Engine leaking oil, or other fluid. engine won't start. oil level full. what could be wrong?

You don't state what make, model or year the vehicle is, that being said...is the oil / fluid brown/ black like oil or is it red like transmission fluid? Some cars today have what they call sealed transmissions. Yes, they have fluid in them but there is no dipstick to check it with. The transmissions plugs that can be removed and you stick your finger in it to get the level, but you have to crawl under the car / truck to do this. Manufacturers like Kia and Toyota, and others feel that since they put in a high mileage long lasting fluid there is no need for the regular Joe to check the fluids on the car, therefore you can pay the bigger $$$ at 50k or 60K miles and let the deal tech do it for you.

The computer stopped the car to prevent you driving it and destroying the engine. So you will not be able to restart it until the problem is fixed.

Have you checked any of the following:
== engine oil level
== radiator coolant level
== if its an auto trans, the auto transmission fluid level.

Drop a white tissue into the fluid the car is dropping. Is it watery or oily and what colour is it.

I think you should check the fluid level in the trans since your on a flat spot it sounds like the the pick up tube can't get the fluid in it because the level is low inside so always check on level ground and check it while it's warmed up and engine running in park and I think you'll find the fluid level is low fill it up and park it with card board under it to check for a leak good luck Stephen

this can be very simple to solve,after you've driven the car for,say,20 miles or maybe even 15 miles,place a piece of plain brown cardboard under the motor on ground.under the motor.make sure the engines not running,just slide the cardboard under the motor on the ground.you can even put a big piece under the whole front of car,from side to side. your whole motor is in front,including the transmission. black fluid is oil leak,red fluid is transmission fluid. if your engines burning oil,then you'll be adding oil to your engine constantly. depending on how often you drive your vehicle. just remember black fluids oil leak,red fluids,transmission fluid leak. if your motors smoking black while running, that's oil burning with your gas. you may only have a simple issue,your check engine light on? autozone or advance auto parts store can read the codes for free!! thank you,for choosing fixya.com

Hi there, hope these few steps help:

• Raise the car with a jack and support the vehicle with jack stands sufficiently rated to safely support the weight of the vehicle.
• Place a large drip pan under the transmission.
• Remove the transmission fluid drain bolt with a wrench. The drain bolt is located at the bottom of the transmission facing the pan. The pan is the large flat plate that covers the very bottom of the transmission.
• Drain the transmission fluid into the drip pan.
• Reinstall the transmission fluid drain bolt with the same wrench used to remove the bolt.
• Lower the vehicle to the ground after removing the jack stands.
• Open the hood and remove the transmission dipstick from the filler tube by pulling the dipstick. The end of the dipstick will be curved into a circle to allow a finger to slide into the circle to withdraw the dipstick.
• Place a funnel into the dipstick tube and fill the transmission with new fluid by pouring the fluid into the dipstick tube.
• Remove the funnel and check the fluid level with the dipstick until the fluid reaches the "Full" mark on the tip of the dipstick.
• Start and allow the engine to run for a few minutes.
• Move the transmission gear selector through all of the gears while depressing the brake pedal.
• Turn the engine off and check the fluid level on the dipstick. Add transmission fluid if necessary.

Best of luck.

