Oil Leak - But Only When Weather is Cold

[cmccuist1]

I have a 2016 V6 (gas) and this started awhile ago. The truck will leak oil, but only when the weather drops below about 45 degrees. Once it warms up, the leak disappears! I thought the truck was self-healing, but we had some temp swings here in TX and the leak consistently started once the temp dropped. Anyone else have this problem?

 

[turkeybird56]

How about a picture? How much oil leaking? Where is the oil leaking from? Are you tracking and seeing how much oil you are losing? Need some details for any possible real Internet Guessnosis.

But, here is a guess/thought. Oil leaking, but stops when warms up yells a "gasket" failure somewhere. Gasket has shrunk due to numerous heat up/cool down cycles, especially since you are in Texas. Pan, filter. Just a saying.

 

[crash68]

Check the oil filter/housing assembly as they're know to spring leaks. The OEM is one is plastic , there's an aftermarket one that's aluminum if you determine that's where the leaking is coming from

 

[turkeybird56]

Check the oil filter/housing assembly as they're know to spring leaks. The OEM is one is plastic , there's an aftermarket one that's aluminum if you determine that's where the leaking is coming from

Kinda help if he sends a few pics and says where oil coming from, LOL.

 

[smittyd174]

My smart-ass answer is move somewhere warmer . Seriously stuff shrinks when cold and expands when hot . Cold be a hairline crack that opens slightly in the cold and when hot expands enough to seal it . Think of exhaust manifold noisy as hell when cold then quiets down as it heats up . Good luck.

 

[cmccuist1]

I have spent some time under the truck looking for the leak, but can't seem to find it. I hate to get under there with it running. I have a scissor lift. That may be my next move. I will pressure wash the under side and then check the oil filter housing assembly. The truck doesn't leak at all from say March through December, then it leaks a lot! Like a quart every 100 miles. I should be able to see it with that much leakage, but so far haven't found it.

 

[fireflymedic]

I would either use a oil made to expand gaskets or an oil additive during winter if I could not find the leak.

 

[Zoe Saldana]

I have a 2016 V6 (gas) and this started awhile ago. The truck will leak oil, but only when the weather drops below about 45 degrees. Once it warms up, the leak disappears! I thought the truck was self-healing, but we had some temp swings here in TX and the leak consistently started once the temp dropped. Anyone else have this problem?

Get under it and try to trace it from the bottom to the source.

You can try additives:

Lucas Stop Leak

Engine Oil Leak Sealant ATP AT-205 | eBay

Warranty Duration:Unspecified Length. Part Number: AT-205. About the Part.

www.ebay.com

 

[06 Dodge]

I would look for an oil compatible UV dye so that it would show up under black light so you can trace the leak to sorce

 

[clay282]

Nissan Frontiers are famous for this. The O ring where the oil cooler connects, does exactly what someone else mentioned. The heat cycles harden it and when winter comes it shrinks in the cold and you get drips. It was probably 20 minutes to replace. Once the gasket or o ring is to that point, no high mileage oil or additive promising to fix it... will help at all.

You can either pay a mechanic or crawl yourself under and around until you find it. If you already have oil stains, I'd suggest laying cardboard, like a Uhaul moving box for $2, under the truck. Then, before you start it, get directly under it and trace it up from there. Oil cooler, lines, and other connections are tension fittings. Tension fittings aren't bothered by temperatures. Your leak is from something pliable, like a gasket or o ring. Those seals are compression fittings. I'd guess, oil filter housing.