well. a little while ago i had my clutch replaced and noticed this strange oil residue.
Im new here so any suggestions would be appreciated. I have photos so it can help give better visuals.

<img src="http://s264.photobucket.com/albums/ii187/mixxdwelldesign/carstuff/?action=view&current=l_571c8e100c8b4e33b1d2eb0b47f 0e5fb.jpg">

<img src="http://s264.photobucket.com/albums/ii187/mixxdwelldesign/carstuff/?action=view&current=l_3ef12dfd5b5e4a5e93bf37217c8 888f5.jpg">

 

most 50k+ mile engines look this way, a little oil gets flung off the flywheel from the rear mean seal, some seeps out of the o-rings at the oil filter pedestal and most of it is from semi sloppy oil changes. i honestly wouldn't worry much about it unless you are **** about leaks, the main point to worry about is if there is oil getting onto your heater hose below the oil filter because that can be a failure point that can lead to an overheat and engine failure if that hose ruptures.

 

It is pretty easy and cheap to replace the two o-rings in the pedestal (and the two copper washers on the banjo bolt). However, as suggested, the leak may just be from the oil filter o-ring.

 

yah, first i thought it was bad oil changes and the rear main seal got replaced. but unfortunately the o rings didnt get changed. and i asked a pal if it might be the o-rings and its most likely. Im not that ****, but it does seem to leak all the way back to the cat and sometimes causes smoke. sigh. i can even smell and see it sometimes!

as noticed with the tranny back in place, its a real tight spot to get the inner nut loose. any suggestions? i have tried a u-joint adapter but its not enough room.
do they sell ujoints with built in 10mm sockets?

 

well, most of that oil you desribed coming off is probably from the oil pan around the engine mounts, it is a common leak point on the third gens.

 

great. i was just hoping it was just one spot, the oil filter pedestal, but you bring up a good point about the oil pan. I'll degrease the oil residue and try to isolate where its leaking from. I'll refer to FD3S.net unless you know any other good sites to do maintenance tips.

Thanks for the suggestion Karack and moconnor!

I'll update this in case others may have similar symptoms.

 

Degrease and focus on the location daily until resolved


later