Suspect Oil Leak, Urgent Adice Needed Please!

Hi there, still very much in love with my hippo. However im about to gain some premature grey hairs (possibly).

Its a 2003 TD4 and only has 26000 miles on it. Recently (today) i noticed a small puddle of oil underneath it dripping from the baseplate.

Took it to my friendly local Land Rover specialist, and they tracked down the leak to the oil dipstick. They suggested that it could have not been fully pushed in meaning oil got out during driving. They looked thoroughly and found no other signs of a leak or cause for alarm.

However he mentioned that it COULD be the crank case pressure meaning the rings had gone. Which frightens me on a BMW engine that has won awards. He also said this was unlikely since i didnt have any other symptoms (ie oil leaking out of pretty much everywhere).

Got home, left it on the drive, came out 3 hours later and there was another small puddle (both puddles were tiny, like 2cm diameter), however on my very vague inspection of the dipstick in the dark it didnt seem to be from there (i could be mistaken).

Im moving to Prague in 2 weeks and the car is coming with me...it simply has to be ready to go.

Any ideas on what could cause a very small oil puddle??? Correct me if im wrong but im thinking at that this stage the crank case should be fine.


Please please help ill be taking it back to the garage tomorrow morning and would like to be armed with a little more info!!! Im guessing LR wont fix it under warrenty in time (whatever it is...surely its something simple and stupid)

Right, just got back from my other very friendly Land Rover dealer (im serious, they are actually very good)

They lifted the car, removed the base plate, did a thorough check for leaks with engine running at various speeds.... and found...nothing.

However i was told my base plate was covered and that it looks like oil has been poured in badly and during speed gets out of the troughs where its stuck and dribbles onto the road. They also said the underside other than the base plate has hundreds of troughs where oil can sit after being badly poured.

Was told that the TD4 engine is usually very reliable and in fact top notch and that with the age of my car nothing should be wrong.

Feeling happier now but will still keep an eye on it. If anyone has any suggestions as to what could cause a minor oil leak let me know.

Hmm still seeing small droplet leaks of oil on baseplate, but there seems to be no place from the engine where it could be coming from. After being told by two separate dealers not to worry im a little befuddled. But i guess ill keep an eye on it.

Come on chaps, im sure some of you have some ideas about what to do with this. There is a hive of information in here somewhere...please share

p.s when engine is warm and running NO smoke or oil comes from the dipstick tube...so that rules out crank case pressure surely.

Some dealers can be a touch reckless when pouring the oil in and i agree it can sit for ages befoe it finds a way out.
Did they clean the undertray before re-fitting it ? if not do it yourself just to be sure, try leaving it off for a day to put your mind at rest before your journey as it makes it easier to see underneath with it off.

Dont do major miles with the tray off as it adds to the chassis strength when bolted up, but for testing your problem you will be fine.

Zippy

Hi DefUnct,

Is the oil you see underneath the car fresh oil (transparent light brownish)or used oil (black). If fresh oil a sloppy filling can be the cause but they don't fill it up via the dipstick hole, so ... If the oil is black it could be that during the last oilchange they spilled some on the undertray (normally that's supposed to be taken off for the oilchange but sometimes they "find" a way to avoid that). Good luck.

I have been offered another suggestion (now that i know its probably not a serious problem im more relaxed)

During my last service they used 5W oil...very viscous. However i normally use 10 or 15 (as in the handbook it can take all 3 i think)

Seeing as its viscous then it may be easier for it to escape from somewhere.

Anyway...feeling relieved now.