What am I? Oil leak
More than a grease spot
So, if you see a trickle of oil anywhere on the cowling and/or wheel pant, it’s as if a vein or at least a capillary has been opened. Just as you’d never walk around with an open, bleeding wound, you’ll want to investigate and remedy the source of an oil leak in a training airplane.
The color of the leaked oil is a clue. Is it golden brown, as if it just came out of the bottle? It probably did, and it may be the result of some spillage from the person who added a quart before you. End of mystery. Is it dark brown or black? That’s a signal it came from the engine and may warrant some additional investigation.
Some aircraft engines just leak a negligible amount, and it doesn’t create any safety of flight issues. But unless the airplane and engine in question belong to you and you are very familiar with them, don’t hesitate to raise the question with a mechanic or a flight instructor. Oil leaks never get better by themselves, and often get worse. Ignoring an oil leak is not a habit you want to develop.
Oil leak evidence
Cowling. During flight, leaking oil can streak out of vents and stipple the cowling—or the windscreen, if the engine is hemorrhaging oil—with a greasy residue.
Nosewheel or wheel pant. While the aircraft is parked, oil from a leak is free to dribble straight out of the cowling onto the nosewheel. It’s more obvious on a wheel pant.
Engine compartment. If you fly an airplane whose cowling can be lifted or removed altogether to give you a really good view of the engine compartment, look and feel for signs of oil leakage on the engine block.
Floor of hangar. Just as you’d keep an eye out for signs of leaking oil in your garage or driveway, make a habit of checking the hangar floor or tiedown for fresh oil stains.
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