Head gasket oil leak?

[Wooh]

Ever since I bought my car in February, I wake up every day to find a small puddle of oil under my car. I am not sure where its coming from, since I haven't taken it to a mechanic yet to check it out.

The whole rear of the block is covered in oil, and sometimes it smells like burned oil because it drops on the downpipe.

I have to add a quart a month to compensate.


Is it leaking out of the head gasket? It only drips oil when I park the car after it's been fully warmed up.

Anyone have similar experiences?

 

[xcelr8n]

could be anywhere, mine leaks from the oil filter area, still need to figure it out.

 

[DSMWillyb]

It could be any number of sources, possibly the HG or valve cover gasket. I would suggest degreasing your engine bay and then sourcing the leak... good luck

 

[project94tsi]

most likely it leaking from the valve cover gasket or the oil filler cap gasket, check those first i highly doubt that it is your head gasket that is leaking.

 

[painmaster]

I'd have to agree with project94tsi and dsmwillyb!

 

[UnWoRtHy]

I dunno...In my car, probably 3 or 4 months into owning it, I spotted an oil leak down the backside of my block, right where the head mates up to it. I had already replaced a leaky valve cover gasket, so I knew that couldn't be good. I took it to a carwash and powerwashed the hell out of the engine bay just to make sure it wasn't residue from something else, but sure enough, about a week later that same wet spot was back with fresh oil.

So I took it to my mechanic and he confirmed it. Almost a grand added onto my loan, and nearly a week without my baby, and it was fixed. Replaced the timing belt while he was at it, since I wasn't sure if the previous owner had or not. I don't know if you've read through here much, but since you're new to the DSM's, replace that timing belt every 60,000 miles! And have that leak checked out by a mechanic. It paid off for me...I caught my leak really early and it didn't cause any permanent damage. Another month or so, he said, and I would have had major problems. It can't hurt to get it checked out professionally.

 

[UnWoRtHy]

Actually...disregard most of what I just said, since I'm the only idiot with a 2g posting about a 1g issue, which I know practically nothing about. Sorry about that. But, at least one piece of advice can still stand...Can't hurt to get it checked. Luck.