Hi all!

Two weeks ago, I noticed a little oil under the front of my car. I looked underneath and saw that the oil filter door was open and hanging down. I didn't see any leaks from there so I shut the filter door. Nothing since.

Today I noticed a bigger oil spot, and I went out and looked underneath again. This time, the oil filter door was closed. However, towards the back of that door, it looked like the plastic was bowed (for lack of better words), and I saw the oil dripping from there. From different things I read it could be hoses...with the one set being easier to replace than the other. Also, for the past two years, I've been losing coolant, which I also read is not good news, but I've had no engine issues regarding this.

I hope someone can point me in the right direction. I'm a full-time student majoring in IT, so mechanics are not my specialty.

Thank you in advance!
Joanie

 

well,you need to pull off that plastic covers stuff. then head up to the car wash and pressure wash it down to clean it up. then run it around town for a few minutes and go home. then grab a flashlight and find the leak. it'll be fresh since u washed it. then grab us a pic.

 

Okay, Chris, it's getting dark here now, so I'll do it tomorrow and get a picture. Thank you!

 

The plastic shield comes off by removing 6 15mm bolts; the shield then just drops down. No problem leaving it off while you find the oil leak source unless going off road.

Common problem with the '02 is the front two oil pan bolts come loose and fall out. Requires a U joint adapter on the end of an extension to get to the bolts, but not difficult to either tighten or replace the bolts. Just do not get over tighten the bolts or the gasket will squish out as I do not know if there are washers imbedded in to the oil plan gasket that prevents this or not.