Oil leak?

Hi, I'm new to owning a vehicle and have to change my oil soon. The dipstick was nearly bone dry and there's been leaking coming from the bottom

I'm aware I have power steering problems, I'm just checking to see if anyone can point out if it's an oil leak which I'm assuming so lol

Any pointers on what to do if it is one? I'm on a budget and plan to see if lucas oil can help for now

Engine is the 5VZFE 3.4 v6

 

YO!
Welcome

I see the wetness of oil
Could be number if things
find the driest/highest portion of engine and work down

buy 2-3 cans of brake cleaner
Spray that area(top of engine too)

the go to coin op car wash
Make area as clean as possible

then after a day or so of driving, stick your head down they and look for fresh drops of oil
GL

btw
Unless really loose, rarely the oil filter

 

@ControlCar has great advice.
I have seen the oil filter leak after using a cheap lube place, it was completely loose when I noticed the dripping. It should be hand tight.

I’d also look up in the engine bay, oil will make its way down, the source could be much higher. Valve cover leaks are very common with the 3.4 so I’d take a look up there. Valve cover gaskets are a pretty cheap and ‘fun’ gasket replacement, great learning job for getting more comfortable with digging deeper into the engine for maintenance to someone new to repairs. Little pricey to pay someone for it.

Leaks aren’t catastrophic as long as you keep the oil level in spec, so you have some time to figure it out. Just check the dipstick and add oil as needed.

 

Nope you're good I don't see no oil leak that engine just sweats a little bit you're good for another 150k miles as is.

 

Um, excuse me, I'm sorry, that was your first post. Okay you gots an oil leak, hard to tell what's leaking from that pic, I think we'll need you to slide back under there and grab about 6 more pics, anywhere you see a wet engine surface... I would also recommend you check your oil fluid level every 1000 miles to prevent any engine damage from oil starvation.



Otherwise good advice already given by @ControlCar and @time623 .

 

Cover the alternator and go crazy with engine degreaser and a hose around the valve cover perimeter, which is the highest leak point, repeating until it's clean and dry at the valve cover gasket location and a few inches below, verified with a mirror, especially around the back. Then drive it and check. No point checking anything else until then if it's a slow leak, because it will just be confusing and wet.

 

there is an oil cooler on that side of the block
i have read those can leak at the o-ring gasket
also the oil pan could be weeping, what is the situation on the other side of the engine at similar level, wet or dry?

 

Thanks for all the advice guys, will post an update asking for further advice or the results when I get her back up and running again

 

Just make sure you keep the oil level correct in the motor, or you'll be resealing a whole new motor ,,,, leaks are bad and frustrating but fixable,,, the burnt up motor is costly and time consuming.

 

Update: took more pics of the engine, any new advice?

Gonna replace the oil pan gasket soon as a preventative measure, she's been sitting for a month and I've finally got the time and funds to get her running again. Got an OEM filter for the oil change and am looking at https://www.cruiseryard.com/new-5vz...xR7AGqrLMq4Hr0Oz-gpB6BVj1f9GGKcedIatcXbkLiX8E for a complete gasket set if needed

 

You don't have an oil leak. You have an oil geyser.

Show more pics days after the install. Good luck.

 

And to think this took over 3 months to leak all the oil out

 

New update 2k Miles after oil change!

Found out it was the filter thanks for the convo guys, happy I don't have to dive into the engine yet