Member Since: 18 Jun 2021
Location: Derby
Posts: 43
Lost all engine oil today
I serviced my car at the weekend, as I've done many times before, and there have been no signs of leaks all week.
Until today that is, when apparently it lost all it's oil on the way to work and whilst in the car park (I assume).
I drove it for a couple of miles after work as didn't have an oil light, and when the oil light did come on it was flicking on and off and looked more like an electrical fault. When I did pull over and check the oil level, it is pretty much empty and there is a big puddle under the car now.
Assuming I did refit the filter and sump plug correctly, what else should I be looking for? Are there any obvious culprits it could be that would cause a sudden and significant loss like this?
Edited to add, it's parked on a slope so most of the oil has leaked out the front, but there are patches all over. I'll get under it to look tomorrow but I don't believe that it's because the sump plug wasn't sufficiently tightened, or overtightened.
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
4th Jan 2024 9:26 pm
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 4725
Check the oil filter housing, if overtightened it can crack. The other less likely culprit is the front crank oil seal has been spat out. There are other possibilities, but go for the oil filter first and any other areas you were working on.yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
4th Jan 2024 10:25 pm
loanrangie
Member Since: 18 Jun 2017
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 617
Drop the bash plate and check where its running down from or if its from the drain plug or frontal area.
5th Jan 2024 12:48 am
Ali4390
Member Since: 18 Jun 2021
Location: Derby
Posts: 43
I've been under the car but still not closer to figuring out where the problem is.
The sump is the dryest part of the car and the plug is fine. All of the crossmembers are covered, as is the gearbox. In fact the gearbox is where it's pooling the most.
Click image to enlarge
Is the best way to check the oil filter housing for cracks to remove it?
5th Jan 2024 1:54 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10398
Getting a torch on the filter and rotating a turn should be enough to inspect. Then turn back to where it naturaly stops. But it would expect the Vee of engine to be full of oil and obvious if it was that.
Maybe you want to put 2.5 litres of oil in (if no oil on dipstick) and start engine on the flat.
See what the engine sounds like (and long term damage) and maybe see if it starts leaking. Don’t drive it anywhere.
There is a crank seal between engine and gearbox. Could be that.
5th Jan 2024 2:02 pm
Ali4390
Member Since: 18 Jun 2021
Location: Derby
Posts: 43
Ah so the oil filter housing is just the black cover? That's not damaged, I've already checked that.
So the crank seal could be a culprit then, is there a guide on how to get to?
5th Jan 2024 2:37 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10398
It’s rare for it to fail catastrophically.
Not aware of a guide.
Basically remove gearbox, change seal. Reinstall crank sensor and trigger wheel correctly!
Start engine if you can to ensure crank sensor works.
Reinstall gearbox
But you need to find the leak before guessing.
5th Jan 2024 3:32 pm
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 4725
I've never seen a rear crank seal fail, it could be the vacuum pump seal which is on the rear of the cyl head on the drivers side of the engine. Or, the cam shaft seal on the rear of the P/S of the engine.
Given the vast quantity of oil loss the likely failure if not the oil filter housing itself, will be the oil cooler it's attached to. Slide something long and thin down into the centre of the engine "Vee" beneath the oil filter and see if it comes out wet with black oil. If it does, either the cooler has failed, the oil filter housing is cracked, or the seal is damaged/missing.
Bear in mind this problem only occurred immediately after maintenance, so go over everything again carefully!yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
5th Jan 2024 4:04 pm
loanrangie
Member Since: 18 Jun 2017
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 617
Ali4390 wrote:
Ah so the oil filter housing is just the black cover? That's not damaged, I've already checked that.
So the crank seal could be a culprit then, is there a guide on how to get to?
Not just the cover, its a plastic and alloy housing with a gasket between it and the engine block.
You could spray degreaser underneath so its basically clean then trace the path of the fresh oil leak.
7th Jan 2024 4:23 am
Farmer Chalk
Member Since: 07 Mar 2013
Location: Independent Republic of Kentishshire.
Posts: 4158
Without teaching anyone to suck eggs did you replace the rubber seal around the base of the filter housing and smear oil on the new one before replacing the filter housing? It could be the seal has twisted or snagged and hence oil blowing out there.. bearing in mind the only thing that has changed in the interim is the sump plug and oil filter housing post service and you weren’t losing oil prior, I would definitely take the filter housing off again..
7th Jan 2024 10:37 am
Pimpintgepidge
Member Since: 17 Sep 2019
Location: Glossop
Posts: 123
I agree, trace your last steps before looking elsewhere….2015 D4 HSE Loire Blue
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