Oil problem

[matt3453]

Hello again,

I've been having some problems with some sort of engine leak. I brought it to my mechanic and he said it was the power steering pump, which he replaced along with an oil change for $300.
So, it's been approx one week and the leak I had originally brought the car in had not been resolved. I'm pretty certain now its an oil leak now because the fluid leaking is very clear like new oil (from recent oil change?). Its coming from the front passenger side wheel well and its leaking onto this thick horizontal bar (sorry I'm not good with cars) and the oil will soak this entire bar and form small droplets and then hit the ground.
Oil level looks good....I just need some advice on what is could possibly be. Should I investigate myself or just bring it back to my mechanic and tell him its still leaking?

I really appreciate your assistance everyone!

[fenixus]

take those leak drops onto a white napkin to confirm color. touch the droplets with a finger, smear it between fingers, smell it, make sure this is a motor oil before going any further.
that long horizontal bar getting wet (from some leaky part probably above it) is most likely the power steering rack.

keep watching level of ALL fluids and make sure ALL stay at same level every time you check (e.g. always on cold car or always when hot, because fluid levels change due to thermal expansion). note what colors are your all fluids (power steering, coolant, brake fluid, tranny fluid, brake fluid).

if you confirm the leak is 100% new oil (compare to dipstick) then most likely you have a leaky engine gasket, maybe the valve cover gasket if your engine is 4 cylinder 5s-fe, it can leak on the back. put your hand over there, is it all dirty ? try pin pointing the leak source. wipe the suspected areas clean and make note if they are getting wet with same substance.

good luck!

[73sport]

All though the pump may have been leaking at its fittings or the seal, a highly likely suspect is the rack and pinion itself. Its the device that connects the steering wheel to the cars tires and provides you the driver power assist to turn the wheels.

The pump gives the rack energy to help you the driver. Its hydraulic and uses fluid. It can develop internal leaks and the leaks have this option of holding a large volume of oil in the boots or bellows (as some call them) of the rack and pinion.

If the steering wheel ever goes stiff in the cold and doesn't want to turn for a moment, the rack and pinion is likely worn out.

FWIW: the rack has tie rods coming out of those black boots. They connect to the spindle near the brake rotor.

The large bar you refer to is likely the Anti-sway bar which helps stabilize the car when you enter corners. The back of your car has one to if you need to look to understand the difference between the rack and pinion and the anti-sway bar.

Feel free to ask away. Also, there should be only one clear fluid in your car in the Brake system which SHOULD NOT BE LEAKING!

Power Steering should be RED, aged may be brown.
Engine oil should be light brown to black with age.
Transmission Fluid (ATF) red and brown w/age.
Brake Fluid is clear.
AntiFreeze green and sometimes red.

[Noku]

Check your engine compartment under the p/s - coolant reservoirs for any evidence that your mechanic might have spilled oil when topping off with power steering fluid. Might be an easy explanation as that.

[redtigerrocks]

It might be your window washing pump too (if your leaking fluid is clear)

[matt3453]

Thanks everyone! That's why I come here!

Noku, I wiped clean the soaked "bar" where the oil leak is just in case the mechanic spilled oil and check to see if its all wet again in the morning.

fenixus, so I should check the levels when the engine is cool? If so, then I just got home from night classes but will check all levels in the morning and make note of them and then check it again at lunch and finally when I get ready to go home.

The reason I suspect its oil is because I checked this area where the oil is leaking before the oil change and the power steering pump fix and the oil was noticeable darker brown from normal wear. Now, after the oil change the fluid leaking has changed color to a more clear, brown color. I just looked at it quick leaving the campus parking lot, but will more thoroughly investigate and post the results tomorrow.

Thanks again all!

Also, I don't know if this will help, but its a 1998 4 cylinder

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by matt3453

Thanks everyone! That's why I come here!

Noku, I wiped clean the soaked "bar" where the oil leak is just in case the mechanic spilled oil and check to see if its all wet again in the morning.

fenixus, so I should check the levels when the engine is cool? If so, then I just got home from night classes but will check all levels in the morning and make note of them and then check it again at lunch and finally when I get ready to go home.

The reason I suspect its oil is because I checked this area where the oil is leaking before the oil change and the power steering pump fix and the oil was noticeable darker brown from normal wear. Now, after the oil change the fluid leaking has changed color to a more clear, brown color. I just looked at it quick leaving the campus parking lot, but will more thoroughly investigate and post the results tomorrow.

Thanks again all!

Also, I don't know if this will help, but its a 1998 4 cylinder

give it a week of observation. check your oil level on dipstick at warm shut down engine (e.g. 10 minutes after driving), pay attention if it drops (it should if oil leak is significant) over time.

if you are certain this is oil leaking (evidence points to it so far), take a mirror & flashlight and try looking at the back of engine top valve cover area (there is intake manifold starting above and going behind it, connecting to the engine head below down there). any oil leak from there would accumulate on the intake manifold connection to head and leak further down to sides.

look around with flashilight and note all wet spots then check what kind of fluid that is. pay attention to leaks around the timing belt cover, your oil pump might be leaking too (weak o-ring and seals).

if you can reach the area with hand, try wiping it clean with a rag and then re-check after a few hours/days to see if it got dirty again - it helps to pin point the source of a leak.

if you cannot find it, go back to same mechanic and tell him that he did not fix the problem and you still have a leak (probably motor oil) making the power steering rack look dirty.

[BamZipPow]

I would guess the valve cover gasket. I found the same thing with my wife's 2001 Camry LE 4 cylinder automatic. When the valve cover gasket was replaced...the tech didn't apply the proper sealant to the cam corners of the gasket causing the oil to leak and eventually pool on the intake manifold. This eventually leaked down to the steering rack and subsequently to the bottom of her car.

I ended up pulling the valve cover back off to double check the tech's work and spotted the old sealant still in place. After cleaning up the mess, the new gasket and the old sealant, I got some new gray sealant from O'Reilly's Auto Parts and sealed the gasket properly in the cam corners and on top of the cam plugs. Torqued the spark plug tube nuts in the proper order and to spec. No more mess or leaks from the valve cover!