2005 Crossfire Limited Roadster - NA - Automatic Trans
I removed the shield under the engine to do service, found oil on the engine side of the shield. Just enough to know it is oil and make the shield shiny, but not enough to run when the shield is set on its edge … so I’m not talking about a lot of oil. The bottom back edge of the AC compressor had an oil drip hanging from it, as well as 4 drips hanging from the oil pan. The drips on the pan are in line behind the AC compressor.

Both valve cover gaskets were replaced for upper and lower covers 3 years ago. Oil level sensor was replaced, and lower oil pan gasket was replaced year and a half ago. No drips from oil pan drain plug, oil level sensor, or oil pan gasket.

I searched visually using LED lights from the top and bottom of the engine, no oil trails found. I then searched by hand from the top and bottom of the engine, no wet spots or trails found.

I know I am not talking about a lot of oil, but it is something I would like to correct if I can find the source.

Where should I focus my attention? Or not worry about it?

 

Give it a good wash and check it in 4 weeks. How many miles do you drive? If it’s excessive just keep an eye on the oil. But like you said, there isn’t much there and you cannot locate the source

 

Have you checked between the bell housing and the transmission?

 

M60A3Driver ... I have not checked that area but will today ... but this bring up a question, how would the oil migrate from the rear of the engine to the front? wouldn't driving alone push anything toward the rear with the air flowing that direction? just trying to get it straight in my mind ... I will check and report back

 

I don't drive it much ... getting ready to put it away for the winter ... it's a sunny day car for us
car currently has 99400 miles, I have drove it 6000 miles in the last 3 years ... not a lot

 

Have you checked between the bell housing and the transmission?

Checked this area and no drips between bell housing and trans, looks good ... have not had drips on the floor from this area or even near this area

 

I'd take a good look at those valve covers again. Super common. Even when new.

Les

 

Checked covers again ... everything is dry and torque correct

 

Maybe the residue is left from 3 years ago when you had the leak?

 

That's a good thing that there was no oil between the bell housing and the engine. That's a possible indication of the rear main seal leaking.
As ZERACER mentioned maybe it's residual oil. It may be trapped in the spark plug wells or some other crevice from your prior leak and occasionally drips out.

 

Residue did come to mind but wasn't sure some would still be there after 3 years ... but then I don't drive it a lot either so it could be ... right now it will most likely be Spring 2025 before I get the car out again
Thank you for the help and suggestions

 

I had a similar problem back in SEP. Oil dripped enough to put a small stain on my driveway. When I removed the Splash Shield from below the engine, there was oily residue on the inside of the cover just below the drain plug. Noting where the residue was located, I took a good look at the underside of the engine. Turned out I found a small drip coming from the oil drain plug. I had used the last of my Oil-Tite 14 mm crushable gasket washers. These are like a spark plug crushable washer. When I looked closely at the drain plug, I saw the washer installed backwards, which was causing a small drip from the oil pan. I couldn't remember whether I tightened the drain plug to the proper torque value, so I may have over-tightened it. I removed the drain plug, collected the oil in my drain pan, cleaned the drain plug & installed a smooth copper washer (to the proper torque value of 22 ft-lbs) that met the specs for the

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Poured the oil back into the engine thru the oil fill port (no sense in removing the oil filter & using that port). Started the car & checked for leaks. Didn't find any, so I buttoned up the bottom and got the Crossfire off the ramps. I've checked for signs of that leak just this weekend & everything still looks good.

 

I did an oil and filter change while I was trying to track down my leak ... before draining oil, the drain plug and surrounding area was dry and no drips from that location ... the oil residue on the inside of the engine shield is located on the driver side at the front of the engine ... I'm not getting any oil spots on my garage floor, only the inside of the engine shield

 

I have almost the same. No oil stains on the floor, but a bit "wet" on the back of the engine block, near the gearbox. I am considering using Valvoline Max Life oil (it has MB 229.3 approval). It is designed to stop leaks and restore the elasticity of rubber elements. Maybe it will work...

 

Thank you for the lead to Valvoline, I will look into that ... my slow leak is at the front of the engine block on the driver side

 

Keep an eye on your power steering fluid.

 

Great suggestion, that possibility had not dawned on me.

makes perfect sense

 

I did check all fluids , power steering was good as was the others ... I am getting the car ready for winter so was going over everything

 

I may have found the source ... a couple years ago I replaced the oil level sensor and lower pan gasket at the same time ... did everything right and torqued the pan bolts per the service manual ... I never checked the torque after that until today ... I found several pan bolts that took a slight turn before clicking and most are in the location of my slow leak, right near the AC compressor ....
I will run the car a few times and recheck the torque again and look for evidence of my slow leak ...
Could this have been the source?

 

I would think so.
It's happened with valve cover bolts.