This leak was discovered under the car some time in 2020. The oil was soaked up with paper towels and then problem recurred. (The picture with the red paper towels is from transmission fluid from a different spill not related to this car).

Car is a 2003 GS430. You can see the Tire Savers showing the wheel base in relation to the leak. Mileage on the car is 6,550 (four digits).

I checked the engine oil and it didn't decrease. I looked within the engine bay and there was no obvious leak. The plastic panel underneath the oil filter was dry. The oil drain plug was dry.

I took it to a mechanic and it was stated that there was no identifiable oil leak (with the car running). Shortly after the mechanic visit, there was a slow leak (in the pictures). However, the volume of oil leakage (on the ground) appeared to be less than previously.

I was stumped...






I performed the next scheduled oil change and discovered the problem and source.

Within the car behind the driver's seat, I kept motor oil (Mobil 1 5-quart) containers that were new. These new Mobil 1 containers were within a Walmart plastic bag (the pre- 10 cent plastic bags that we had to purchase); these thin plastic bags are not as thick as the current Walmart bags we have to purchase for 10 cents.

When I took out the 5 quart jug, I discovered that the Walmart bag had oil within.

Lesson learned is that these plastic oil containers are susceptible to leakage even when brand new. The car is always garage stored so temperatures are not overly excessive (sitting in the hot sun). It's best not to store any liquids within the car.

 

You would smell the oil inside the car along with the stain on the carpet. How did the interior clean up? Oil manages to eat through many of the reusable plastic type bags.

 

I didn't really smell the oil.

Haven't had the time to wash it off of attempt to clean.

Black interior and carpets so no visible stains

This post was to warn others that plastic oil containers can eventually develop a leak even if there is no trauma.

I'm just glad that the oil leaked from the oil on the floor of the car instead of the oil I placed on the seats.

I've removed all petroleum products from the cars and no longer use it as storage.