to check if it's brake oil.

Anyway, I only see those traces of oil in my street. And not on other spots where I have parked the car for a shorter amount of time (an hour at most). I suspect it's transmission oil since that is what has been repaired recently but I can't figure out why it would only leak after a cold start. And again, I can't see it leaking it the car stands still (with engine running and in gear).

Soooo.. thoughts?
Patrick AUG 11, 06:32 PM

Check fluid levels! The level is going down somewhere.
steve308 AUG 11, 08:09 PM
Check around the distributor. The o-ring fails and oil pushes out.
theogre AUG 11, 09:02 PM
Brake Fluid Is Not Oil and "eats" paint, asphalt, and more. Even "eat" alloy wheel if leaks on them. Can feel "hot" or otherwise annoy skin when touch.
Look at back of wheels to see if caliper(s) leaking.

Trans and Motor oils can leak when cold too.

Or whatever is leaking is pooling until you move the car.
Find a GoPro etc and watch under a moving car is not hard...

------------------
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(Jurassic Park)

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greenturnedblue AUG 11, 11:08 PM
What color is it?
Cliff Pennock AUG 12, 10:05 AM
I found out it's transmission fluid. The color was red. The only thing I don't understand is why it only leaks when the car has been standing still for quite a while. And by the amount it has lost so far, I should have noticed something by now. In corners or during hard braking/accelerating. Maybe they overfilled it?

I'll take it back to the garage on monday.