Oil splashes in wheel arches

[iandvl]

The Patrol was washed on Wednesday, and I was out in Swartruggens over the weekend. When I got home, I found that the front and back wheel arches were coated in a very thin film of, what appears to be, oil. Only on the right hand side, and there was more oil around the back wheel arch than the front.

I can not work out where it comes from. I've been through everything. I see no leaks anywhere, and all fluid levels are perfect. So about the only assumption I can make is that I must have driven through a patch of oily water... But I cannot remember driving through any water since the truck has been washed...

Can "die manne wat ken" perhaps point out something I may have overlooked ? Diff breathers maybe ? Do they come out on the right hand side somewhere ? If so, why would the be pushing oil out ?

[ricster]

Difficult to guess mate, but I would wash it off and after a good few Km check again if there is the same splashes. As its on both wheels, it may be that you drove over some oil patch on the road. Check under the Patrol for any telltale signs of a leak. It will be quite a leak if there was enough "oil" to coat both the wheel arches!!

[iandvl]

Difficult to guess mate, but I would wash it off and after a good few Km check again if there is the same splashes. As its on both wheels, it may be that you drove over some oil patch on the road. Check under the Patrol for any telltale signs of a leak. It will be quite a leak if there was enough "oil" to coat both the wheel arches!!

Cedric,

Thanks - that was my thought - ie: anything dumping that much oil should be relatively easy to spot. But there is nothing. Nada.

I just cannot remember driving through any oil, water, anything since Wednesday. Yes, we were out in the bush, and the vehicle was in low range on two occasions, but the veld is as dry as anything out that side. Personally, (and especially since I'm not doing river trip ) I would have appreciated some mud... :)

I'll clean the splash marks off this evening and keep an eye on it.

[bogeyman]

Ian,
Stop driving behind Land Rovers.

From what I read , it must have been something on the road, Maybe diesel.

If there is no oil spill under the car where you park it , don't worry.

[IanT]

Hay Christo, stop picking on us Landy Lovers, we don't leak oil we just mark our territory!!! LOL

[ricster]

hahaha.... Your Landy better go to the proctologist, cause that's far too much leaking.... oops sorry marking of territory going on

[iandvl]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. Nothing under vehicle and similar. I'll stop worrying now. Appreciate the responses.

[Wilkie]

maybe when you had your car washed and they put that shining polish on the tyres ,it comes of and leaves a nice oil ring in the wheel arches...??

[Stefan]

Shock-absorber oil?

[Peter Connan]

My feeling is that any leak from the vehicle that gets deposited inside the wheelarches must be flung by the tires.

If there is no oil on the inside surface of the tires, then it's not coming from your car.

If there is oil on the inside surface of the tire, it could probably only be diff oil or brake fluid...