Hi all,
Bit of a nightmare scenario - last week I returned from a trip to the shop and when I'd parked up I noticed a decent fluid leak originating from behind the drivers side front wheel. The car had had its slightly leaky radiator replaced at the last service and I suspected, maybe hoped, that it was just a loose hose related to that, unfortunately under closer inspection it was clearly engine oil
I've had the car recovered to Oakmere and the initial diagnosis is that one of the steel oil cooler pipes that runs through the sill has corroded through at the point where there is a retaining bracket, it looks like bracket has some packing material in it that has retained moisture and allowed this to happen, probably in part due to relative lack of use during the pandemic.
Obviously since this pipe runs through the sill, replacement is going to be challenging, Paul at Oakmere has some ideas and I'll update when I have a resolution.
My Google-fu couldn't find anyone else having had this issue, so I may be 'special' , but if you've got a reason to have the arch liners off, it maybe be worth a look down the sill cavity just in case. I was fortunate it happened on a short trip and there was still oil on the dipstick when I pulled up, so no engine damage.
Cheers,
Jon