Whats the issue ?

[bombur]

Hi All Just spotted some oil spots on my garage floor and looked underneath car and seems a bit leaky see pics.

Any ideas what the issue is ....hoping its not bad......suspension?

 

[Nodzed]

Could be a host of things. power steering, oil filter housing gasket, etc etc. It looks like a build up of a little oil over a long time, I would get it power washed off and then try to find the source. Others will soon be on with words of wisdom though to point you in a more specific area

 

[MikeK]

II dont have a lot of experience but i am comparing to my z3 m44 engine.

It looks like its from the egnine. I dont think its coming from power steering.
It also looks like its coming from the front, but that could be just where the oil ended up not where it started.
Oil filter housing gasket was my first job on the car it tends to leak. If not i would say maybe front cover gasket or some seal behing a pulley?

Like Nodzed said it would be good to try and clean it all (careful with elkectronics) and post more pictures.

 

[bombur]

Thanks both, i have a power wash but no ramp etc so can I do this as its standing? Apologies for my naivety as have no experience with car mechanics and am starting to learn..from scratch

 

[t-tony]

For an oil/fluid leak such as this all you really need are these.

****GENUINE WÜRTH BRAKE CLEANER PUMP DISPENSER 1ltr BOTTLE ADJUSTABLE SPRAY**** | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ****GENUINE WÜRTH BRAKE CLEANER PUMP DISPENSER 1ltr BOTTLE ADJUSTABLE SPRAY**** at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

and

Polygard Brake & Clutch Cleaner - 5 Litre | eBay

Polygard brake and clutch cleaner is a fast drying cleaner specially formulated to suppress harmful dust from brake and clutch linings. Brake and Clutch Cleaner Eliminates Brake Squeal. Removes oil, grease, brake and clutch dust safely.

www.ebay.co.uk

It cleans leaks very well and easily and dries up leaving little mess. Then run the car for a while keeping a close eye on anything leaking.

Tony.

 

[bombur]

For an oil/fluid leak such as this all you really need are these.

****GENUINE WÜRTH BRAKE CLEANER PUMP DISPENSER 1ltr BOTTLE ADJUSTABLE SPRAY**** | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ****GENUINE WÜRTH BRAKE CLEANER PUMP DISPENSER 1ltr BOTTLE ADJUSTABLE SPRAY**** at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

and

Polygard Brake & Clutch Cleaner - 5 Litre | eBay

Polygard brake and clutch cleaner is a fast drying cleaner specially formulated to suppress harmful dust from brake and clutch linings. Brake and Clutch Cleaner Eliminates Brake Squeal. Removes oil, grease, brake and clutch dust safely.

www.ebay.co.uk

It cleans leaks very well and easily and dries up leaving little mess. Then run the car for a while keeping a close eye on anything leaking.

Tony.

Thanks Tony will pick them up and give it a go

 

[bombur]

Next question -best way to work under my Zed...whats best (cheapest but safe) way. What do I need? As I said am a total newbie but want to give everything a go myself in first instance

 

[colb]

Four solid axle stands, are a must if you want all four wheels off the ground and have room to get under the car. I have managed with a pair of drive on ramps in the past, just need to be careful the car front clears the drive up angle, you may have to have some wooden planks to drive on first before driving up the ramps so it raises the front enough to clear the drive up. I have a car lift in my garage which is available to our group of Zed Shed Cymru gang when someone needs a job doing with the car raised. Can always fix a date up if you want to have a good look under the car just send a Whats App message to the Group and we can arrange a date.

 

[bombur]

Four solid axle stands, are a must if you want all four wheels off the ground and have room to get under the car. I have managed with a pair of drive on ramps in the past, just need to be careful the car front clears the drive up angle, you may have to have some wooden planks to drive on first before driving up the ramps so it raises the front enough to clear the drive up. I have a car lift in my garage which is available to our group of Zed Shed Cymru gang when someone needs a job doing with the car raised. Can always fix a date up if you want to have a good look under the car just send a Whats App message to the Group and we can arrange a date.

Hi, thats a very kind offer. I may be a bit like...whats that, whats that, whats that lol

 

[motco]

These are no longer available, but others of a similar design are and they make working underneath so much easier that I cannot recommend them too much.

 

[MikeK]

I just use normal ramps but now I need to buy the lift ones

 

[motco]

I just use normal ramps but now I need to buy the lift ones

Oops! Sorry about that!

 

[Ian&Sue]

These are no longer available, but others of a similar design are and they make working underneath so much easier that I cannot recommend them too much.

C.J. Autos do a version of these. I think they cost somewhere between £300 -£400. Don't Know how good they are as I haven't seen them in the flesh/metal. There is at least one other firm that do these but frustratingly can't remember what they are called.

Ian.

 

[motco]

Yes, Ian, eBay will throw up one or two. None that have seen is hydraulic like mine, but a leadscrew style is just as good - perhaps better. Pumping these up in the early part of the lift when the leverage is against you is hard work.

 

[Ian&Sue]

Yes, Ian, eBay will throw up one or two. None that have seen is hydraulic like mine, but a leadscrew style is just as good - perhaps better. Pumping these up in the early part of the lift when the leverage is against you is hard work.

The CJ Autos one's are hydraulic with a foot pump affair to pump them up but they do look harder to pump up than you would expect. The main thing that put me off was the price. I've Seen the screw ones on ebay but thought they might be a bit of a workout to get jacked up. No point in having them if you are to cream crackered to do the work once the car is jacked up!

Ian.