Finding engine oil leaks

I operated a Engine shop for 10 years and had and will have tools in my hands until I die. Supervising mechanics taught me to always go for the simplest possibility first! Oil never travels uphill or forward on an engine! Rear main seals are the first to be suspected but the least likely to be the cause.START AT THE TOP FRONT and fix all small leaks. Most oil leaks come from valve cover gaskets in hard to see places.

 

A clean start is the only way to find oil leaks.

So, clean and drive until it shows up. Start at the top front and work your way back and down. Do not ignore ANY SMALL LEAK. What appears to be small adds up and appears as large at the bottom of the engine.

(Talcum powder thrown on suspected hard to see places sometimes will help spot the place it is coming from.)