Noticed a spot under the xj6 today.

Driver's side of engine wet and small amount of oil on block below oil filter. It has been about 2,000 miles since the oil was changed and this just started.

I did not have time to get underneath and look up but the drip is coming from the rear of the filter area (filter feels dry).

Any ideas on what this could be?

P1400 code was present as well.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

Couple of things in that area.

Oil switch, on top of the oil filter housing, and easy to get at, NOT, and is a common issue now with age.

Being a 4ltr, you got an engine oil cooler,and the pipes for that thing are attached to the bottom of that same housing, and are sealed with an o/ring on each pipe. They also are getting common issues now.

 

<p>&lt;p&gt;Thanks Grant, hope I will have a chance to look at it this evening. Even though it is tight, is it possible for a backyard monkey to make the repair, right? I'll just make sure no women and children are around. :-)&lt;/p&gt;</p>

 

This photo with all the peripheral clutter of suspension out of the way could make it easier for you to work out where the drip could be coming from as you won't get this clear a view on your vehicle either from above or below:



It could be as simple as a faulty seal on the Oil Filter. If not, there's several possibilities with the O Rings on the Oil Cooler Adaptor (item 1) to Bypass Connector (item 4):


(click on the image to enlarge it)

Graham

 

In Grahams illustration it was the #7 O-rings leaking on mine. Easy to replace. I think that's what Grant is referring to as well, except the the illustration is for models without the cooler hoses.

Cheers
DD

 

Yep, that is a 3.2ltr, and the USA market never got that engine, so the alloy "boomerang" is not on the 4ltr, there are 2 oil cooler hoses in that area.

 

Thanks for all of the input on this!

Drip is from above, rear of the filter, which is why I didn't really see anything that could be the cause. Possibly a pin-hole or bad gaskget I guess would be first area to check. I used a Purolator "gold" filter on the last oil change FWIW. I will have to get a better look to truly locate the source and let you know.

 

The X300 U.S market never had an oil cooler. It was deleted after the XJ40.

The 'U' shaped pipe has 4 'O' rings that get 'crunchy' and leak.

bob gauff

 

OK, thanks again for everyone's input. I got home late (again) last night and had a chance to look at it from above and I was getting concerned when I could not see cooler lines but could clearly see the "boomerang". Now I feel better about what I saw after motorcarman's post. It is annoying but not dumping tons so I will proceed to fix her on Saturday.

Are the o-rings an odd size or special compound?

 

Yep, my bad there, sorry for that.

My o/rings were simply from the standard selection in the box in my shed, with a smear of RTV as a dressing, just for good measure.

 

Thanks to everyone!
This was not bad to do while the car was placed safely on ramps. It took about 20 minutes and that included wiping up the oil drops on the oil pan, trans cooler lines, etc.
This is absolutely one of the best forums on the net!
Bucky