Leak under engine?

Fish2SS · 05-01-2018, 07:43 AM

Hey all,

I have some sort of leak under my engine. It's very dark in color so my first guess was engine oil. But the dipstick appears fine and my engine oil light isn't on either. What other fluids would be dark in color?

I left my house at 8am yesterday morning, and my roommate texted me at 5pm to let me know that there's a large black puddle where I park in the garage, and that it's still wet (And it was around 70° yesterday). I got home around 8pm and saw it was still wet. Parked in same spot and when I left today I saw it was still there - the puddle didn't appear to grow any larger but it still hadn't dried.

When I got to work this morning, before I parked in my usual spot I got out and checked and yep there was a puddle there too. This one was a lot smaller than the one in the garage, and a lot drier too (outdoors). Couldn't tell the color as it's in the parking lot.

For reference I have a 2017 2SS A8. Has about 10k miles on it (last oil change was around 5k). I've been having a separate issue related to transmission, or maybe the issues are related, where when my car shifts to 2nd gear it sometimes gets stuck for a split second - just started happening a month or so ago. When I took it to the dealer they said this is normal in the A8 and wouldn't do anything about it. I've searched the forums and seen others with this issue. I wonder if it's related to the leak...

Any thoughts? Should I take to dealer asap?

awrj2000 · 05-01-2018, 07:57 AM

For the way your describing this and your miles...I would take this to the dealer and let them put it on the lift to investigate your oil leak. Maybe just a loosened filter, or slightly striped plug. Let warranty handle the leaks.

The transmission will have a hard shift from 1 to 2 on first startup. This is normal and in a tech bulletin somewhere.

After first shift and going back to a stop everything should be smooth until car is shut off and restarted (cold) again.

Fish2SS · 05-01-2018, 11:14 AM

Nothing appears to be leaking at the moment while I am at work. Going to cleanup the spill in the garage tonight then put cardboard under car and see if there's still some sort of leak tomorrow morning. If so I'll go to the dealer tomorrow.

soloknight6 · 05-01-2018, 03:34 PM

Check your hydraulic tensioner. Mine started to leak @ 15k miles

SnakeEyeSS · 05-01-2018, 09:47 PM

You can always throw some UV dye in one fluid, every few days, at a time until you find a leak. But since it's under warranty....

Fish2SS · 05-03-2018, 08:33 AM

Update: took to dealership yesterday. They said it was a defective oil filter and they replaced it.

I haven't been able to check if it stopped the leak (they said it did). I will be able to check overnight tonight.

Also, windshield being replaced on Saturday for the rock it took on the highway. My poor car, man...

Rock-It Man · 05-03-2018, 02:59 PM

I have been changing oil filters for about 50 years. Only once did I have a defective one. It also happened to be the first and last time I used an STP filter. It was "free" with the oil I bought at Auto Zone, and it was leaking around the bead at the base of the sheet metal cover.

Generally, I use AC Delco filters, occasionally Bosch or Mobil1.

Maybe what you had was a defective installation. DIY works better.

PS. I had two windshield replacements in the first 3 years. Then I retired and stopped highway driving in heavy traffic. So far, so good. Both my rock hits that resulted in cracks were in the upper right hand corner. Now I have some good sized chips in the same spot. That seems to be where rocks want to go on Camaros.

Dave_StHelens · 05-03-2018, 03:04 PM

On rare occasion (many years ago) I have had the rubber seal stick to the car when removing the old filter and not realizing this... installed the new filter over the top of the old rubber seal. Ended up with a leak in that situation, not sure if that could be the case here... just thought I would share in case it helps someone.

Gutling · 05-03-2018, 03:40 PM

I am 100% sure it was defective mechanic not filter. Either they double gasketed (didnt remove the old gasket) or didn't tighten it or something but in many years of mechanic work I have never seen a oil filter leak on its own. But glad they took care of it for you!