TO DO A TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE YOU NEED HAVE TRANSMISSION FLUID ON HAND YOU NEED TRANSMISSION FILTER AND GASKET.YOU NEED 3/8 WRENCH THE RATCHET TYPE WITH METRIC SOCKETS. YOU NEED JACK TO RAISE VECHICLE SUPPORT VECHICLE ON JACK STANDS.YOU NEED A DRAIN PAN. ONCE YOU GET VECHICLE OFF GROUND.PLACE DRAIN PAN UNDER TRANSMISSION OIL PAN REMOVE OIL PAN DRAIN BOLT.LET FLUID DRAIN OUT IN DRAIN PAN THEN SCREW DRAIN PLUG BACK IN PLACE DONT OVER TIGHTEN.REMOVE OIL PAN AND GASKET. BESURE TO HAVE PAPER TOWEL ON HAND.MAKE SURE TRANSMISSION OIL PAN GASKET SURFACE CLEAN BEFORE INSTALLING NEW PAN GASKET. ONCE TRANSMISSION OIL PAN REMOVED. REMOVE THE OLD TRANSMISSION FILTER INSTALL THE NEW FILTER.THEN WITH NEW GASKET ON OIL PAN IN PLACE.OIL PAN NEED TO BE CLEAN SO THE GASKET ADHESIVE WILL HOLD PAN GASKET IN PLACE WHILE INSTALLING PAN AND GASKET TO TRANSMISSION.INSTALL OIL PAN BOLTS INSTALL THEM CRISS CROSS TORQUE PAN BOLTS TO 7 TO 10 FT LBS. LOOK IN OWNERS MANUAL FOR TRANSMISSION FLUID CAPACITY.BUY 10 QUARTS .TO BE ON SAFE SIDE SO YOU WILL HAVE ENOUGH FLUID ON HAND. IF YOU DONT HAVE NO TRANSMISSION FLUID CAPACITY. ADD 7.5 QUARTS FLUID.WAIT FOR 2 MINUTES.CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL ON DIP STICK. SHOULD BE ON THE FULL MARK.CRANK VECHICLE UP.LET IDLE FEW MINUTES CHECK TRANSMISSION DIP FLUID LEVEL IF DROPPED ADD LITTLE MORE.WHILE ENGINE IDLING GETTING WARM UP. KEEP EYE ON FLUID LEVEL.WHEN FLUID LEVEL STOP DROPPING. APPLY BRAKES HOLD FOOT ON BRAKES SHIFT THROUGH ALL GEARS TWO TIMES. THEN CHECK FLUID LEVEL SHOULD BE ON FULL MARK.CHECK FOR LEAKS WHILE ENGINE RUNNING.

Yes, your brakes are boosted by the power steering pump rather than by vacuum. I don't think it's air in the system. More likely your pump has failed, but you can try bleeding the pump. Here is a procedure from autozone.com:

Observe the following:
Use clean, new power steering fluid type only Hoses touching the frame, body or engine may cause system noise. Verify that the hoses do not touch any other part of the vehicle. Loose connections may not leak, but could allow air into the steering system. Verify that all hose connections are tight.


NOTE Power steering fluid level must be maintained throughout bleed procedure.

1. Fill pump reservoir with fluid to minimum system level, FULL COLD level, or middle of hash mark on cap stick fluid level indicator.
   NOTE With hydro-boost only, the oil level will appear falsely high if the hydro-boost accumulator is not fully charged. Do not apply the brake pedal with the engine OFF . This will discharge the hydro-boost accumulator.
   
2. If equipped with hydro-boost, fully charge the hydro-boost accumulator using the following procedure:
   1. Start the engine.
   2. Firmly apply the brake pedal 10-15 times.
   3. Turn the engine OFF
   
   
3. Raise the vehicle until the front wheels are off the ground.
4. With key in the ON position and the engine OFF , turn the steering wheel from stop to stop 12 times. Vehicles equipped with hydro-boost systems or longer length power steering hoses may require turns up to 15 to 20 stop to stops.
5. Verify power steering fluid level per operating specification.
6. Start the engine. Rotate steering wheel from left to right. Check for sign of cavitation or fluid aeration (pump noise/whining).
7. Verify the fluid level. Repeat the bleed procedure if necessary.

Observe the following:



Use clean, new power steering fluid type only Hoses touching the frame, body or engine may cause system noise. Verify that the hoses do not touch any other part of the vehicle. Loose connections may not leak, but could allow air into the steering system. Verify that all hose connections are tight.
NOTE Power steering fluid level must be maintained throughout bleed procedure.

1. Fill pump reservoir with fluid to minimum system level, FULL COLD level, or middle of hash mark on cap stick fluid level indicator.
   NOTE With hydro-boost only, the oil level will appear falsely high if the hydro-boost accumulator is not fully charged. Do not apply the brake pedal with the engine OFF . This will discharge the hydro-boost accumulator.
   
2. If equipped with hydro-boost, fully charge the hydro-boost accumulator using the following procedure:
   1. Start the engine.
   2. Firmly apply the brake pedal 10-15 times.
   3. Turn the engine OFF
   
   
3. Raise the vehicle until the front wheels are off the ground.
4. With key in the ON position and the engine OFF , turn the steering wheel from stop to stop 12 times. Vehicles equipped with hydro-boost systems or longer length power steering hoses may require turns up to 15 to 20 stop to stops.
5. Verify power steering fluid level per operating specification.
6. Start the engine. Rotate steering wheel from left to right. Check for sign of cavitation or fluid aeration (pump noise/whining).
7. Verify the fluid level. Repeat the bleed procedure if necessary.

