Oil Leak Unusual

swexlin · Jul 6, 2012

I had my oil cooler lines replaced last year, because there were leaking, common problem. Well, back when I had the car on a lift a couple months back, I noticed seepage from a line the is in front of the pan underneath, it is a hose in the center, with two O-rings on it. Oil is seeping slightly out of there. Enough to make a very slight spot under the car, actually the spot is from the blow-back onto the belly. I thought the lines were leaking again, but this seems different.

What is that line? This on on an 03.

Thanks,

Dan Cragin · Jul 6, 2012

Could you be looking at the Air conditioning line just in front of the oil pan?

Mopar Steve · Jul 6, 2012

You know where a lift is, and you know I'd be glad to take a look. Call me.

swexlin · Jul 7, 2012

Steve, we did look at it when we had it on the lift back in March. I'll see you in Carlisle in a few hours! Thanks!

swexlin · Jul 7, 2012

I think that's where I'm looking, but why leaking oil?

AbsolutHank · Jul 7, 2012

swexlin said:
I think that's where I'm looking, but why leaking oil?

Since that is an A/C hose, it's probably leaking above that line, and you're just seeing it where it runs down to the lowest point.

swexlin · Jul 7, 2012

AbsolutHank said:
Since that is an A/C hose, it's probably leaking above that line, and you're just seeing it where it runs down to the lowest point.

Gotcha, so it's still because of the danged oil cooling lines then?

AbsolutHank · Jul 8, 2012

No, I mean the source of the oil leak is probably at a point higher...you need to be following the oil trail, starting from the drips on the A/C hose upwards...it could certainly be those lines, although if they were recently replaced I'd doubt it.

swexlin · Jul 8, 2012

Thanks Hank. What is above there that could be leaking? Looking down topside from the engine with a flashlight, everything appears dry, including the oil filter and top around the oil filter.

Sonoman · Jul 8, 2012

It turns out that just about any leak on the front side of the motor ends up dripping off that A/C hose. Leaks other than valve covers or cooling lines can be more difficult and costly to fix. Could be front part of the oil pan or front main seal (crankshaft). Some of these leaks only occur when the oil is cold and pressure is highest (keep RPMs low until car has warmed up). Obviously we all want no leaks, but if it is just a couple drops and the price to repair is high, a judgement call may be to keep an eye on it (or on the garage floor!). Maddening though; I've fixed a couple hose leaks so far and holding my breath (somewhat skeptically) that everything will be good to go for a while.

swexlin · Jul 8, 2012

Sonoman said:
It turns out that just about any leak on the front side of the motor ends up dripping off that A/C hose. Leaks other than valve covers or cooling lines can be more difficult and costly to fix. Could be front part of the oil pan or front main seal (crankshaft). Some of these leaks only occur when the oil is cold and pressure is highest (keep RPMs low until car has warmed up). Obviously we all want no leaks, but if it is just a couple drops and the price to repair is high, a judgement call may be to keep an eye on it (or on the garage floor!). Maddening though; I've fixed a couple hose leaks so far and holding my breath (somewhat skeptically) that everything will be good to go for a while.

Sonoman, good advice that I already follow. In any car, I never get revs up or "get on it" until fully warmed up. As I said, it seems very minor, and rarely is enough to even drip on the floor, just a few drops. I did a 200 miles round trip to Carlisle and back yesterday, and when I got home, check underneath with a flashlight, and there was hardly anything there, and no drips. So I may just "live with it", and monitor it, as you say. Thanks for your reply.

What is maddening as you say is that when I inspect from topside with a flashlight, I see nothing, everything dry. Next time I have her in for service, I'll have the tech take a look.

Steve, I'll be in touch to get it on your lift this coming weekend or next, depending on your schedule.

wikkid · Jul 10, 2012

I would definately find the source. It would bother me that much. Let us know what you find.

swexlin · Jul 11, 2012

I will update you guys if I can find what it is.

swexlin · Jul 13, 2012

Update:

Had the car to the tech today, up on the lift. Oil cooler lines not leaking. Bottom line, they cleaned up everyting dry as a bone, put dye in the oil. They put 30 miles on her, she's dry as a bone (as was the garage floor after sitting for a week now). I have to go back in 200 miles (about 3-4 weeks for me) and they'll take another look.

swexlin · Aug 24, 2012

Update: looks like it's the pan gasket, very slight. So, I'm gonna live with it. There is some wetness at the seam near the bolts at the front of the oil pan, and I guess over time it just runs down. Never drips on the flat garage floor, only time it did was when I was parked on an incline, and the accumlated residue on the bottom of the pan ran due to gravity.

swexlin · Nov 30, 2013

swexlin said:
Update: looks like it's the pan gasket, very slight. So, I'm gonna live with it. There is some wetness at the seam near the bolts at the front of the oil pan, and I guess over time it just runs down. Never drips on the flat garage floor, only time it did was when I was parked on an incline, and the accumlated residue on the bottom of the pan ran due to gravity.

Over a year later, and still have this annoyance. I know everyone says just live with it, but I'm anal. I guess the only advice is to change out the pan gasket? Or maybe I'll still just live with it anally, LOL!

TRACKDAY · Nov 30, 2013

swexlin said:
Over a year later, and still have this annoyance. I know everyone says just live with it, but I'm anal. I guess the only advice is to change out the pan gasket? Or maybe I'll still just live with it anally, LOL!

If the price to replace the pan gasket is reasonalbe, then go for it.

I'm just like you and very anal (or OCD

) about my cars. I would lose sleep over this LOL.

If you have it repaired, then you will have piece of mind knowing the problem is solved and you won't have to deal with it again (hopefully)

.....good luck :2tu:

Viper Specialty · Nov 30, 2013

swexlin said:
Over a year later, and still have this annoyance. I know everyone says just live with it, but I'm anal. I guess the only advice is to change out the pan gasket? Or maybe I'll still just live with it anally, LOL!

Replace the gasket. Its not big bucks, nor a big deal... and its worth it for cleaning and double checking the pan slosh plate bolts while you are in there.

swexlin · Nov 30, 2013

Viper Specialty said:
Replace the gasket. Its not big bucks, nor a big deal... and its worth it for cleaning and double checking the pan slosh plate bolts while you are in there.

Yeah, you're right. I'll probably wait until spring when the car goes in for PA inspection and service. I'll do it during my standard oil change. By the way, what are the slosh plate bolts?

Allan · Nov 30, 2013

Oil pan r/r is a lot easier on the Viper than almost any other car.

Not a big deal at all.

swexlin · Dec 1, 2013

I appreciate the advice gents, thanks. I did some thread searching yesterday, and I found others with the issue. Minor, to be sure, but still annoying.

victoryman100 · Dec 2, 2013

I had the same problem, Up on jack stands, drained oil , removed filter, removed bell housing access cover, took ac line clamp bolt off, pulled dipstick tube out of pan, removed pan, cleaned , installed new gasket with sealant in corner seams, reinstalled all, new filter and oil. all done in about an hour taking my time. VERY simple job. :drive:

swexlin · Dec 2, 2013

Thanks Victoryman. Good to know the timeframe involved.

VIPER R · Dec 2, 2013

Why not think about the updated pan and pick-up while you're at it

swexlin · Dec 2, 2013

VIPER R said:
Why not think about the updated pan and pick-up while you're at it

I don't track the car, but that's not a bad idea.

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