[Dazzler]

Ok, how do you "Technical advisors" explain this...

We get these dark oily spots in our garage under the motor in Trish's 2014 i30 Tourer 1.6 GDi Petrol Manual.

It smells like oil and looks like oil! I clean it up every few weeks but it appears again. I put cardboard under the car once before for about a week and no oil got on that?

The car runs fine and although we forgot to mention it at the last service they didn't notice anything when they changed the oil.

The car runs fine, never needs oil between services and the gear changes are as smooth as silk. When I check the oil it is quite light and fresh (not really black like this!) 

Strange! Trish reckons it's coming up from under our slab! 

[Phil №❶]

The kids bring an oil can when they visit 

[Surferdude]

Nice slippers.
Under the slab, huh?

[mickd]

Easy fixed - put down more cardboard    
Could it be similar to how grease goes when gets hot and runs ??, but where would that be from?   CV's  ??

Do Trishes kids ever park in their when your not around Dazz either that or her secret lovers car

[Doggie 1]

 

[Dazzler]

Nice slippers.
Under the slab, huh?

I included them for scale...

Trish was thinking more Beverley hillbillies. ..

[Dazzler]

Do Trishes kids ever park in their when your not around Dazz either that or her secret lovers car

I initially thought that but if anything, Dee may have parked on my side of the garage a couple of times, but Trish's car is always in the garage if Dee is here. Maybe it's my girlfriend's car! Hope Trish doesn't cotton on!

 

[tw2005]

Questions:

does the colour of the oil match the colour from the sump?

Is the car parked in the same location all the time? They seem scattered?

Evidence from under neath of leaks?

If you had to pick a rough proximity these drips align to with the car, where would  that be? Left, centre, right? forward , rearward?

They apper thick and sooty, could it be oil seeping out of the intercooler hose(loose hoses) ? I've noticed oil seems to accumalate on there and is quite sooty and thick?

[AlanHo]

There may be some porous spots in the floor slab with oil underneath. With you being upside down the oil is finding its way to the surface.

[tw2005]

Questions:

does the colour of the oil match the colour from the sump?

Is the car parked in the same location all the time? They seem scattered?

Evidence from under neath of leaks?

If you had to pick a rough proximity these drips align to with the car, where would  that be? Left, centre, right? forward , rearward?

They apper thick and sooty, could it be oil seeping out of the intercooler hose(loose hoses) ? I've noticed oil seems to accumalate on there and is quite sooty and thick?

OK, why don't you have a diesel? Thought you always had CRDi?

[Dazzler]

Questions:

does the colour of the oil match the colour from the sump?

Is the car parked in the same location all the time? They seem scattered?

Evidence from under neath of leaks?

If you had to pick a rough proximity these drips align to with the car, where would  that be? Left, centre, right? forward , rearward?

They apper thick and sooty, could it be oil seeping out of the intercooler hose(loose hoses) ? I've noticed oil seems to accumalate on there and is quite sooty and thick?

OK, why don't you have a diesel? Thought you always had CRDi?

The first i30 we had was a Diesel FD hatch (and I loved it) It was my car and I do 25 to 30K a year. I went to a couple of Hybrids and a Calais (we wanted something bigger as our main car)

The wife only does 6 to 8K a year so couldn't justify the extra for a diesel.

It is sooty and thick (very much unlike the oil on the dipstick which is almost as light as maple syrup)

Our Garage is quite large more than 7 metres x 7 metres so the car might be a foot either way or a foot further forward or backwards at any time...

I've been down and taken some photos of under the car in relation to the oil spots. Fairly central not far behind the radiator?

I'll edit and add the photos shortly. 

I wonder if the spots are from condensation dripping out the exhaust though that would generally leave some spray effect as well I'd think and probably be more watery to the touch.

Could it be steering rack or a weeping grease nipple

[Surferdude]

Nice slippers.
Under the slab, huh?

I included them for scale...

Trish was thinking more Beverley hillbillies. ..

