Oil all over inside of Skid Plate

[Toyarzee]

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

The reason you spun out in the rain was simply driver error.

Thank you. Second thread and now getting somewhat hostile, yet a handful of people still offer the same advice and op is still taking the same level of corrective action.

[pantdino]

My 1995 M3 with 185K miles has a little leak that I deal with.


But there is no excuse for a modern car with 50K miles to have an oil leak of any kind.
You should not have to deal with this.


By dealing with it yourself you are letting Toybaru get by with inadequate design or manufacture.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by HachiRo

Obviously I would like to know if there are any similar issues, solutions, or experiences before trying to go through any issues or delays a dealership might bring up. Honestly, it'd be nice if you just left this thread alone. I'm open to actual help, not snarky suggestions. Thank you.

Originally Posted by HachiRo

Hey guys,
So I've posted onto another thread about this before and we couldn't determine exactly if it was just residue from a belt or actual oil, but there's a crap ton of oil gunk and build up on my driver side skid plate. When I look into the engine-bay and downwards, there's black crap everywhere lol. This morning was raining and as I was turning I spun out which freaked me out because I drive quite carefully. My first thought was something I read about how an oil leak can get onto the wheels making it more slippery. Opened the engine bay and saw a puddle on the skid plate above the rest of the black residue. Also, some came out the bottom of the car. I checked oil levels (oil change 3 weeks ago) and there was still a good amount. It's pretty much straight below the oil filter cap. Car is at 50k miles, bought used from a Nissan dealership a year ago.
Will post pics asap.

Originally Posted by HachiRo

Is it a serious issue/any recommendations on tackling the issue?

I am on my home computer and can see the pics better. I retract my earlier theory about belt particles as I can clearly see they are reflective now.


Now for my version of a "snarky" response.
That does look like finely spread oil with dirt stuck to it.
Is it urgent? No. Should it be fixed? Yes.


If you are unable to diagnose it and are not sure how to fix it then your best bet is to take it in and have the pros look at it. This is not something that makes a good beginner DIY project.


If you have enough oil pouring out that it is getting into your wheels you have much larger issues anyway.


I did not see the other remarks but from what is here now I stand behind Go Away's comment 100%. You are under warranty take it in and get it checked.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by pantdino

My 1995 M3 with 185K miles has a little leak that I deal with.


But there is no excuse for a modern car with 50K miles to have an oil leak of any kind.
You should not have to deal with this.


By dealing with it yourself you are letting Toybaru get by with inadequate design or manufacture.

A first run car with a newly designed/produced engine can have things come up. Shit happens.

[stugray]

I don't know why I bother...

oil dye

[Gringosteve]

Looks identical to mine. If it is the end plate it is a small job. If it is the cam cover the engine needs to come out

[NyC Zn6]

Originally Posted by Gringosteve

Looks identical to mine. If it is the end plate it is a small job. If it is the cam cover the engine needs to come out

Is the cam plate accessible from the top of the motor? was it an easy install? I don't have a leak but i would like to prevent this from happening.

[Summerwolf]

Cam plate is the easy fix and what is pictured in that bottom quoted picture.

[Gringosteve]

Sorry cam plate and timing cover

[stevemp5]

Cam plate is left side of the engine and are oil deposit is right side.. i do not think is that

[Gringosteve]

I'm guessing timing cover then..

[504]

You guys are way over thinking it, as stated above it isn't the cam plate because it is on the wrong side. It's spillage of oil from service when whoever serviced it filled the oil. Usually dealers do this because they don't seem to care and they tend to overfill it. Dust and belt residue sticks to it making it look old and dirty, check if the bit under the oil filler is oily or had signs of oil which the mechanic may have tried to clean up, the best thing to do as stated by others is to clean and monitor. I'm fairly confident it won't come back (until next service at least!)

[shellslinger]

Originally Posted by 504

You guys are way over thinking it, as stated above it isn't the cam plate because it is on the wrong side. It's spillage of oil from service when whoever serviced it filled the oil. Usually dealers do this because they don't seem to care and they tend to overfill it. Dust and belt residue sticks to it making it look old and dirty, check if the bit under the oil filler is oily or had signs of oil which the mechanic may have tried to clean up, the best thing to do as stated by others is to clean and monitor. I'm fairly confident it won't come back (until next service at least!)

As everyone had stated if you're under warranty take it in ASAP. I just took in my car for this issue and they are pulling the engine right now to re-seal the timing cover.

Mine looked exactly like what the OP had posted. Almost mirror image.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by 504

You guys are way over thinking it, as stated above it isn't the cam plate because it is on the wrong side. It's spillage of oil from service when whoever serviced it filled the oil. Usually dealers do this because they don't seem to care and they tend to overfill it. Dust and belt residue sticks to it making it look old and dirty, check if the bit under the oil filler is oily or had signs of oil which the mechanic may have tried to clean up, the best thing to do as stated by others is to clean and monitor. I'm fairly confident it won't come back (until next service at least!)

I just put my car on the lift to swap out headers.

My car (Feb 2013 manufacture date) has oil slowly seeping from the timing cover.

I'm the only one who has changed oil on my car. This is not just a case of "overfilling the oil".

-alex