I think I've sprung a leak :-(
 

So, was all excited today because I put my Needswings DCAI in. Car runs great, all clearance and connections are perfect. After driving semi normal for most of the day, I wanted to "test" it out a bit, so I ran her hard for about 15 minutes.

I get back to my office 2 minutes ago and decide to re-check everything. Low & behold, the passenger side of the engine compartment is soaked. I don't know what fluid it is, but smells like oil. My valve covers were just done 2 weeks ago. I took a couple pics and in one of the pics I've noticed the dipstick is lifted a bit. Maybe I hit it during the intake instal. Could that be the cause? I also checked my coolant isolation kit and it's all tight, no leaks.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cro...00e1dea84.jpeg


Pics are attached
I noticed the dipstick lifted in this pic

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cro...98db93102.jpeg

Re: I think I've sprung a leak :-(
 

That is a LOT of oil. Start it up and find out, but I'd bet you it's the dipstick.
Although it seems like a lot for a loose dipstick.

Re: I think I've sprung a leak :-(
 

I drove it home from my office (about 4-6 minutes depending on lights) and rechecked. Definitely more oil, but not splattered all over like when I first checked.

Anybody with any thoughts on what I could be :confused:

I tried to get a good pic of the puddle on the catch pan.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cro...b59bbd9db.jpeg

Looks like I'll be taking it in tomorrow before I leave for the shore.

Re: I think I've sprung a leak :-(
 

Is the o-ring on the dipstick? I don't see it.

Re: I think I've sprung a leak :-(
 

:( Dang that's a lot of 'oil'(?). I would thoroughly clean up ALL the existing, and then make sure the dipstick 'o' ring is there PLUS check and make sure the oil filter cap 'o' ring is in the correct slot in the cap. After that, I would check all the upper valve cover areas for any broken or loose lines. Then, and only then, I would start the car and look for a leak. Limit the RPM's, there has to be a source you should have in mind from where the most oil was located before you cleaned it all up. It may be that all that oil was pushed out the dipstick tube (lower end pressure). If the dipstick keeps 'pushing' itself out, you have big troubles (ring or valve blowby?). Good luck! :(

Re: I think I've sprung a leak :-(
 

Years ago I had an oil change shop not tighten down the oil filter enough and had the same thing...OIL EVERYWHERE, plus all the way down the underside of the car.

I would guess it all came through the dip stick, even with those o rings, it needs to be seated in there good.

Re: I think I've sprung a leak :-(
 

Woke up this morning and the oil "pool" was not any worse. Took the chance and drove the car around my development to see if there was any change or additional splatter while driving, and no change (to my eye).

Brought it to my MB mechanic and he assured me that it was the dipstick. He said the o ring is fine and that I probably knocked it out a bit while installing the intake. He capped off the oil and sent me on my way. The car will sit in my garage till Sunday as I'm going away, but should be all good.

Never would've thought that could shoot that much oil. Apparently with the amount of pressure these cars have, it's definitely possible. He said there's nothing else in that area that could leak oil like that, especially since my valve cover gaskets are brand new.

I'll keep an eye on it, but for now definitely breathing sigh of relief!

As usual, thanks for all the help!

-Shawn

Re: I think I've sprung a leak :-(
 

If it was the dip stick - wow....however, this may be a sign of something else.

The engine cavity. where the oil is - should be under a negative pressure provided by the vacuum line into the SC inlet (post throttle). This is to recycle oil back to the combustion chambers. Some add "catch cans" to separate this out so it doesn't go through the engine.

When you had the covers off, check to see if anyone knows if the galleries in the Left hand bank cover where all nice and clean/cleaned. If they are blocked - this vacuum may be hindered/non existent.

Re: I think I've sprung a leak :-(
 

The NW catch can is definitely the very near next mod on my list. When I pulled out the dipstick last night while the engine was running, the vacuum pressure was absolutely present. It's the first time I pulled I had actually pulled it out on the car while it was running and was taken back by the the amount of vacuum the car had. I mentioned that to my mechanic this morning and he said that's definitely a good thing.

I'm not a very "mechanic-y" type person, so taking on the intake instal was huge for me. My guess was that one of the coolant isolation hoses lifted the dipstick out during the instal. Either way, I'll certainly be monitoring it when I get back from my trip on Sunday. I may have a family member go over to check on it to see if there's anything else coming out or on my garage floor.

My next task is going to be figuring out how to clean the oil off everything in the engine bay lol.... Suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Re: I think I've sprung a leak :-(
 

:) Is that vacuum present during a 'boost' condition? OP said took it out for a 15 min hard run and found all the oil? :)

Re: I think I've sprung a leak :-(
 

I don't really follow. I got done around 3:00 with the intake instal. I drove the car around the block "lightly" (as not to piss my neighbors off), checked under the hood and it looked all good. Never even crossed my mind to check the dipstick, I was focused on the power steering hoses and connections and the awesomeness of the new intake. I have a couple pics from right after the instal, but they're all from above and cannot tell at al if the dipstick is out or not.

After that, drove it to my office (7 mins away) for my 3:30 appointment, did not check under the hood. Went home the "long" way about 6:30 to play around with the car a little bit. Ran it moderately hard on the main roads, higher rpm's, but for shorter intervals.

After dinner, took it for a 15 minute highway ride, pushed it very hard around 7:45-8:00 then went back to my office and noticed a strong oil smell. I popped the hood and it looked like oil splatter over the left side (as shown in the pics), including the top of the new intake tubes. My first thought was WTF and thought my intake tube had melted a hose or something. Took a couple pics quickly so I could document and seek advice here, then I pulled the dipstick out to see how much oil was left and that is when I felt the vacuum. I didn't know if that was normal or not because my other cars have not been like that as far as I can remember.

At that point I shut the car off, went into my office, reviewed the pics and realized the dipstick was hanging out a bit before I ever even thought about touching it.

I left my office around 10:15 last night and drove it home not letting it go past 2000-2200 RPMs.

Hopefully my chain of events helps answer the question lol. Sorry for the long reply :D

-Shawn

Re: I think I've sprung a leak :-(
 

Should always be negative at the vacuum line point - if it wasnt there's no driving force to suck air into the engine.
The positive boost condition is after the intercooler>>supercharger which is after >> the throttle body.

Not to confuse things...most of the time the MAP registers negative prs anyways until you're over 2500rpm and you'll find during casual city driving this is not very often unless you hook it.

Re: I think I've sprung a leak :-(
 

:) Yeah, we just do not know exactly when the oil came out (or even where). According to the OP, the last run B4 he smelled oil, he "pushed it very hard". With a loose dipstick, I thought maybe that's when some positive pressure came into play. Not being an expert, I'll just drop it as my $0.02 cents worth, hope the OP found the problem/corrected it. Good luck Shawn! :)

Re: I think I've sprung a leak :-(
 

I'm happy to report that I sent my brother in law to go drive the car this morning and check on it twice today, drove it again with absolutely zero oil spill noted anywhere! Nor were there any puddles or even droplets on my garage floor after having it sit overnight since I left yesterday. I feel like I left my sick baby at home lol

For now though, I'm 100% confidant that the problem is solved. I'll definitely keep an eye on it and continue to enjoy the car.

Ps: my brother in law just sold his 05' Vette 6 months ago and now has the itch to get and SRT6 :p A couple laps around the neighborhood in that car will do it ya!

-Shawn

Re: I think I've sprung a leak :-(
 

I would also remove the belt, and thoroughly clean every pulley and idiler, and make sure the belt doesn't have any residual fluid within the grooves.