Oil Leak Mystery

[Johnobub]

My 1999 Dodge Neon is leaking oil.

The leak was slower at first, only a few drops in the driveway. Now, it is leaking more after I went on a long expressway trip (about 300 miles total).

When I stopped for gas I noticed smoke coming from under the hood and the smell of burning oil. Lots of oil was leaking onto the ground, I could smell it burning off on the exhaust pipe. I checked the oil level, it was about 2 quarts low, I added more oil and I got the car back home ok. I checked it the next day, I cleaned off the oil under the motor to find where it's coming from.

After running the car again, I found most of the oil leak seems to be dripping down from the front of the engine, drivers side, but it also seems to be along the front and back of the oil pan gasket or above the oil pan. (I can't really be sure where it's coming from.)

I don't see any oil in the coolant and don't see any white smoke out of the exhaust pipe.

Does anybody know of possible source of this oil leak or had a similar problem?

[yale329]

It really sounds like a valve cover gasket. Try tightening the bolts abit, wash your engine, top and bottem and your sure to find it in short order. If you find the leak, consider replacing your pcv valve. If its plugged you can blow a main seal easily. Wayne Canada

[Johnobub]

Originally Posted by yale329

It really sounds like a valve cover gasket. Try tightening the bolts abit, wash your engine, top and bottem and your sure to find it in short order. If you find the leak, consider replacing your pcv valve. If its plugged you can blow a main seal easily. Wayne Canada

Actually, I have had this repaired, it turned out to be a bad main seal. The engine still has a problem however, and I've had this also looked at and I'm getting another opinion but now, I have a intake manifold leak near the number four cylinder. I'm getting error code 43 when the engine is warming up. If I disconnect the battery, after it's warmed up, I do not get any errors. So, one mechanic diagnosed the problem as a bad intake manifold gasket. (he put his stethescope tube up to the intake and also squirted some water near the source of a leaking air sound. I thought it was the sound of water hissing on the hot engine, but, the sound was not there when he sprayed water on other places of the engine. So, anyway, I'm going for another opinion, and another estimate. The main seal repair cost was about $400. I'm glad I had it fixed and the car still runs good. The other problem I'm having now, is that my AC doesn't work, I've also had this diagnosed by a pro (actually the same person who diagnosed the intake manifold gasket problem
( error 43 ) , and he told me I need a new condenser unit. He used his freon leak detector (after injecting some fresh new freon) and the freon he injected into the system was leaking from the drivers side near the bottom of the condenser. He told me the leak is probably due to normal wear and tear on the chassis (going over bumps etc.) on the 1999 Dodge Neon. I plan to get both the intake manifold gasket and also the AC condenser repaired. I'm first getting second opinions. Thanks for responding about the oil leak problem. I plan to keep my Dodge Neon going since I have no other complaints and no other problems. Oh, there is one more problem. I have a power steering fluid leak. I had that looked at breifly and I was told I need a new rack. If you have any input on any of these, please respond.

Thank you,

[yale329]

Well it is true that freon does leak from wear and tear. Another sure fire way to test for a intake leak is to start your engine and use a propane torch. "NOT LIT" by the leak. The propane gas should cause your engine to speed up if you have a leak. It is quite safe to do. I would get a second opinion on the rack for it seems that you have a few to many problems. Check your power steering hose closley before repairing it. usually a rack wil cause hard or erratic steering returns on corners and just plain noticeable steering instability. I think code 43 is a coil problem, but call any dodge dealer just to find out for sure. The best of luck to you. Wayne from Canada

[justkal23]

same thing happened to me.. i was 2 1/2 quarts low. ive got a leaking head gasket and real bad blowby.

[209 neon]

take it to the shop....