Oil leak - wishbone - 2000 4cyl wagon

[Ogri]

Was travelling up to Gosford, yesterday (Christmas Day) and we noticed a smell of oil.

Got to my brother-in-laws place and waited a few hours and then I checked underneath the car to find only a few (not a massive pool!) drops of oil that seem to be eminating from the left front wishbone area. At first I thought it was either engine or transmission oil, but after talking to bro-in-law he said it was probably the seal on the power steering leaking. Apparently quite common as cars get older (2000 model 2.2L Wagon)and the seals perish and shrink therefore causing the leak. Checked engine, transmission, power steering and brake fluid and all are ok. Of course happening over Christmas/New Year, everone's shut. Car is still driveable,got back to Sydney safely last night but will have to keep an eye on fluids until I can get it into the mechanics. Am I on the right track here or barking up the wrong tree entirely. Thing's probably been leaking for a while anyway, we only do short trips in the car mostly.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Bob

[Ozzcaddy]

I'm sure your looking at the right thing (power steering fluid) as you would have been doing high speed driving, the oil would have been blown into that area. I had similar situation 5 months ago with my Camry V6, it was pointed out to me when the auto transmission was serviced. I went to Super cheap Auto and bought some Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak. After cleaning the oil away from the area, I used maybe 1/3rd of the bottle to just top up the oil, and the level has not moved or have I had oil sprayed over that section again.

The bottle has pretty good directions on it for various situations, and this is the website for Lucas:

http://www.lucasoil.com.au/content/view/13/116/ . It would be cheaper alternative to try first. Safe travels

[Ogri]

Thanks for that.

I think I might have found where the leak is coming from. It seems to be coming from that large braided hose that sits above the gearbox.

There's a small casting cavity on the top of the box. Seems to have been leaking for a while by the look of it.

Are they the automatic transaxle feed lines? Also noticed that one of the inner steering boots are cracked on the left hand side too.

I'm gonna take some photos on a digital camera and take them to the only local mechanic thats open right now - Kmart Tyre and Auto.

I'm not much on car mechanicals, if it were a motorcycle, well that's a different thing altogether!

Bob

[Rolla Boy]

If there is oil on the gearbox and leaking down onto the exhaust I'd definately be checking the rocker cover gasket first... Oil dripping down onto the exhaust and burning will cause the smell...

With regards to the left hand side front oil, suspect would be the steering rack leaking out from the split boot, onto the lower control arm, or possibly the driveshaft seal...

Check those 3 things and you'll find your faults :)

[Ogri]

Right you were Rolla Boy!

There was a leak from the rocker cover gasket, the split boot AND the auto trans cooler lines.

Got them all fixed, plus renewed the starter motor fanbelt which was starting to fray.

While it was in at the mechanic's also got a full service.

Still gotta get a new battery and two new front tyres, but the repairs and the service cost enough as it was. Will get the others as soon as I can.

Car runs much better now!

Just another quick question - does anyone know where you can get that velour type headlining in the roof of the cabin repaired?

In parts, it's starting to sag, probably where the kids have continually put their hands on it?

Anywhere in Sydney?

Bob

[Rolla Boy]

Give Jimmy a call on 0418 695 453 for the headlining...

Tell him Ben from Chatswood Toyota workshop passed on his number... Works around Chatswood / Artarmon during the day, think he also does mobile work...

Give him a buzz and see what he says :)