Originally Posted By: HangFire
Originally Posted By: smc733
Never had to add oil. I did have an issue with the serpentene belt slipping, but this was fixed when a bolt that wasn't replaced when the water pump was fixed.
Thanks for answering my questions.
This is my take on it. If I don't have to add oil, and it isn't making an awful mess in my garage, it can wait. If remediation gets down to "I wipe off excess oil film once a month", I can live with that. I can take the time to make a plan, and decide whether to trade it in, or just do it later if it gets worse.
This is more than an academic question for me, I have a 2010 Corolla. Like yours it is payed for. Unlike yours it has been 100% reliable for 162K miles, with nothing but maintenance and some safety recalls. Like you I don't love the interior and the handling is just meh. On the other hand, I love the transmission programming (can't say that about a rental Hyundai I drove), the reliability, the utility, and the economy. My current plan is to run it to 250K then sell it or trade it in.
Thanks for your reply. I agree with your approach, I was hoping to run this car to 200k before trading it in, and I also agree that the transmission programming is impeccable, I almost never feel a shift (I, too, can't say the same for my wife's Hyunda). The handling is dismal, though.
Originally Posted By: KitaCam
Originally Posted By: smc733
There's been a seepage under the car, but I assumed it was from the AC condensation (it's below the passenger's seat in the cabin, not under the hood). I will be checking it more carefully now and report back. The timing cover side of the engine does look "wet" as if something is leaking. I check the oil a few times throughout the OCI, and have never noticed it being low. Never had to add oil. I did have an issue with the serpentine belt slipping, but this was fixed when a bolt that wasn't replaced when the water pump was fixed.
When you say you don't have to add any oil between OCs...that would contradict everything we've read thus far...How many miles is your OCI? Regardless, it's hard to believe you have a serious oil leakage if you don't have to add any oil.
But to address this post:
"seepage" is what? drips? drops that remain on the driveway the next day? drops that leave a mess of spots on your driveway? THAT'S oil...
or...(something out of left field, I know)...
If they're drops that don't evaporate and are REDDISH in color, that's power steering fluid...a whole other issue...
Occasionally my PS leak leaves nickel-size drops that remain for weeks before disappearing that amounts to my having to add 2oz twice a year. My repair is a rubber mat under the car.
AC condensation is clear water that evaporates in an hour or two and leaves no telltale spots on your driveway.
I don't mean to be cruel, but surely you can tell the difference between water and oil.
On the engine block, wet areas that do not lead to drops under the car is "weepage" that might be easily dealt with by using HM oil with additives that restore sealing properties.
Sorry OP, but the more you post the more I'm reading a lot of vague descriptions of your observations and experiences....As a result you're getting a lot of very different courses of action to take. Nonetheless we'll do the best we can with the information you provide.
I'll try to give more detail now that I've been paying attention to what drips under the car over the last 24 hours. I do not have any oil spots in my garage or driveway. I used a paper towel yesterday to blot the drip after a long drive, and it was clearly just condensation water. It looks like this leaking the dealer alluded to is limited to just weeping for now. (This car has electronic power steering, so no fluid).
As far as my OCI, it used to be 5k, but I've pushed it to the book recommended 10k with the OEM Toyota synthetic oil and filter. I try to check the levels (and color) every few thousand miles throughout the OCI, and I have yet to notice any significant change in level (nothing to warrant adding oil).