Weird oil leak on a 99 Corolla... - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

civicmon · 08-31-2007, 07:56 PM

Hi All, Newb here. I tried searching but I didn't find anything relevant.

I have a 99 Corolla and there's an oil leak right by the driver's side headlight. Oil seeps down the headlight.

It's definitely oil. It feels slimey like oil and is gold/orange.

Not red like AT fluid, not green like coolant... gold.

So that being said. I cleaned off the effective area with degreaser and wiped it down. I then turned on my car and tried to replicate the oil leak.. no dice.

Nothing on the ground, ever. Engine is clean as day except for this area. I can't tell if it's getting worse or has always been there.

Any idea whatsoever would cause oil to get onto my hood and seep down the top of my headlight? I'm at a loss. I checked the cooler line before I cleaned the area and it looked clean.

Any ideas at all? Cracked radiator perhaps? Thanks for any advice.

costadragon220 · 08-31-2007, 08:02 PM

Has it happened again>? Could've been when oil change and maybe dripped oil?...
check oil levels....

civicmon · 08-31-2007, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by costadragon220

Has it happened again>? Could've been when oil change and maybe dripped oil?..
check oil levels....

i changed my oil 5000 miles ago.. down 1/2 a quart total since change.

costadragon220 · 08-31-2007, 08:37 PM

hmmm .. sounds like no leak.. I would clean engine and dbl check lines and covers, etc. Probably just a freak rogue oil leak.... weird....

FinalGear · 08-31-2007, 09:22 PM

I wondering about the oil pump....

civicmon · 08-31-2007, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinalGear

I wondering about the oil pump....

interesting.. where exactly does the oil pump sit on the 99 Corolla?

FYI I don't think it's a bad leak, I just think it accumulated during the month or so it's been since I washed my car. I drove it for over an hour this evening, lost no oil and no major leak.

Still annoying though...

trancedcorolla · 08-31-2007, 10:17 PM

Check the hoses near that light or anything oil related. I had a friend who had an oil leak only when he floored it. I have NO IDEA how it happened, but for some reason when he floored it, a small amount would squirt out.

Try turning on your car with the hood open, let it warm up and then pull the throttle slowly up. Then pull it up fast, and make sure you get to high RPMs. That's how we found it on his.

Other than that, I really have no idea except for maybe some leaked when you did an oil change.

90 GP · 09-01-2007, 07:27 AM

The only lines I can think of in that area are the overflow for the coolant and possibly a refrigerant line for the A/C. Is the overflow hose for coolant container possibly oriented so it is above headlight? Do any of the A/C lines (if near headlight) show accumulations of oil at any fittings? Also was car ever rustproofed? If so engine heat could allow it to drain from a vent hole in hood along the front.