RS5 Engine block leak

[namvar]

Hi Everyone:

I've been noticing a faint coolant odor in my engine block. While looking around I found evidence of a leak just below the oil cap. Any ideas as to what may be causing this?

Thanks

Namvar


IMG_3890 by namvar_kiaie, on Flickr

IMG_3891 by namvar_kiaie, on Flickr

IMG_3892 by namvar_kiaie, on Flickr

IMG_3893 by namvar_kiaie, on Flickr

[chrissurfr]

Maybe (hopefully) a spill from them pouring the oil in there?

[HazeMyth]

It looks like an awfully low amount to be an active leak. I'd guess it's from spilling while adding oil with how little is there.

It'd be real hard for me to smell a coolant odor coming from my car, because my neighbor's piece of shit always reeks of coolant.

[namvar]

It's definitely coming out of that joint. My last oil change was 3k miles ago and I wipe my engine down at least twice a month. So I'm fairly certain it was not because of spillage.


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[ak_siberian]

An oil leak does not smell like coolant... what was recently done to the car Namvar?

siberian

[JamesRS5]

Have you identified what that leak is, obviously if its oil it won't smell of coolant.

I know it's not good practice but I put my finger in it and have a little taste, if it's sweet tasting it's coolant, if it tastes like oil, guess what...

Has your coolant level dropped?

[ak_siberian]

I wonder where else he puts his finger in... :) Sorry couldn't resist

siberian

[namvar]

An oil leak does not smell like coolant... what was recently done to the car Namvar?

siberian

It has a green tint to it


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[ak_siberian]

Namvar, I doubt it's oil, though coolant color can vary (green or reddish) and it's no longer sweet (too many animals have been killed drinking up the old "sweet" stuff).

So back to my question, was there anything done to the car in your last service? Could be head gasket leak, valve cover warping, engine block crack, coolant hose nearby leaking... When you dry the stuff up, does it start leaking right away or do you need to warm up the engine and run it for a while? I doubt any codes would be thrown by this.

siberian

[namvar]

Namvar, I doubt it's oil, though coolant color can vary (green or reddish) and it's no longer sweet (too many animals have been killed drinking up the old "sweet" stuff).

So back to my question, was there anything done to the car in your last service? Could be head gasket leak, valve cover warping, engine block crack, coolant hose nearby leaking... When you dry the stuff up, does it start leaking right away or do you need to warm up the engine and run it for a while? I doubt any codes wold be thrown by this.

siberian

It definitely seeps through that joint and I think when the engine is hot. I dumped the codes and you are right... nothing

[ak_siberian]

Again, Namvar, what was done to the car as you just took it in recently... Since it looks like it manifests itself when engine is warm/hot, it's likely expansion on a seal rather than a crack which would show right away when the water pump starts.

siberian

[JamesRS5]

It may be worth checking the torque on the bolts on that side of the engine, do the re-torquing with the engine cold.

[ak_siberian]

Remember that if you use a digital torque wrench, that the reading you get may not be the value it was torqued at but once it seated itself etc. (especially since fluids have now deposited themselves on the bolts).

Also if you're checking on the valve cover bolts, read the manual and determine the torque ORDER of the bolts. Covers can deform really easily if you don't use the order they are intended to be tightened in. Keep us posted

siberian

[JamesRS5]

Personally I would back them off and re torque in the correct order, the order they were torqued may be the reason it's leaking?

[namvar]

Again, Namvar, what was done to the car as you just took it in recently... Since it looks like it manifests itself when engine is warm/hot, it's likely expansion on a seal rather than a crack which would show right away when the water pump starts.

siberian

Just an Oil change at 20K Miles.

[ak_siberian]

Personally I would back them off and re torque in the correct order, the order they were torqued may be the reason it's leaking?

Exactly James.

siberian

[ak_siberian]

Just an Oil change at 20K Miles.

It's under warranty, take it back; don't mess with it. If it wasn't under warranty then James' suggestion and mine is the way to proceed

Keep us posted and have a great weekend Namvar

siberian

[namvar]

That's the plan Siberian... The master tech is looking at the pictures now.

[ak_siberian]

Keep us posted

siberian