Oil Leak

[XanderWiFi]

A few days ago I did a GM top end treatment through my PCV valve and I put some seafoam in the crankcase to clean up the oil components. The next day I do an oil change and I notice a dark fluid dripping from a piece of plastic under the bumper almost immediately in front of the drivers side wheel. I touch it, smell it, smells like washer fluid but darkened, discard it as such and proceed with changing my oil.

So after changing the oil, the fluid is now clear and has much more of an oil consistency and smell (I think it smelled like washer fluids from the Top End treatments). So great, I have an oil leak. I pop the trunk and jack it up to see if I can find a source but I have not had any luck. So I turn to you guys...theories on locations and problems associated with costs? Has Angel finally blown a gasket and this is her demise? Checked oil today (couple days after initially finding it) and all levels are more than max if not at max though every time I go out I find a decent sized spot of leaked oil.

[[ion] C2]

There's no engine oil traveling around the driver's side wheel... it's something else.

[XanderWiFi]

I know that. But it is running from somewhere and just dripping from that area. I only feel so strongly that it is oil because of the color change in the leaking fluid from before and after the oil change.

[Redog]

Sounds like tranny fliud.

I know there's a cooling line in that area.

If you can get just the $30 "O" ring it will save you about $250

[XanderWiFi]

I still don't know how to explain the change in the fluid color from before and after an oil change. No overheating problems and such. Some instruction on locating the o-ring would be appreciated please and thank you.

[XanderWiFi]

nada? I'm pretty upset about it. May be the end of my car. I need an engine anatomy lesson I believe because all I can think is that a gasket or seal is blown and I don't have the equipment or time to open up my entire engine.

[clutch1]

Get a smoke machine. Pull out dipstick. Insert smoke machine. Pump crankcase full of smoke and look for where it comes out (that it shouldn't, obviously).

Boom.

[XanderWiFi]

Get a smoke machine. Pull out dipstick. Insert smoke machine. Pump crankcase full of smoke and look for where it comes out (that it shouldn't, obviously).

Boom.

Sounds like a good plan in theory but I haven't thrown a rave in a while...never heard of the technique and don't know how smoke would actually permeate oil. Are you being serious?

[clutch1]

Yep, they make pressurized smoke machines for finding vacuum leaks, exhaust leaks, etc. They work wonders.

[XanderWiFi]

where can you find these at?

[xnick]

I still don't know how to explain the change in the fluid color from before and after an oil change. No overheating problems and such. Some instruction on locating the o-ring would be appreciated please and thank you.

Can't help with the tranny line o-ring, but I wouldn't rule it as just oil because it could be tranny fluid with some built up grime and road debris in it, then wiping it off and letting fresh fluid drain down made it clear... I'm not expert just some thoughts!

[xnick]

I still don't know how to explain the change in the fluid color from before and after an oil change. No overheating problems and such. Some instruction on locating the o-ring would be appreciated please and thank you.

Can't help with the tranny line o-ring, but I wouldn't rule it as just oil because it could be tranny fluid with some built up grime and road debris in it, then wiping it off and letting fresh fluid drain down made it clear... I'm not expert just some thoughts!

[XanderWiFi]

Can't help with the tranny line o-ring, but I wouldn't rule it as just oil because it could be tranny fluid with some built up grime and road debris in it, then wiping it off and letting fresh fluid drain down made it clear... I'm not expert just some thoughts!

It would make me feel a little bit better than if it were leaking oil. It is possible, though I thought tranny fluid was more reddish and just darkened as it burnt. It is possible though...el paso has a lot of mountains that I imagine have been tough on the tranny.

[xnick]

It would make me feel a little bit better than if it were leaking oil. It is possible, though I thought tranny fluid was more reddish and just darkened as it burnt. It is possible though...el paso has a lot of mountains that I imagine have been tough on the tranny.

It is reddish, but if it's got grime in it, it would be black. That grime could come from outside of the tranny, not inside (inside is doubtful).

And being tough on the tranny is probably not the cause. Sometimes the lines can crack, or some things can corrode and cause a leak. I'm not familiar with where the tranny oil lines are on the 3400, or if it's even plausible since it's coming from the driver side.

My suggestion to you, is to do the smoke test like suggested above on the crank case. If you end up leak free, then start at the deposit and work your way back to the source!

[XanderWiFi]

I just don't have the equipment to do a thorough inspection...I'm putting her in the shop today...

[clutch1]

The shop will have the right stuff, that's for sure.

[XanderWiFi]

Turns out that it is the GM top end cleaner that leaked down my CAI and it essentially breaking everything down in the filter...So what I am seeing is the dissolved oil off of my K&n filter...the follies of an amateur home mechanic.