When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
new C6 owner, and I’m loving the car after a few days. After looking deep into the engine with a flashlight today, I noticed an oily residue - see pic below. Should i be concerned? Is there an oil leak I don’t know about ? I’ve never smelled burning oil before, so I can’t comment on the smell. The did recently have an oil change and clutch fluid flushed, so km hopefully that maybe there could have been a spill.
If if there’s a leak, will there be oil on the ground of my garag even though the car isn’t running? If I check tomorrow morning and there is a leak, will I see oil on the ground?
Hard to see from the photo, but the only way oil could really get there is from a valve cover. Not sure how car savvy you are, but you can inspect the side of the head in that area and if there's any brown residue on it, then you've got a leak. If not, I probably wouldn't worry about it.
Thanks for the info. I’m not mechanically inclined. I wa hoping to become inclined by working on the Vette. I will try and get a closer look to see if I can spot the residue. The residue that I see looks like black dirt, or soot. Not sure if that’s what happen when leaking oil gets really hot.
Im not sure where the head is, but can do my digging and see if I can get a good look. Thanks again.
I agree with rsb213 and it’s hard to tell from the picture, but probably not a big concern. Yes, if you have a significant leak, eventually it’ll make its way to your garage floor. I always check the floor for any drips/puddles before I even check under the hood. A bad leak will show up on the ground sooner or later. I’d just keep an eye on your oil level (and garage floor) and not worry too much at this point. Good luck!
Thank you, guys. This was kinda bumming me out as I just bought the car. Great advice. I’ll check every 1k miles and add if needed. No noticeable drips on garage floor yet, so I’ll just continue to monitor. Thanks again!!!
When I changed my balancer several months ago I had the same thing. As far as I could tell it was coming from the feed tube from the power steering reservoir to the pump. It's a really short section of tubing that takes a weird turn and is held by spring clamps. I replaced them with stainless pipe clamps when I reinstalled the reservoir and have not had anymore leaking.
What is this leaking?
Thanks for the info. I snapped a pic today and as you can see it’s leaking from the area below. Do you still think it could be power steering fluid coming from this area? Does anyone know what part of the car this is? Sorry. Def a newbie.
Last edited by Anthony Brogno; 01-01-2019 at 05:24 PM.
Mine pretty much covered everything almost to the back of the oil pan on the drivers side. After I did pipe clamps I have had no other signs of leaking. If you dig into it it can be a messy job. Unless its leaking really bad, like others have said I would just drive it. I used purple power degreaser while washing the car to clean up the residue.
First identify the oil as either engine or power steering. Take a sample of both oils from the dip sticks (engine oil and power steering) and compare the smell of the leaking oil. That's where I would start.
In my case I had both, power steering leaking along the steering rack and engine oil cooler lines leaking by the oil filter adapter (passenger side). I believe in 2010 GM revised the power steering line routing.
First identify the oil as either engine or power steering. Take a sample of both oils from the dip sticks (engine oil and power steering) and compare the smell of the leaking oil. That's where I would start..
I agree, also monitor you oil levels to see if any changes in your reservoirs to help narrow down the culprit.
What is this leaking?
Thanks for the info. I snapped a pic today and as you can see it’s leaking from the area below. Do you still think it could be power steering fluid coming from this area? Does anyone know what part of the car this is? Sorry. Def a newbie.
Most likely power steering fluid. Get a flashlight and look upwards from below behind the power steering pulley and see if there is either a drip where the shaft comes out or oil spatter on the backside of the pulley. Look where the 2 wires come out of the steering rack at the rubber grommet for a leak. Make sure the end cap of the pinion has not fallen off.
12-30-2018, 08:49 PM
New c6 owner with oil leak concerns
