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Fluid/Oil splatter on passenger side below exhaust

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by a400ryan, Jul 23, 2022.

  1. a400ryan

    a400ryan Junior Member

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    Troubleshooting this fluid/oil splatter on pass side of engine.
    Motor oil fine
    Unsure how long has been like this
    Slight whine has started recently but wife did recently “ got a rock “ while driving..
    Dont feel it’s related
    My only guess is from exhaust seeping out or head gasket something ?
    Photos attached
     

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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    any seepage around the chain tensioner cover?

    all fluid levels good?

    spill during the last oil change?

    tranny fluid at the bottom of the fill plug threads?
     
  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Looks like mud to me... Clean everything as much as possible and see if it's something more concerning... This is a a good time of year to monitor it once it's clean.
     
  4. a400ryan

    a400ryan Junior Member

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    Doing the clean/check

    I’m looking to locate chain tensioner and see more

    Will end up taking to a shop I use over the years

    Any common issues related to these ?

    Car has also started to whine or drone down bit bit more and can’t justify wife hitting rock on hwy
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    not that i've read. what is it, how many miles?
     
  6. a400ryan

    a400ryan Junior Member

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    I went underneath to look after after wife felt something underneath like rock on hwy. Ended up seeing the splatter
    I was hoping exhaust but seems wet at this point
     
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  7. a400ryan

    a400ryan Junior Member

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    First image shows around area
    Second image, though dark, shows underneath exhaust with some blow by from exhaust ??
     

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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    check the cvj boots for damage
     
  9. a400ryan

    a400ryan Junior Member

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    Boot failure/issue might cause this ?
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    some grease might be flung out
     
  11. a400ryan

    a400ryan Junior Member

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    Seen no obvious damage but will check again once jack it up again this week

    My gut says leaking something oil related that side
     
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    unless she ran over a container of oil
     
  13. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Looks like oil film that has attracted dirt.
     
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  14. a400ryan

    a400ryan Junior Member

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    I’m feeling it’s more a oil leak overtime thing
     
  15. a400ryan

    a400ryan Junior Member

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    In a video I took can almost see the splatter is as high up as to head gasket area
    Would head casket play something this much ?
     
  16. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    I hope not.

    My experience is oil leaks often splatter all over their general area. Wind and water pushes the oil around. Remove the under engine covers, get the engine clean and then check for leaks over the next few days or weeks. Some people might add a uv dye to the oil if its really hard to find the source.
     
  17. a400ryan

    a400ryan Junior Member

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    Right
    Bit surprised on having leak like this on car/age
    2014 160,000 kms
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    lots of timing chain cover seepage, not sure on the c engine though. valve cover? oil filter?
     
  19. a400ryan

    a400ryan Junior Member

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    Thanks that’s what I’m thinking now too
    Mechanic replacing inner tie rod which was culprit of noise and will inspect when there
    I’ll update post with new info next week