What is this ? Leak from engine or transmission ?

[IdahoJeff]

Just had oil change done at dealership with just over 8,000 miles on my gladiator. Was looking over work done by local dealership to make sure no anomalies where present and I see what looks to be either the engine seal or transmission leaking ?

Sponsored

 

[KrashEd]

Usually that's a rear main leak, but if they spilled oil into the intake valley of the engine when doing the change or your oil cooler is leaking oil, it will seep down there from the back of the engine. It doesnt look fresh and looks as if it's been there a while, dried up a, but could be the picture.

 

[IdahoJeff]

Ok I appreciate your reply KrashEd and now I’m wondering do I have the dealership look into it since it’s under warranty or can I determine if it was just a spill? I honestly dread taking it in to dealership. It’s just the current world we live in just doesn’t give me a lot of confidence in their workmanship or ability.

 

[Lost1wing]

My bet would be, it is the result of a sloppy oil change. If it was the cooler leaking, I would think you would see more. If a goober makes a mess by spilling oil, he's bound to make a bigger mess trying to clean it up with a can of brake cleaner. He just moves the oil mess away from sight. It drains out the back like Krash says.

Get a light and peak down around the cooler/ filter housing. If you don't see any wet looking parts, I wouldn't be too concerned. Don't waste your time going to the dealer unless you see wetness or drips on the floor.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

My bet would be, it is the result of a sloppy oil change. If it was the cooler leaking, I would think you would see more. If a goober makes a mess by spilling oil, he's bound to make a bigger mess trying to clean it up with a can of brake cleaner. He just moves the oil mess away from sight. It drains out the back like Krash says.

Get a light and peak down around the cooler/ filter housing. If you don't see any wet looking parts, I wouldn't be too concerned. Don't waste your time going to the dealer unless you see wetness or drips on the floor.

This. Clean it up good, check the fluid levels that you can easily, monitor the area. That’ll tell you if you have a leak. If anything it’s a slow leak so you still have time to catch it. Pay attention to temps for oil and trans fluid for a while during the watch and see phase.

 

[Gizmo]

If its spilled oil from putting oil in. That area will hold almost a quart before there is enough to run over the back. Stay checking the dip stick for oil level. Thats an awful sloppy oil change if its from that

 

[IdahoJeff]

Thank you all I will take advice of clean it up and monitor after looking around oil cooler / filter housing.

 

[Labswine]

I would have your oil filter holder checked. This happened in my wife's 2019 Grand Cherokee Ltd. that has the Pentastar V-6. Those oil filter housings are known to crack. I had it replaced by my own mechanic for a lot less than the stealership would have charged. Hourly rates are cheaper, and the work is of higher quality.

The stealership probably over tightened the filter once too often and cracked the housing to it. Oil leaks out into the valley then starts dripping down the back of the engine. That oil filter thingy is plastic. There is an aluminum after market unit you can get to replace the factory plastic one.

Just my $0.02 ($0.03 Canadian).

 

[Janster]

If that was a sloppy oil change, you should see a trail of oil (or evidence) the whole way down to the tranny.
Look for an oil trail.... otherwise, that looks like a rear main leak.

 

[Jteakus]

Clean with brake parts cleaner and monitor.

 

[IdahoJeff]

So got back to house for lunch and took a look and only found oil here from dealer changing oil yesterday. I just wiped up with rag and tonight I will hit it with some brake cleaner.

 

[DFWJEEP]

Looks like they may have started the engine with the oil filter cap on it or not tighten down good.

 

[AstroZombie]

https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-13...MI1vOg1r_BlQMV2yJECB12aAKIEAAYASAAEgLx3fD_BwE

Sponsored