audirunner

I've been trying to trace / fix an oil leak in my 97 12V 2.8. Drops of oil form under the oil pan close to the filter; one drop forms under the oil drain plug and a few more under the oil cooler. Not sure if it is the oil cooler gasket or the oil pan gasket, or something else.

The drops form after 30-40 miles of driving. After 3 weeks of driving with the leak, the stabilizer bar and front of the transmission undercarriage were also covered with oil, but I guess that may be due to oil being spattered when I drive... I don't know.

Any advice on choosing between oil pan / cooler gasket, or any other possible diagnosis?

ChooChooNongNongHead

mine was a very small crack on the bottom of the pan. (turned into a large crack when I hit a pot-hole) But could just be loose bolts, gasket, or the oil drain plug compression ring thingy. (you know they should be replaced every oil change, right?)

Mat Indukts Lambos

the oil pan upper gasket. I'd venture to replace that first, clean it, drive it, & see if there's still a leak.

audirunner

I guess I'll go with the oil cooler o-ring first. Yes, I do replace the oil drain plug compression ring. I'm due for an oil change, and I'm actually in 2 minds as to whether I should replace the oil cooler gasket also, or just replace the drain plug ring and try again.