Eh, Crap, Sump Bolt Was Leaking, Suggestions?

[123456]

Hey, so i did a oil change, and afterwards, double checked everything and whiped it all down so i could see if there was any leaks, after two days, i checked and all was clean, so i drove on, didnt think about it. A week after the change i checked and noticed that the sump bolt was leaking, quite a bit to.

The oil measures about 1 centimetre up on the dip stick only (about 1 centimeter below the low mark). I do believe this means i have about 3.5 litres of engine oil in the engine, right? Like the dip stick only measures about 1 litre of the sumps contents right?

So anyway its been running like that (3.5 litres?) for about 3 days (to and fro work) max. I sort of noticed that after the new oil went in (might have been because of a different viscosity) it rattles when engine revs drop fast, e.g. changing gears. This morning when i started her to warm up, noticed the oil leak, then switched her off, as she was switching off it let out a rattle. Its not a very loud rattle, but it scared the shiet out of me. Was thinking it was caused by to little oil. The stuff i put was HPR 15 SAE 15W-60 penrite.

What do you guys reckon, will it be ok once i put more oil in and a new washer/bolt on the bottom of the sump? Or is it shagged? Or is the oil not the right type?

Edited October 30, 2006 by 123456

[djr81]

I would suggest changing the oil & filter again. When you have the old oil take a GOOD look at both it & the contents of the filter. If there are any shiney bits in it you have damaged your motor. If not, go and buy a lottery ticket.

And, yeah, use a different (lower viscosity) oil.

[blind_elk]

Penrite is usually a pretty good quality oil. I would think that a 60 grade oil is OK seeing as it's coming up to summer.

My opinion is that the rattles are not related to the oil change. In fact, I am suspecting that the damage was already done. Hopefully it's only a bit of bearing wear, but it could also be piston slap.

Either way, it would be very worthwhile getting the car to a good mechanic who can do a better diagnosis by actually hearing it, than we can by reading about it.

[hanyou]

had the same thing as u (oil leaking from sump plug).. it was my sump plug. lost its tread bit.. so it was sitting loose. got a new one made up with a bigger end to suit the bigger hole

[gtrchick]

The dipstick measures about 1.5litres, so say u have a 2.0litre motor, add 1.5litres and about 200 mls for your oil filter and that approximately how much oil you put in. But it depends, cos always check oil after starting it.

Umm try a washer, because it may just be that, ive seen a few other dodgy fixes like some people have used thread tape.... :S

[123456]

Thanks for the help guys, i do have one other question though. Could it be that this oil is thinner than the last oil i put in, and that is why the rattling has appeared?

Would running it, like 1.5 litres down on oil really damage it much? I know i put about 4.7 in it, so lets say its runing 3.2 litres total.. not like its dry.

I'm hoping that the oil is just thinner, and therefore is making the already present rattles a lil louder. I'll check if this rattle is not in fact just part of the injector rattle i had previously (Just thought of that then)

Edited October 30, 2006 by 123456

[djr81]

The viscosity listed for the Penzoil is in fact quite viscous (ie thick).

You should be ok as long as you didn't suffer any oil surge.

But change it out anyway & look for bits of metal which will indicate bearing failure or similar.

[SECURITY]

you should be fine, if you werent, you would've spun a bearing.

just dont drive it till you get a new sump plug.

you've got around 4.5L of oil in your motor, the bottom of the dip stick indicates you'll have around 3-3.5L left. no dramas as long as you weren't hammering it on a track.

[123456]

Ok thanks guys, i was only going work to back, so shouldnt be any problems, judging from what you guys have said. I was gonna have to empty it out, to replace the bolt anyway, i'll check for crap. Was 100% crap free, last change, hope it still is

[SECURITY]

magnetic sump plug would be a good idea too.

[123456]

Hmm, yeh thats actually a fair call on the magnetic sump bolt

Oh well, i emptied the oil, it was all clean, no filings, put a new washer on the sump bolt, put it all back together. Now i cant seem to hear that death rattle, dont know why, strange. Car seems to be running alright

Thanks guys