Yep.
I pulled the wrong link.   

[Dazzler]

I should have taken a photo earlier there does appear to be a bit of soiling in this photo.

Wide angle for position and a closeup. What is that where the bolt is? Seems to be a bit of oil there maybe?

[Shambles]

Don't suppose it could just be some crap dropping off from the roads you've travelled on?

[Dazzler]

Don't suppose it could just be some crap dropping off from the roads you've travelled on?

No, it's always within a square foot or so and only under Trish's car.....

Dazz, have you pulled the engine cover off to see if there is evidence of the service guy's spilling a bit of oil that has eventually made it's way down.

If it's not dripping regularly then I suspect it's a bit of spillage that only has remnant dripping, might have to use a can of engine cleaner spray - lightly hose it off and see if any dripping returns.

[Dazzler]

Dazz, have you pulled the engine cover off to see if there is evidence of the service guy's spilling a bit of oil that has eventually made it's way down.

If it's not dripping regularly then I suspect it's a bit of spillage that only has remnant dripping, might have to use a can of engine cleaner spray - lightly hose it off and see if any dripping returns.

I will try that tomorrow if I can get to it before Trish goes off to see her Mum (she goes into a home tomorrow - her mum, not Trish...)

[tw2005]

I'm thinking warranty, weeping rear main seal mixing with clutch disc dust which may explain the thicker and darker consistency.
I doubt it's spillage given the location of the filler.

Only other thing I could think of is a breather on the gearbox but I have no idea of the design of these so that's a guess.

Is there anything above that that could leak and weep down? My old magna looked like a seal leak but I traced it back to an  o-ring on a dizzy and it ran all along the top of the box then underneath to a similar spot.

[Dazzler]

Thanks mate. Trying to get Trish's car for a day that suits the dealer could be fun!

[mickd]

Hi Dazz,
Just above the bolt you mentioned,  is that a bit more of the black crap or is that a
 jagged hole.?

mickd

[Dazzler]

Hi Dazz,
Just above the bolt you mentioned,  is that a bit more of the black crap or is that a
 jagged hole.?

mickd

Well spotted Mick! Not sure, wife out with her car at the moment. I'll try and remember to get a closer look over the weekend.

[Dazzler]

@mickd

Wife's elderly Mum is very sick so she's been out a lot more in the car visiting and stuff. I did clean up the spots a day or two ago and another small spot (size of a 10c) back already. So I will have to get it looked at.

Hope it's nothing major. I'll keep you posted, but might be a week or two (a fair bit happening down here)

[mickd]

Well aware of situation re:sick parents . Best wishes.
mickd

[Dazzler]

Ok... Finally took Trish's car in to be checked for the oil leak. I took it in because Trish was going to tell them not to let anyone "shit" like an apprentice touch it!  (women can be so tactful)

Anyway, they reckon it needs a new gasket for the bell housing (I guess that is where the transmission meets the engine?) They reckon it will take a week or so to get the part and then they want it for two days as they have to take out the transmission. Despite the fact they gave the filthy car a really good wash (but no vacuum) Trish was really pissed off that it wasn't picked up at the last service, that they didn't have the part in stock and that they will need it for two days (and she told the guy so).  (I should have stayed outside while she collected the key) 

@cruiserfied If they take the gearbox out to replace the seal/gasket is it likely to affect the quality of the changes after? I won't want to be around if it does! 

[mickd]

On the way to being sorted  👍
Did the tactful one demand a loaner ?

[Dazzler]

On the way to being sorted  👍
Did the tactful one demand a loaner ?

She didn't need her car on Monday so I dropped it in and got them to run me home. If she needed to go anywhere she had me for a taxi.

I reckon if they offer a loaner for the two day fix SWMBO would "crack the sh*ts" when they asked for a copy of her license and want her to sign a form regarding insurance excess... so I won't encourage it. Put it this was, if she was the President of the United States, world war three would already have started. 

[Phil №❶]

Wow, if she's so uptight after your holidays, what would she be like without holidays