Engine oil leak?

prasad029 · 30th March 2015, 18:14

Hi Friends,

Yesterday, I took my car for a drive (around 100 KMS) and came back and could see no oil leakage. I am hoping it will not have any leakage in future.

Sankar · 30th March 2015, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by prasad029

They have charged me Rs. 629 for Oil Pump Gasket (549.34 + Taxes) and told me that they are going to send the oil pump to Maruti for a check and see if I will be getting any warranty. And as a Goodwill gesture, they did not charge me on that for now. The supervisor says they will call me if I have to pay any extra amount in 3 months.

He's just bluffing. The warranty was approved and that's why you received an invoice with 0.00 amount for the timing case and so they're not going to call you for that payment. Getting that replaced and getting the oil leak fixed was your right under EW contract.

sonic_boom · 6th May 2015, 00:39

Hi All. I noticed a fairly large patch of oil near my parked Alto tonight. I was pretty worried as I have faced sump damage on my low slung Baleno earlier so checked the oil level with the dipstick immediately.
I was shocked to find that there was almost no oil at all and the level was way below the minimum mark on the dipstick!

A picture says a thousand words but a video should be even better. Hence I have shot a video of the sump and engine bay and shared below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfDPlj672lU

Could the experts please asses the situation and let me know what the likely cause is as I don't want to be ripped off by the local mechanic/ A.S.S ?

a4anurag · 6th May 2015, 00:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonic_boom

A picture says a thousand words but a video should be even better. Hence I have shot a video of the sump and engine bay and shared below.

Get the oil sump opened, drain the oil in it (if anything is there) and then change the sump gasket. Refit and check for leakage.

Reason I am saying this from the video posted at '00:18' the whole sump seems drenched in oil plus the gasket area along the tightening bolts is soaked in oil.

One main question to you: Have you driven the car with this condition? If yes, how many kilometres?

sonic_boom · 6th May 2015, 01:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by a4anurag

One main question to you: Have you driven the car with this condition? If yes, how many kilometers?

It's impossible to say accurately, as when I first noticed the leak I had just parked the car back at home. But surely no more that 15 kms.

a4anurag · 6th May 2015, 01:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonic_boom

It's impossible to say accurately, as when I first noticed the leak I had just parked the car back at home. But surely no more that 15 kms.

Oops. Get this done ASAP - - Do NOT delay anymore.

What I suggest you is, after the engine cools down, check the oil level. If it is dismally low then buy engine oil - 1 or 2 litres and top it up. Then drive it to the mechanic and change the gasket.

Do NOT drain this oil as it is fresh, free use it after gasket change. If it is contaminated try filtering it using a clean muslin cloth (not sure if this filtering technique will work).

saket77 · 6th May 2015, 10:47

I think Anurag is correct. The oil does not seem to leak from the drain plug or the filter. Looks like the sump gasket has given up going by the look of it. Check oil level after at least 15-20 minutes of shutting the engine off. That should give a proper reading. Remember, the dipstick will show nil oil if the oil level goes below 1.5-2 litres. Driving or even cranking the engine in such a situation is a strict NO-NO. If the leak is not major, you may top up the oil and drive to MASS, given it is not too far. You should also check the rate of leakage after starting the engine if going by this route.

Best bet is to call MASS people at the spot and fix it then & there. My car suffered a major oil leak about a couple of years ago due to leaking filter. People from MASS came over, changed the filter and filled new oil in my parking lot without any extra charge.

sandeepmohan · 6th May 2015, 13:25

Is this a Suzuki or a Fiat? The drive belt reads FPT, which is Fiat Power Train.

a4anurag · 6th May 2015, 14:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

Is this a Suzuki or a Fiat? The drive belt reads FPT, which is Fiat Power Train.

It is a Maruti Suzuki Alto. Part sharing I guess.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonic_boom

Could the experts please asses the situation and let me know what the likely cause is as I don't want to be ripped off by the local mechanic/ A.S.S ?

Any update on the issue? Did you visit MASS or FNG?

amitk26 · 6th May 2015, 15:08

As anurag says top up the oil first ,before you ask them to change seal ask to
check the oil return hose sometimes if hose clamp is loose or rubber tube is cracked it may leak from there.

Also take it to MASS rather then FNG as they will have right parts.

sonic_boom · 7th May 2015, 01:21

*Update* - The was oil topped up all the way today and the oil seals changed. Dad already took the car to the non-MASS mechanic before I woke up who suggested opening the timing belt etc to fix the issue for good but I refused.

There's still minor leakage remaining so will call up MASS tomorrow and have them take a look

a4anurag · 7th May 2015, 01:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonic_boom

*Update* - The was oil topped up all the way today and the oil seals changed. Dad already took the car to the non-MASS mechanic before I woke up who suggested opening the timing belt etc to fix the issue for good but I refused.