Your problem could be a pressure side hose that has a rupture that only leaks in extreme conditions. Inspect to replace with new to repair problem. First make sure you have removed the pump caps off of the hose fittings. If ok, it appears you may have a stuck valve in the rack assembly. Replacing the rack should solve your problem. ------- The new pump should be self-bleeding by turning the wheels left and right. Let sit over night to release air bubbles, recheck fluid level.------ Check the tension of the drive belts on the pump, as they may be loose. The power steering pump and reservoir is located on the front of the engine driven by one of the fan belts. There is a removable cap on the top with a dipstick attached. With the engine off, fill this up to the full mark with power steering fluid. Replace the cap, start the engine and check for leaks. On the back of the pump are two hoses either one could be leaking. REPAIR PROCEDURE:
1. Wipe the power steering cap and area free of dirt. Remove the power steering cap.

2. Use a siphon pump to remove as much fluid as possible from the power steering fluid reservoir.

3. With a helper in the vehicle, raise the vehicle on an appropriate hoist.

WARNING :POWER STEERING FLUID, ENGINE PARTS, AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM MAY BE EXTREMELY HOT IF THE ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING. DO NOT START ENGINE WITH ANY LOOSE OR DISCONNECTED HOSES. DO NOT ALLOW HOSES OR POWER STEERING FLUID TO TOUCH HOT EXHAUST MANI FOLD OR CATALYST. 4. Locate the power steering cooler attached to the crossmember support plate. Slide back the clamp and disconnect one of the two power steering return hoses at the power steering oil cooler and drain fluid in an appropriate container.
5. Have the helper turn the steering wheel back and forth quickly several times to force as much fluid as possible from the steering gear.
6. Reconnect the hose at the oil cooler using the original clamp.
7. Lower vehicle so the vehicle tires are not contacting the ground. 9. For proper fluid fill and bleeding air from the power steering system:

a. Fill the power steering reservoir to the top of the fill range using Mopar power steering fluid (ATF+4) p/n 05013458AA.

b. With the engine OFF and the vehicles tires off the ground, slowly turn the steering wheel back and forth (lock to lock) slowly 20 times to force fluid into the steering gear.

c. Fill the power steering reservoir to the top of the fill range.

d. Start engine and let run for a few seconds, then turn oft engine.

e. Check fluid level and add if necessary.

f. Start engine, and slowly turn the steering wheel lightly contacting the left and right stops.

g. Stop the engine and check fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.

h. Lower vehicle, start engine and slowly turn steering wheel lock-to-lock.

I. Stop engine and check fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.

j. If fluid is extremely foamy, allow vehicle to stabilize a few minutes, then repeat steps "i" and "j" until the fluid level remains constant after running the engine and turning the steering wheel from lock to lock.

10. Inform the vehicle owner/operator that a steering vibration may be noted for a few hundred miles until the air is completely removed from the steering system. This will help. Thanks please keep updated.please do rate the solution positively .thank you for using fixya

The system will bleed out the air by turning the wheel all the way from one side to the other repeatedly, do this action at least 10 times to be sure all the air is remove from the hydraulic system. Be sure not to allow the fluid level to drop too low or air will get back into the system.

CAUTION: DO NOT OVERFILL.
Overfilling will cause foaming, loss of fluid, abnormal shifting and possible damage to the transmission.
1. Park the vehicle on level ground and apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Check fluid level with engine running at idle.
NOTE: Be sure that transmission fluid temperature is below 30degrees C (86degreesF).
3. Move the selector lever through all gear ranges.
4. Move the selector lever to “Park”.
5. Let engine idle for 3 minutes and open the overfill screw (1).
6. Add released transmission fluid until it flows out over the overfill screw opening.
7. Let engine idle until a fluid temperature between 32
C (90
F) and 57
C (135
F) is reached, then close the overfill screw (1).
Torque: 38 Nm (3.9 kg·m/28 lb ft)
NOTE: To prevent fluid leaks, the overfill screw and oil drain screws gasket must be replaced each time these screws are removed.

CAUTION: Do not open overfill screw with engine stopped.
CAUTION: DO NOT CHECK FLUID LEVEL UNDER THESE CONDITIONS:

Immediately after driving at sustained highway speeds.

In heavy city traffic during hot weather.

If vehicle is towing a trailer.
If the vehicle has been operated under these conditions, shut the engine off and allow the vehicle to “cool” for thirty (30) minutes. After the cool down period, restart the vehicle and continue from step 2 above.