I had an oil change 640 miles (last Wednesday) at the dealer.

Today, after stopping at the gas station, the computer told me to check oil. This was strange as I'd just had a change and confirmed the level myself after having it done.

I checked the levels with the computer at the next stop and it indicated one bar - blinking.

As soon as I got home, I pulled out the dipstick, wiped it off and checked the level. DRY AS A BONE.

After jacking the car up I noted a large amount of oil on the garage floor. Due to the fact that it had so recently been changed, it was practically clear and had thought it was water when I first observed it.

I then surveyed the area. The entire right side of the oil pan was slick with oil, even some of the area in fron on the right side had some fresh oil. The oil filter housing was slick with fresh oil but seemed to be in tightly. The oil plug also seems to be in place properly.

From the photos, you can see oil as high as where the headers were mounted. It also coated the cat pipes on the right side and the whole lower edge of the rear fascia was also slick with oil.

This car had an inspection and new rear main seal and oil seal installed at 36,000 miles. Does anyone have any ideas? I've gone through all of the engine oil in about the time it took to drive a little more than 2 tanks of gas through it.

Please help.

 

that's a lot of oil...everywhere....how far up can you see the oil?

 

I'm afraid it's leaking from the bottom of the head and that this is the result of the failure of the head gasket. Any ideas on the going rate for a new head gasket?

 

Head gasket failures on these engines are very, very rare. have you checked the oil filter cover. If the o-ring was not installed or improperly installed that could be the source. I would check this first as the oil/filter was just changed.

Could be a leak at the oil cooler. Too much oil in too many places for it to be the RMS or IMS. Look at the spark plug tubes and cam advance mechanisms, maybe the scavenger pump(s) which have o-rings for seals.

But start with what was affected by the oil change.

 

I agree, it likely to be a result of a not tightened oil filter or overfill.

 

I sure hope not considering he took it to a dealer. That would be total negligence in my books. Care to share what dealer you took it to for us locals?

 

I agree with the above, that looks like the oil filter not being properly seated, so the pressure is just forcing the oil out. That's auto mechanics 101... always ensure the old seal is removed and the new one is seated, definately negligence on the part of the dealer or shop you took it to.

 

Autohaus of Peoria did the service. I put in 6 quarts and dropped it off with them. I started it on jackstands after filling and it quickly began leaking down the side of the filter housing. I have dropped the car off to have the issue resolved. Turn signals dtopped working on the way there.

 

Reading this just makes me sick. I hope your car is okay. Do the oil change yourself. I jack the 4 corners up one at a time and slide a cement paver under each tire, it lifts it up 3 inches nice and level, its the hardest part of the whole job and its easy.
The oil change can be done in 20 minutes after that. At least you know its done right because you did it.

 

Do I get a booby prize for being the first one to guess the problem? The dealer and the mechanic should be ashamed of themselves for letting this happen. It could have caused a total engine failure if you had run out of oil on the way home. And I doubt that they would be offering up a new engine if that had happened. They would probably be denying any responsibility. At the very least they should fix the problem and refund you all the money you paid them for the inconvenience.

 

Normally I do the oil changes myself. It was in for plugs and some exhaust work so I figured, what the hell, I'll just have 'em change the oil a little early. Can't hurt, right?

 

haha It can always hurt.

 

Hope everything works out for you, crack in the plastic housing could also be a cause.

 

Perfect time for the LN Engineering spin-on oil filter adapter bundle...

 

Turned out they o-ring was pinched. Problem solved. Finally, I also have my Fabspeed cat bypass pipes installed correctly.

However, now my central locking system blows a fuse if I use it, I have no signals, no interior lights, and the windows and moonroof stopped working.

Good grief.