Engine has old oil in many places--cannot see where leak is--how do you properly wash off an engine?

oil pan bolts are torqued in inch lbs due to their size and usually doesn't require a specific torque value. all bolts in a manual does show torque settings in all applications.However because of its non critical application a specific value is not necessary. a "snug" tightness is adequate with proper gasket/sealer in place to prevent seepage or leaks. in that area of the engine,leak can come from almost anywhere. top,front,or even rear of the engine blown by the wind a car creates while in motion. oil sensors{ but not limited to} are notorious for leaks as the vehicle ages particularly in that area. steam clean or thoroughly degrease the area and run the engine a few miles and recheck the area before proceeding to make repairs.

Wash the engine by removing the old oil leak dirt,allow the car to run after about 30 minutes and surely will spot the leak.

The oil is always leaking but when you are moving it is getting blown off and all over the place. What must be done is to have the entire rear of engine near leaking area pressure washed and then a special dye put in the engine oil, then after the car is driven for 20 miles or so it will be racked and the leak area looked at with a special light that makes the dye glow and thereby pinpointing the leaking seal.

Sounds like rear main seal between engine and transmission.

yes near oil filter and did you change oil latly and didnt remove the old gasket of the filter sometime its sticks to the engine and you dont see it if not sure where the leak is wash engine good and run it for a few minutes to see exactly where leak is

Inspect where the oil is leaking from the oil cooler line, it's common for the oil to leak from the remote oil cooler line adapter bolt on the engine block. You can remove the two bolts one at a time and place a oil drain plug washer with some RTV silicon to ensure that it will not leak.

The other common place for the oil line to leak is from where the rubber lines mate to the aluminum line from the remote oil filter line adapter. This is also a simple fix but you're going to need a drumlin tool cut off the old compression clamp that was press fit. Cut off the old compression fitting ring, use cation that you only cut off the ring and replace it with a new compression clamp. Make sure you use compression clamps and not a hose clamp.

This is the best way to fix the oil leak from the adapter line to the rubber hose line, to replace the whole line with the new adapter is expensive and i believe your have to disconnect the engine mount to raise the engine to clear enough room to install the new line along the frame.

Good luck and don't use any engine oil stop leak, it will damage your oil pressure relieve valve and that's one extra thing you don't need to replace.

I am assuming the oil filter is down low on the engine, since most of them are.

When you see an oil leak near the bottom of the engine, it is often difficult to determine where the oil is actually coming from. It could be leaking from the valve cover gaskets up higher on the engine and then running down to where you see it. A competent repair facility would likely clean off the engine, start the engine, and then try to see where the oil appears.

Furthermore, what you are seeing may not be oil. Power steering fluid can also leak and run down toward the bottom of the engine.

I wouldn't trust a basic oil change place to diagnose this and do the proper repair. The expertise of the personnel at these places is often minimal.

Copied from "EHow" by By Zibahrose Step 1 Purchase the gasket kit and quarts of oil from the local auto parts store. The customer service rep at the store can help you purchase the correct amount of oil and the right gasket kit for your vehicle.

Step 2 Safely jack up the vehicle and place jack stands to support the vehicle. Lower the jack to rest the car on the jack stands before working on the vehicle. .......OR drive the car onto a curb on one side only to give you some working room under the car.

Step 3 Make sure the leak is coming from the oil pan gasket. There are at other sources of oil ... The oil filter, the oil pan screws and the oil plug. You may want to snug each of these just a bit - then wipe the wet oil area - then run the engine a bit just to be sure!!

Step 4 Once you are certain that the oil pan gasket is the problem, drain the oil from the oil pan and store it in the container until it can be properly disposed of.

Step 5

Remove the oil pan from the bottom of the engine. Remove the old gasket. (Make sure it is disposed of properly.)

Step 6 Make sure the edge of the oil pan is clean. Check for any debris left by previous gaskets or gasket sealant. If there is any, use the wire brush to clean it off. You may use WD40 to clean the oil pan and the place where the gasket will go on the oil pan. Wipe it dry paper towels.

Step 7 Make sure replacement gasket is the same shape as the top of the oil pan. Some people use a sealant type of gasket when they cannot purchase a rubber or cork gasket. I recommend either cork or rubber because a sealant tends to be messy and does not always adhere or cure properly. Put some clear silicone on the engine. Place the gasket against the silicome and then carefully place the oil pan against the gasket. Loosely insert a few of the oil pan bolts and check to ensure that the gasket has not moved.

Step 8 Tighten the screws to the torque indicated in the Haynes manual.

Step 9 Lower the car by reversing the proceedure used to elevate it.

Step 10 Fill engine with oil according to the vehicle specifications. Do not over fill.

Step 11 Crank the vehicle and allow to idle. Check for leaks.

It is in the bottom of the oil pan. The oil pan is the bottom most part of the engine. it looks like a pan.

get a second opinion