There's still minor leakage remaining so will call up MASS tomorrow and have them take a look

The minor leak is which area?

Is the oil seal that was changed belonging to sump (read gasket)?

dumdum · 7th May 2015, 12:55

Is it the washer on the drain plug that you changed?
Also, can't you follow the trail of the leak to find the general area the leak is originating from? If you show us some more pictures, maybe we can help isolate the cause.

sonic_boom · 11th May 2015, 14:30

Sorry for the late reply as I was travelling back from Delhi to Mumbai. The issue is resolved now by the MASS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by a4anurag

The minor leak is which area?

Is the oil seal that was changed belonging to sump (read gasket)?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dumdum

Is it the washer on the drain plug that you changed?
Also, can't you follow the trail of the leak to find the general area the leak is originating from? If you show us some more pictures, maybe we can help isolate the cause.

I wished I had taken a picture but the part that MASS replaced. It was a rubber seal a little bigger that the circle made by one's thunb and index finger.

The repair was extremely cheap at about 400 INR all inclusive (gotta love the Alto for that).

Lesson learnt from this episode is that never get a car with already low maintainance costs repaired by the roadside mechanic. Not worth it.

ZMG · 10th December 2016, 13:36

Hi,

I have a 2004 Honda City, which has done about 1.08 Lakh KMS.
Off late I have been noticing very little oil falling from the car when parked for more than a day.

Took it to a FNG, and he said the seal needs to replaced. He said he has to open the gear box for the same. The oil leak is from the engine I think.

He quoted an amount of Rs. 2500 for the job.
If anyone has been through the same, is it a fair quote? Also is it better to get it done from an Authorised service center?

Thanks.

30th March 2015, 18:14	#31
prasad029 Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 6 Thanked: Once	Re: Maruti Swift - Oil Leak! Hi Friends, Yesterday, I took my car for a drive (around 100 KMS) and came back and could see no oil leakage. I am hoping it will not have any leakage in future.
	() Thanks

6th May 2015, 10:47	#37
saket77 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ranchi Posts: 4,396 Thanked: 12,023 Times	Re: Alto major engine Oil leak! I think Anurag is correct. The oil does not seem to leak from the drain plug or the filter. Looks like the sump gasket has given up going by the look of it. Check oil level after at least 15-20 minutes of shutting the engine off. That should give a proper reading. Remember, the dipstick will show nil oil if the oil level goes below 1.5-2 litres. Driving or even cranking the engine in such a situation is a strict NO-NO. If the leak is not major, you may top up the oil and drive to MASS, given it is not too far. You should also check the rate of leakage after starting the engine if going by this route. Best bet is to call MASS people at the spot and fix it then & there. My car suffered a major oil leak about a couple of years ago due to leaking filter. People from MASS came over, changed the filter and filled new oil in my parking lot without any extra charge.
	() Thanks

6th May 2015, 13:25	#38
sandeepmohan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 3,133 Thanked: 5,443 Times	Re: Oil Leak! Is this a Suzuki or a Fiat? The drive belt reads FPT, which is Fiat Power Train.
	() Thanks

6th May 2015, 15:08	#40
amitk26 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,089 Thanked: 715 Times	Re: Oil Leak! As anurag says top up the oil first ,before you ask them to change seal ask to check the oil return hose sometimes if hose clamp is loose or rubber tube is cracked it may leak from there. Also take it to MASS rather then FNG as they will have right parts.
	() Thanks

7th May 2015, 01:21	#41
sonic_boom BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: USA Posts: 138 Thanked: 16 Times	Re: Oil Leak! Update - The was oil topped up all the way today and the oil seals changed. Dad already took the car to the non-MASS mechanic before I woke up who suggested opening the timing belt etc to fix the issue for good but I refused. There's still minor leakage remaining so will call up MASS tomorrow and have them take a look
	() Thanks

7th May 2015, 12:55	#43
dumdum BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 53 Thanked: 32 Times	Re: Oil Leak! Is it the washer on the drain plug that you changed? Also, can't you follow the trail of the leak to find the general area the leak is originating from? If you show us some more pictures, maybe we can help isolate the cause.
	() Thanks

10th December 2016, 13:36	#45
ZMG BHPian Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Bangalore Posts: 104 Thanked: 143 Times	Re: Engine oil leak? Hi, I have a 2004 Honda City, which has done about 1.08 Lakh KMS. Off late I have been noticing very little oil falling from the car when parked for more than a day. Took it to a FNG, and he said the seal needs to replaced. He said he has to open the gear box for the same. The oil leak is from the engine I think. He quoted an amount of Rs. 2500 for the job. If anyone has been through the same, is it a fair quote? Also is it better to get it done from an Authorised service center? Thanks.
	() Thanks