I took my care in to the service station. I have an older vehicle with 160,000 miles. Took it in for an oil change the mechanic checked for leak called said it was the oil pan gasket. He said if it leaks less than a quart a month its OK for a car with this amount of miles.

What confuses me is the oil is not leaking by the oil pan and it shows up to the left of pan and in front of the pan area. It appears to be dripping down from above the pan. When the heat is on at times you smell a light oil burn smell. I'm planning on getting it double checked with another service station.


What would be an acceptable amount of oil leak for a car not to constitute a repair for an older vehicle?

For some, any leak is bad. Your engine's oil is the life-blood of your car.
It seems to me that it isn't the amount of oil that's leaking. Usually, it's more a question about how much does it cost.

Thanks.

If it's leaking down from the top, it could be a valve cover gasket, oil filter(depends where it is located), oil pressure sending unit etc. Keep looking.

Got good price on new gasket needed to get done as was brought out it can just get to expensive. Seepage on the timing chain cover major job only noticeable when heat is on at times.