Bill Heygster
Well-known member
I've noticed a few drops of oil under the front of my motor over the last year or so. Didn't think much about it as I have 147,000 miles on the original motor. Last week there was a small puddle - 6 inches in diameter. First time this ever happened. I drive the car to work a couple times a week, park in the same spot and there is no oil there. I cleaned the floor and put a pan under the spot where the oil was. Nothing for a week. Then this morning there was another puddle. I've driven the car 200 milkes since last week. I popped the hood a noticed the leak was coming from around the front crank seal. It was a steady drip - one drip every minute or so. I backed up the car cleaned up the leaked oil and again placed a pan under the area of the leak and nothing. No leakage in four hours.
Obviously the seal is leaking but is normal for it to not leak all the time? I checked at the local Auto Zone and there are a number of products which specifically state they will stop front and rear oil seal leaks. Barrs Leak is one, Bardahl and Slick 50 have them as well. I'm still using 5w20 oil (not synthetic)
Because of the high mileage should I be using a thicker oil and if so which grade and has anyone used any additives to stop leaky seals?
Obviously the seal is leaking but is normal for it to not leak all the time? I checked at the local Auto Zone and there are a number of products which specifically state they will stop front and rear oil seal leaks. Barrs Leak is one, Bardahl and Slick 50 have them as well. I'm still using 5w20 oil (not synthetic)
Because of the high mileage should I be using a thicker oil and if so which grade and has anyone used any additives to stop leaky seals?