leaking

[roque11]

I have problem of late with my car leaking small darker spots towards the front. It doesn't seem to be constant, just a few times a day maybe. Sometimes I've had it parked over night and there are no leaks, but then it will show up later in the day. What could it be? When I've ad people look at the trans dipstick they seem to say it's fine. Last year I had a lot of leaking due to power steering that got fixed at a firestone. Not sure if it can
break down after a year. I first noticed this problem the same day I got my last oil change.

[shorod]

Maybe when the oil filter was removed, some oil leaked in to the subframe or other area and depending on the angle you are parked on, it may or may not leak? Or possibly the drainplug was not properly installed as is leaking. It would take a long time for just a few drops a day to measure on a dipstick.

-Rod

[roque11]

You mean it can still be trans fluid and not show up on the dipstick? Does trans fluid leak more than what I am saying? I rubbed the fluid on my finger and had somebody smelled it. They seemed to think it smelled like motor oil.

[roque11]

I want to add that after seeing a leak three times yesterday that there wasn't any leaking for like 15 hours after having it parked. I go out for a drive and then I see a spot shortly after coming back home.

[shorod]

Well, I'm saying a couple of things. Since this started after you had the oil changed, there's a good chance the oil is residual from removing the oil filter, stuff that dripped in to the subframe, etc. The rate at which it leaks will depend on how soon it finds a hole in the subframe to leak though.

As for not noticing a level dropping on the transmission dipstick (or engine oil dipstick for that matter), at the leak rate you're describing, it would take weeks or months for it to be noticeable on the dipstick. When the oil hits the ground, it spreads out, so a little drop can leave a dime-sized spot quite easily.

I'm not suggesting you ignore the leak, but if the leak seems to mysteriously stop after a few days, the issue was probably just oil in the subframe due to a sloppy oil change.

-Rod