Hi, my 2010 1.4 TSI Octavia has only done 45,000 km. But there is a constant engine oil leak, dripping from the engine. The plastic tray is catching the oil, then it trickles to the garage floor. I get about 50ml on the floor after each journey. Is there a common location for leaks on this engine? Rocker cover? Sump seal? I can see some oil drips on the alternator, and generally other parts of the engine underside.  I noticed the oil filter does not seal very well. Initially i noticed it was leaking slightly after an oil change - i had to tighten it a bit more. Any other ideas?

It sounds to me like you've already found it!

 

The oil filter should seal perfectly.

You need to remove the undertray and have a look at what you can see and where the wet oil can be traced to....

Welcome.

 

My guess because common.

The tech at the last service never removed the seal and there are 2 on.

Lots of threads posts in the Fabia Mk2 section so i just needed to remember.  Pity more techs do not read forums.

1 hour ago, silver1011 said:

It sounds to me like you've already found it!

 

The oil filter should seal perfectly.

Maybe - but i have re-tightened the filter, and there does not seem to be leak from it. Yet oil still coming down from somewhere.

52 minutes ago, TheClient said:

You need to remove the undertray and have a look at what you can see and where the wet oil can be traced to....

I did that, but oil was in several places. Seems it must be getting blown around. Even on the alternator. I am thinking i need to clean it all off, run the engine, and watch from underneath? Maybe with a clean cloth under the engine to see the location of the drip??

Yes. Clean off as much as you can. It does sound like it is dripping from above the aux drive belt that runs the alternator and air con. It could well be oil filter as you suggest. Could be best to replace. If it is a cartridge one check thesealing  o ring in the outer case. If it is a canister, you usually lightly oil the face of the flat o ring before installation and you should only need to hand tighten firmly.

Solved! Today I took the filter off and inspected the filter mounting point on the engine. Sure enough, there were two flat rubber o rings, still on the mounting point! And the third one, which I had installed, was on the filter! So i removed the two off the engine, and refitted the filter with just the one flat o ring. Tightened it up to the recommended amount. The filter then sat properly on the mount. Started the engine - no more leaks! 

Then I spent another hour cleaning and degreasing the oil that had trickled down over the alternator, and onto the tray under the engine. Used spray degreaser and rags. 

Lesson learnt - always remove the old flat o ring from the filter mounting point when fitting a new filter...