My 97 XK dropped a lot of oil on the floor today. Its coming from under the exhaust manifold heat shield on the right side of the engine as you sit in the driver seat and towards the rear of the engine.
I know the starter is under there but what else is under there that would suddenly spout oil? And I mean, a lot of oil!
I did notice that it started from cold and ran at 1100rpm constant for about 10mins before a lot of smoke came up from the manifold.
I've found a picture of a pipe coming out under the right manifold, Would this be the culprit? sorry about the size of it!

 

There is a COOLANT pipe to the area near the throttle assy from the right side of the engine if that is what you are asking about.

bob

 

Thanks Bob but this leak is definitely oil and a lot of it. Its virtually pumping out.

 

Have you been having any leaks before? Have you been needing to top off oil over the last couple of months, or was it all of a sudden?

How far rear and right do you think the leak is? For example, is it mainly to the rear but just a little to the right, or vice versa?

 

Hi. Its never used any oil between oil service. The oil is visible on the right side of the engine and is falling down onto the steering rack at the column end (RHD). I've not had time to jack it up yet but I'd like to have any info on what pipework there is just under the exhaust manifold. I can't start it or oil gushes out. Its quite dark in colour so I'm suspecting an oil cooler pipe. I'm not sure where the gearbox fluid cooler pipes run.

 

Transmission lines are on the left side.

 

Oil filter...which is at the front of the engine on the right side, but not near the front edge of the car.

Otherwise, it could be oil or transmission fluid from the main seal area between the engine and transmission. When my transmission failed, it pumped transmission fluid from that area at an alarming rate.

I'd root for the oil filter as it should be easy to fix.

 

The oil cooler pipes (if you have oil cooling) connect to the front bottom of the engine. The oil filter is slightly farther back on the right side but still toward the front.

You may be able to get your head under to look at both of those without jacking up the car. I can just manage to squeeze mine to that area. Or you can feel around.

On the bright side, it might not be the rear main seal. When mine gave way the oil was definitely dripping from the back of the engine though it was more on the right side of the back than the left. There were definitely drips from the left side of the rear, though.

 

On the other part of the oil filter is the oil sending unit. A major leak on most American cars thru the years. So would be the first place to look. If you still have the cover a little more of a pain.

 

If it is motor oil I would think it is more than likely the oil filter. If it has a hole it can shoot oil out several feet and if the leak is in the direction of the rear of the engine it will shoot oil in that direction.

You said your car is RHD. I don't know how the power steering line are but it could be one of them also.