Does this look like a gasket leak or much worse

[mpisano]

After major servicing and having to take my car back to the mechanic as it was still leaking, i have found another oil leak. If i could find it and i know nothing about cars how could they miss it? $5500 later and i want to avoid taking it back there, can someone help me out with this leak.

It looks to me like a gasket/seal? am i right or does it look like alot worse and going to cost me alot more money to fix.

its the sump behind the bash plate.

[GQtdauto]

It's hard to say , is it motor oil or trannie oil ? Without going back to the list you had done I'm sure they did the harmonic balancer and if so it may be the seal but just too hard to call from a pic .

[mpisano]

it is motor oil (black).
yes the did the harmonic balancer.

[Touses]

First ? bloke. Is it a constant leak ie when the vehicle is parked up does it continue to drip? Dodgy sump gasket seems logical

Is it only happening when the vehicle is running then when stopped some drips that cease quickly? Possible front main seal or weeping around an engine bolt.

Does it leak more when the vehicle is right up to full operating temp? Again more likely a seal or weeping.

Your problem will lay somewhere in the answers you satisfy yourself with. Clean the underside of the donk and investigate from cold thru to full temp.

[mpisano]

Thanks touses.

No not a constant. only once car has been running it leaks.

to give an idea. if i drive to the train station approx 2km it will weep out but not enough to drip onto the ground. but if i drive say 30kms it will weep enough to start dripping onto ground.

i was worried it would be a bigger issue.

monday getting a oil/filter change and adding liquid intelligence to see if that will help. otherwise going back to original mechanic to fix.

[mudnut]

I would say they stuffed up the front engine seal. Or there is a groove worn in the shaft by the previous seals.

[Touses]

I would say they stuffed up the front engine seal. Or there is a groove worn in the shaft by the previous seals.

That's my guess bloke. If the harmonic balancer has been off n on again a bit of rough handling may have damaged a seal.
@mpisano liquid intelligence never helps me mate. Leave the booze until the job is done eh!

[mudnut]

X2 in not using any stop leak fluid. They work by softening and expanding the rubber seal as it is absorbed.

[mpisano]

thanks guys, appreciate the feedback. only reason that im using stop leak fluid is cause this car seems to be a money pit and want to see if i can help the situation without having to be charged a arm and leg again.

will know by mid week.

[mpisano]

so in saying all this, how safe is it to be driving the car around? should i get it to mechanic ASAP, or will i be ok to drive around for a few hundred kms keeping an eye on the oil level and making sure it has oil in it.