Valvoline quick lube- leaking oil for a month!

[Hapeacres]

I was in a hurry so I went to a Valvoline quick oil change place and now the underside of my 2004 V8 is all wet from oil and is constantly leaving a puddle. I dont get it because the dipstick looks ok. I thought they just made a little mess when changing but now almost a month later it still leaks. I am sure they did not remove the skid plate and this is what is causing it, but would it still drip a month later?

 

[ben550]

I was in a hurry so I went to a Valvoline quick oil change place and now the underside of my 2004 V8 is all wet from oil and is constantly leaving a puddle. I dont get it because the dipstick looks ok. I thought they just made a little mess when changing but now almost a month later it still leaks. I am sure they did not remove the skid plate and this is what is causing it, but would it still drip a month later?

Drop the skid plate and wipe it down with a shop towel. Look up under the engine with a flashlight to see if there is any oil leaking from the bottom. I wouldn't sweat it. Its probably just from pooling oil left on the top of the skid plates which leaked when they pulled the oil filter.

Hey at least you know they actually changed the oil filter... haha.

 

[Hapeacres]

I brought the runner back over to the Valvoline Quick lube and expressed my discontent with the oil leak. This time they dropped the skid plate and wiped everything down. They are saying the leak is coming from the power steering line and it is not oil. They said the line was rusty. I noticed the power steering fluid level is right at the top line so I asked them why the level was completely full, for which they had no answer. Their own record said it was fine and was not topped off. They looked at the fluid I had saved in a cup and they said it smelled like the power steering fluid and that it had a tinted color other than oil when looking at it in the light. They may be right but I think it is quite a coincidence I had nothing leaking before bringing it in to them. I think I am going to bring it to my mechanic who will charge a lot less than Toyota dealership. Is replacing the power steering lines an expensive job?

 

[MikeInNH]

They may be right but I think it is quite a coincidence I had nothing leaking before bringing it in to them.

That's just one reason to stay away from the quick-lube places.

Is replacing the power steering lines an expensive job?

I've never done one on this vehicle before..but in general the parts aren't expensive. It's mostly labor...and that all depends on how accessible the hose is.

 

[HokieRunner]

Depends which lines you're replacing. The labor is easy. High pressure side hoses are expensive though (several $100). Take it to a trusted mechanic for diagnosis if you're unable to figure it out yourself.

 

[lehiguy]

Could also be transmission fluid. Not what you want, but a possibility.

 

[Hapeacres]

I took it to my mechanic and at first glance the power steering line was very rusty but then loooking at the transmission line which was also wet and rusty, he determined the fluid was coming from the transmission cooler line under the radiator (which explains why the oil and power steering fluid levels looked ok). He is going to fix the transmission cooler line and replace the power steering line. After that I am going to take it to Toyota to have them do a complete transmission fluid flush since it never has been changed and looks very dark.

 

[ben550]

I took it to my mechanic and at first glance the power steering line was very rusty but then loooking at the transmission line which was also wet and rusty, he determined the fluid was coming from the transmission cooler line under the radiator (which explains why the oil and power steering fluid levels looked ok). He is going to fix the transmission cooler line and replace the power steering line. After that I am going to take it to Toyota to have them do a complete transmission fluid flush since it never has been changed and looks very dark.

Doing the complete transmission fluid flush is a good idea. Ask the dealer to drop the pan and clean it out when they do it. It might add some cost but it will help remove a lot of crud at the the bottom. There are two magnets on the bottom of the pan which collect metallic particles. Mine were covered in black soot. I did mine but it would be a lot cleaner and easier to have the dealer do it. Just make sure you check their work.

 

[Hapeacres]

a lot of people on here say I should not do a flush since it has 170K and has not been done before but the guy I spoke to at Toyota said that everyone who gets a flush says they are happy afterwards with the results with the way their car shifts. He said he would do it if it is dark colored and mine certainly is. He also said they do not remove the pan.

 

[DC runner]

Semantics is at play. Toyota doesn't flush, as in use high pressure system to push fluid through that can dislodge junk, destroying an older transmission.

Toyota, in my understanding uses a pressure neutral exchange system that doesn't break anything.

I had my fluid exchanged from a dealer and was very happy. Had it done at 115k, at 150k now and she still shifts very smoothly. Will have it done again with timing belt at 180k.

 

[Hapeacres]

thanks DC, you just took a little of the worry away from me!