Hi everyone.

I was busy with work, so I asked my friend to take my car in for an oil change. When she went, the mechanic at the shop mentioned it seemed like the car was leaking oil. I attached a picture that my friend took when the car was on the lift.

She said the mechanic mentioned that the tubes circled in red in the picture were covered with what seemed to be oil. Does anyone know what that tube exactly is?

Thanks

 

Looks like Transmission cooler lines to me. The crimps that attach the rubber part that goes to the Trans cooler to the metal section that runs to the trans, leak and the trans fluid runs down the outside of the pipe.

 

hmm, not sure whether they are - anyone else? Might be a/c?

Just follow the pipes and see where they lead.

Also, need to decide if the leak is in a pipe or oil of some type has dropped onto the pip(s), plus what kind of oil. And how much, since a tiny weep is one thing but a bigger leak is another!

 

I believe those are the engine oil cooler lines.

Its been along time since I have been under Joyces 3.0. I went through my hundreds of pictures.

Here is my thoughts.

If the oil is a greenish color (I cannot tell by the above picture) it would be the AC compressor, which is common.

If its engine oil then it could be the valve cover seal leaking down. This would be the easiest to diagnose from above.

Another somewhat common leak is the oil pan gasket.

I would give the underneath a good degreasing and check for leaks again in a week or so.

 

I'm with Rick on this one - from the pic the residue looks greenish - tinged - that would be AC Compressor oil.

 

Thanks everyone for your input.

Two of the main possibilities I had in my mind originally was that the compressor was leaking from above or a possible transmission fluid leak as Robert mentioned. I will make sure to notice if the oil residue has a greenish tint as it would be a dead giveaway. Thanks for that suggestion.

I'm going to take a good look underneath sometime this week. I shall be a "free bird" after this Monday (April 15th) after the US tax due date. Just too many last minute clients who want to file their tax returns...(I don't blame them though cause I am a last minute guy myself...)

Thanks again everyone!

-Sal

 

Green it is...so it must be the compressor. Looks like I have a project to do.

Special thanks again to all of you for your help. I really, really appreciate it.

-Sal

 

Your compressor is clean and dry so it looks OK. The bottom of the compressor is usually where the greenish/yellowish oil starts to collect. Wipe everything down real good and keep checking to see where it's coming from.

If it's green any chance it's anti-freeze?

If you do change the compressor use the Lincoln LS part. I got a brand new Chinese compressor, filter dryer and expansion valve with no trade in for about $210. You won't find it cheaper anywhere else.
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Thanks for your reply.

Coolant level seems to be at the right level with no loss. I cleaned everything up before I left. Maybe I'll wait a bit and check again in a week or two and see if it collects up again.

-Sal

 

My compressor leaked for a long time before it died, if the ac works, I'd wait for a bit unless you are anxious.

 

I don't think our cars came with green antifreeze and hopefully nobody's installed it since.

 

True (but worth a quick check).