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Just bought a Geo and now I'm lost
Topic Started: Mar 13 2013, 01:20 PM (1,159 Views)
Daron
Fresh Fish
[ * ]
Hello!

This is my first post so I'll probably introduce myself in the appropriate sub forum later but right now I'm very confused. I noticed yesterday that my Geo is leaking some oil. My mechanic friend suspects a loose bolt or the oil pan.

Let me preface this next part as such. I am 18 years old and don't know anything about cars, except they drive, and if you do regular maintenance, they will continue to drive. After a lot of research, the Geo seemed the perfect car to learn how to maintain and all that other good stuff.

Back to the issue at hand. I wanted to check the oil levels to make sure I'm not driving it really low, problem is, I'm not sure where the dip is! Directly to the left of the battery, is a round, almost screwed on, thing, that resembles a dipstick but it has no markings on it to indicate the oil levels. This makes me think that I've got the wrong piece. The only writing on it are the words, "HOT and COLD" I believe.

Am I looking in the wrong place? I've scoured the engine compartment and I just feel a little lost and confused :(

Pictures if you have them would be great!

Daron
93 4Dr Automatic
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jkeney


Hello Daron.
Your dipstick is the one with the yellow loop behind the intake tube.
The leak could very well be your rear main seal which would mean pulling the engine out to get to the flywheel, so your learning experience could be a steeper learning curve than you expected. Even if it is your rear main seal or any seal on this car it is really easy to work on. clean everything up so you can see where the leak is coming from yourself.
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jonathan180iq
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Not Really All That Smart

I can't come up with a good photo right now, but from the front of your vehicle, with the hood opened, look on the left hand side. Just behind the extension from your air filter cover (The big round black flying saucer on top of your engine) you should be able to see the end of your dipstick, sticking up. It might be painted yellow on the end and it might not. But that's it.

Pull it straight up and out and you should see oil dripping off the end. If whatever you pull on resists you, it's not the dip stick. haha.

Posted Image
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1.0smallblock
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DirtBag

heres a picture....some are a yellow loop
some are a black "T" handle.

Posted Image
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94RHDRollerskate
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Forum Stud Muffin

.
Once you find the dip stick. Make sure the car is NOT running, and has sat for a minute or two to allow the oil to drain back down from the crankcase to the pan. Pull the dip stick out and wipe it clean. Re-insert it fully, and then pull it out a second time. Level should be within the 'safe' zone which is between the two lines. If at the lower line, add 1 quart.

Welcome, and feel free to ask anything. Friendly, very helpful group here.

Oh, and one more thing... everything's not bigger in Texas... Alaska is bigger. Just sayin'.


.
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Daron
Fresh Fish
[ * ]
Thanks everyone! Looking from the front of the car does make spotting that difficult. It was black too :smackface

There wasn't any writing on it though but there were two small holes. I assume they are equivalent to low and full markers? If thats the case, the levels seem to be ok for right now which I would assume means that its not leaking 24/7. Good sign?

I live in an apartment complex so I can't take my car apart right now (nor do I have a lot of the tools. I have access to a socket wrench set, etc) but I'll try and get underneath it ASAP.

I know that the leak is coming from the passenger side of the engine, between 6" and 1' off center it seems. That's as close as I can approximate without jacking the car up and looking. Any ideas?
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94RHDRollerskate
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Daron
Mar 13 2013, 01:56 PM
Thanks everyone! Looking from the front of the car does make spotting that difficult. It was black too :smackface

There wasn't any writing on it though but there were two small holes. I assume they are equivalent to low and full markers? If thats the case, the levels seem to be ok for right now which I would assume means that its not leaking 24/7. Good sign?

I live in an apartment complex so I can't take my car apart right now (nor do I have a lot of the tools. I have access to a socket wrench set, etc) but I'll try and get underneath it ASAP.

I know that the leak is coming from the passenger side of the engine, between 6" and 1' off center it seems. That's as close as I can approximate without jacking the car up and looking. Any ideas?
.

Might want to look at your distributor. It's the thing that the spark plug wires all come from, near the front of the engine bay. Check underneath where it mounts into the engine. There is an o-ring that fails and causes a leak.

They do make a dye that can be added into the oil, which will glow with a black light bulb to show leak locations. Dye for engine oil is harder to find in stores than other types, but they do make it. Just a suggestion to keep in mind.

Good luck and keep us posted.

.
Edited by 94RHDRollerskate, Mar 13 2013, 02:05 PM.
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jonathan180iq
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Not Really All That Smart

Geeze, way to make me look bad, SmallBlock....

:cheers
Edited by jonathan180iq, Mar 13 2013, 02:17 PM.
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jkeney


engine degreaser and a roll of shop towels to clean everything up to find where your leak is actually coming from.
A bunch of the seals could make oil appear to be coming from the oil pan because it leaks down and runs along its edges and collects before it drips off the oil pan lip.
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94RHDRollerskate
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.
A good pressure washing at the car wash (if legal to do so where you live) taking care to not spray certain things like your alternator or distributor, with the engine running...

.
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geogonfa
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Welcome to the fun...I'm south of you near Austin...this is a very informative, helpful forum, and lots of good people here...
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1.0smallblock
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DirtBag

jonathan180iq
Mar 13 2013, 02:16 PM
Geeze, way to make me look bad, SmallBlock....

:cheers
not my intent...
didnt mean to step on your dick.
:D
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Johnny Mullet
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Fear the Mullet

I have a feeling your crankshaft seal and/or camshaft seal is leaking. Might as well do the timing belt also.
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cwatkin


These are great little cars and are really easy to work on. If you have access to a metric socket set, that will take care of about 90% of the repairs you might need on this car. A few screwdrivers and you have it about covered. Seriously, I could change an entire engine with a metric socket set and a jack on the side of the road. These are very simple to work on and have lots of room which is surprising given the size of the car.

As for your leak, it is probably one of the timing seals on the side of the engine. Check, clean, and replace the PCV if needed as this can contribute to the problem but I would also do the timing seals, water pump, and timing belt if you get that far into the engine.

I would also change the oil if you don't know when it was done last. If you can't see the metal of the dipstick through the oil, CHANGE IT!

Anyway, good luck with the new car. People here will be able to help you through about any project.

Conor
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