Hello!

First time poster. I have no real mechanical background so feel free to talk to me like I'm a stupid child.

FL2 SD4 auto with 150k on it. Test drive fine and seemed OK in the pouring rain. Bought it, got it home, realised the next day it was lubricating my driveway.

Armed with nothing but a Haynes manual and a fear of garage invoices I got the undertray off and found a leak coming from the front of the sump. Filter base seems clean so I don't think it's that but it's hard to say - not much space in the front. The hose that runs over the top of the engine seems clean(ish) too, so that's out. Could be front crank seal (I really hope not). Engine oil level seems fine (maybe even a bit over), so maybe previous owner banged a load of oil into it to cover it up when I dipped it. Aside from getting the rad off to really look at it I'm out of ideas.

Doesn't throw any codes on the reader either. And if anyone knows that this bolt I found rolling around the tray is from I would be very interested to know.

Is that an M6 / 10mm nut? If so, check if the headlights have two bolts holding them i placen, and along the top of the grille/slam panel. Current driveway contents:
2021 V60 Cross Country B5
2009 FL2 dog bus and shooting wagon

On Order: 2023 Fisker Ocean Ultra - deposit paid.

Rat_penat wrote:

Hello!

First time poster. I have no real mechanical background so feel free to talk to me like I'm a stupid child.

FL2 SD4 auto with 150k on it. Test drive fine and seemed OK in the pouring rain. Bought it, got it home, realised the next day it was lubricating my driveway.

Armed with nothing but a Haynes manual and a fear of garage invoices I got the undertray off and found a leak coming from the front of the sump. Filter base seems clean so I don't think it's that but it's hard to say - not much space in the front. The hose that runs over the top of the engine seems clean(ish) too, so that's out. Could be front crank seal (I really hope not). Engine oil level seems fine (maybe even a bit over), so maybe previous owner banged a load of oil into it to cover it up when I dipped it. Aside from getting the rad off to really look at it I'm out of ideas.

Doesn't throw any codes on the reader either. And if anyone knows that this bolt I found rolling around the tray is from I would be very interested to know.

It’s not unknown for aluminium sump castings to become porous after years of road salt corrosion . I had this on my 09 from it being 9 years old to me selling it at 12 . It wasn’t pouring out , as the porosity exposed must have been microns , not a great hole . I’m not saying this is probable , but it is possible , 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

It’s not unknown for aluminium sump castings to become porous after years of road salt corrosion . I had this on my 09 from it being 9 years old to me selling it at 12 . It wasn’t pouring out , as the porosity exposed must have been microns , not a great hole . I’m not saying this is probable , but it is possible , 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

NoDo$h wrote:

Is that an M6 / 10mm nut? If so, check if the headlights have two bolts holding them i placen, and along the top of the grille/slam panel.

Rommel,

First thing I did after remving the (horrendously oily) undertray was get the oil off everything to see a bit better. Managed to a big ol' drip of oil come from somewhere above the lower sump. But yeah, always a good start.

To me, that bolt looks like it has come from the cam belt cover.

The washer looks thicker than the one on the headlight bolt and it's just black from rolling round on the oily undertray.

If you put a magnets on the engine and gearbox drain plugs or come to think of it on the undertray itself any 10mm sockets, screws, bolts etc will cling to them

Have you taken the plastic cover off the top of the engine ? Maybe it's just where it has been spilt when topping the oil up and it's dripped down . Easily done if trying to pour it directly from a 5ltr bottle !
Just a thought.

Could be from the rad clamp near the bonnet sensor on one side or the crash sensor on the other

The bolt and washer are also quite similar to the ones that hold the fan assembly in place. The fan assembly is quite easily removed (once you have the knack!) and gives much better access to the front of the engine bay (for oil filter removal etc) so it is possible that someone has had that off in the recent past and lost the bolt. 2005 D3 2.7 Auto
Previously:
2010 MY FL2 TD4e GS - Now gone at 199,500 miles, about 135,000 of them mine.
‘93 Defender 110 200TDi CSW
‘87 Defender 90 4 cyl Petrol
‘83 110 CSW V8 - best ever!
Range Rover 2-door V8 (not sure of year - 4-speed box and vacuum diff switch)
Series III SWB Diesel

It looks like an EGR cooler mounting bolt to me. 2009 Rimini Red SE TD4. Soon to be sold.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Ultimate on order.
Gone. 2006 Tonga Green i6 HSE.

Rat_penat wrote:

Hello!

First time poster. I have no real mechanical background so feel free to talk to me like I'm a stupid child.

FL2 SD4 auto with 150k on it. Test drive fine and seemed OK in the pouring rain. Bought it, got it home, realised the next day it was lubricating my driveway.

Armed with nothing but a Haynes manual and a fear of garage invoices I got the undertray off and found a leak coming from the front of the sump. Filter base seems clean so I don't think it's that but it's hard to say - not much space in the front. The hose that runs over the top of the engine seems clean(ish) too, so that's out. Could be front crank seal (I really hope not). Engine oil level seems fine (maybe even a bit over), so maybe previous owner banged a load of oil into it to cover it up when I dipped it. Aside from getting the rad off to really look at it I'm out of ideas.

Doesn't throw any codes on the reader either. And if anyone knows that this bolt I found rolling around the tray is from I would be very interested to know.

Oh man, yes I did. I'll do another post and link it but it was the oil filter housing to engine.

New post here