05-01-2018, 07:43 AM	#1
Fish2SS Drives: 2017 2SS Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Midatlantic Posts: 22	Leak under engine? Hey all, I have some sort of leak under my engine. It's very dark in color so my first guess was engine oil. But the dipstick appears fine and my engine oil light isn't on either. What other fluids would be dark in color? I left my house at 8am yesterday morning, and my roommate texted me at 5pm to let me know that there's a large black puddle where I park in the garage, and that it's still wet (And it was around 70° yesterday). I got home around 8pm and saw it was still wet. Parked in same spot and when I left today I saw it was still there - the puddle didn't appear to grow any larger but it still hadn't dried. When I got to work this morning, before I parked in my usual spot I got out and checked and yep there was a puddle there too. This one was a lot smaller than the one in the garage, and a lot drier too (outdoors). Couldn't tell the color as it's in the parking lot. For reference I have a 2017 2SS A8. Has about 10k miles on it (last oil change was around 5k). I've been having a separate issue related to transmission, or maybe the issues are related, where when my car shifts to 2nd gear it sometimes gets stuck for a split second - just started happening a month or so ago. When I took it to the dealer they said this is normal in the A8 and wouldn't do anything about it. I've searched the forums and seen others with this issue. I wonder if it's related to the leak... Any thoughts? Should I take to dealer asap? __________________

05-01-2018, 11:14 AM	#3
Fish2SS Drives: 2017 2SS Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Midatlantic Posts: 22	Nothing appears to be leaking at the moment while I am at work. Going to cleanup the spill in the garage tonight then put cardboard under car and see if there's still some sort of leak tomorrow morning. If so I'll go to the dealer tomorrow. __________________

05-01-2018, 03:34 PM	#4
soloknight6 SoCal HT5! SD Drives: 2016 red hot 2ss M6 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: San Diego CA, Posts: 1,929	Check your hydraulic tensioner. Mine started to leak @ 15k miles __________________ http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...37#post5437037 By my deeds, I honor him. V8!!!

05-01-2018, 09:47 PM	#5
SnakeEyeSS Drives: Camaro 2SS & ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 877	You can always throw some UV dye in one fluid, every few days, at a time until you find a leak. But since it's under warranty.... __________________ 2017 Camaro 2SS A8 Bright Yellow NPP MRC 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Radiant Red

05-03-2018, 08:33 AM	#6
Fish2SS Drives: 2017 2SS Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Midatlantic Posts: 22	Update: took to dealership yesterday. They said it was a defective oil filter and they replaced it. I haven't been able to check if it stopped the leak (they said it did). I will be able to check overnight tonight. Also, windshield being replaced on Saturday for the rock it took on the highway. My poor car, man... __________________

05-01-2018, 07:57 AM	#2
awrj2000 Drives: 2016 2SS Camaro Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: SC Posts: 53	For the way your describing this and your miles...I would take this to the dealer and let them put it on the lift to investigate your oil leak. Maybe just a loosened filter, or slightly striped plug. Let warranty handle the leaks. The transmission will have a hard shift from 1 to 2 on first startup. This is normal and in a tech bulletin somewhere. After first shift and going back to a stop everything should be smooth until car is shut off and restarted (cold) again.

05-03-2018, 02:59 PM	#7
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,043 View My Garage	I have been changing oil filters for about 50 years. Only once did I have a defective one. It also happened to be the first and last time I used an STP filter. It was "free" with the oil I bought at Auto Zone, and it was leaking around the bead at the base of the sheet metal cover. Generally, I use AC Delco filters, occasionally Bosch or Mobil1. Maybe what you had was a defective installation. DIY works better. PS. I had two windshield replacements in the first 3 years. Then I retired and stopped highway driving in heavy traffic. So far, so good. Both my rock hits that resulted in cracks were in the upper right hand corner. Now I have some good sized chips in the same spot. That seems to be where rocks want to go on Camaros.

05-03-2018, 03:04 PM	#8
Dave_StHelens Drives: 2017 Summit White R/S, V6, NPP Exh Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Saint Helens Posts: 28 View My Garage	On rare occasion (many years ago) I have had the rubber seal stick to the car when removing the old filter and not realizing this... installed the new filter over the top of the old rubber seal. Ended up with a leak in that situation, not sure if that could be the case here... just thought I would share in case it helps someone. __________________

05-03-2018, 03:40 PM	#9
Gutling Drives: 2017 Chevrolet Camaro 2.0 LT Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Dillsboro, NC Posts: 202	I am 100% sure it was defective mechanic not filter. Either they double gasketed (didnt remove the old gasket) or didn't tighten it or something but in many years of mechanic work I have never seen a oil filter leak on its own. But glad they took care of it for you!

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