Expert: Rick O. - 1/26/2009

Question
QUESTION: I just bought a 1999 VW Cabrio 2.0 Automatic and noticed oil drops on my drivway. I did a complete oil change and replaced the oil pan gasket. The next day I noticed more fresh oil on the driveway. The top of the motor is dry and show no signes of a leak. So where do i start looking for the leak now?

ANSWER: Phillip,
 Check the oil filter seal.

Rick

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Rick, Thanks for your quick response. When you say check the oil filter seal are you talking about that black rubber ring going around the "new" oil filter or are you talking about where the oil filter actually screws into the motor?
Thanks

Answer
Phillip,
 That is correct.  Sometimes when doing the oil filter change, it's easy not to notice the old oil filter seal is stuck on the engine, which can cause a bad seal when the new and old seals come together but improperly slip sideways past each other.
 This is just one easy thing for you to check.  However, oil leaks can come from many areas, valve covers, engine crank seals, head gaskets, etc.  Ultimately you may have to just jack the car up and do some thorough searching to really identify the source.

Rick