Narrative:

During the preflight inspection I noticed fluid underneath the number two engine cowling in the vicinity of the drain mast. Upon finishing the aircraft inspection I briefed the captain and called maintenance (mx) from the jetway telephone. I then entered the log item in ACARS. As we continued with our cockpit preparation; we did not hear or see anything from mx for some time. The captain called mx to inquire about the progress and was informed that it had been signed off. Because we had not received the release from mx; the captain entered the code to acquire the current maintenance release. When we reviewed the release we saw that it was signed off as follows; ok - found no active leak. Stains on grd from engine shutdowns. I informed the captain that I disagreed with the explanation and that the fluid was new since the aircraft's arrival at the gate. I also showed the captain three digital photos I had taken of the leak. The captain then called mx and asked that the mechanic (who signed off the write-up) return to the aircraft. When the mechanic returned; the captain requested I show the mechanic the leak so that we were all on the same page. I followed the mechanic down the jetway and watched as he proceeded toward the number 1 engine. I was walking toward the number 2 engine when he noticed and began to follow. When we got to the engine I showed him the fresh fluid on the ground and also wiped sample off the bottom of the cowling (he never bothered to bend down to look at the the underside of the engine). He tried to convince me that this was normal. I told him that I disagreed and he said; 'well; I already signed it off!' as I returned to the aircraft he continued to lecture me about how fluid coming off the engine was normal. At one point he tried to pass off the fluid as an over-service of engine oil. The mechanic continued to lecture me; at times raising his voice; as we made our way up the jetway. He was very argumentative. In the cockpit he continued to interrupt me as I tried to advocate to the captain my point of view. At one point he became very agitated and said that fluid leaking from the bottom of engines is normal and that this was just like the dc-8; 727; etc. He also said that if we want he can pull everyone off the airplane; delay the the flight for over an hour; open up the cowling; and run the engine. Then he pointedly said; 'but; I will tell you right now; I won't find anything!' the captain informed the mechanic that we would discuss the matter and he left the airplane. During our discussion I advocated strongly that we have the engine properly examined. The discussion continued for some time which resulted in a pilot delay. The captain made the decision that we would start both engines and that if everything looked okay we would continue. Once the captain made the decision; we continued with the flight to ZZZ. Upon arrival in ZZZ; I re-examined the engine with a mechanic and found the underside of the cowling covered in either oil or hydraulic fluid. I do not believe that the first mechanic examined the number 2 engine before issuing a maintenance release. Additionally his attitude was extremely unprofessional. Although the flight arrived in ZZZ safely I do not believe the aircraft was properly examined prior to being released.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A319 First Officer reports discovering an engine oil leak during preflight which is not adequately addressed by Maintenance before being signed off.

Narrative: During the preflight inspection I noticed fluid underneath the number two engine cowling in the vicinity of the drain mast. Upon finishing the Aircraft inspection I briefed the Captain and called Maintenance (Mx) from the jetway telephone. I then entered the log item in ACARS. As we continued with our cockpit preparation; we did not hear or see anything from Mx for some time. The Captain called Mx to inquire about the progress and was informed that it had been signed off. Because we had not received the release from Mx; the Captain entered the code to acquire the current Maintenance Release. When we reviewed the Release we saw that it was signed off as follows; OK - FOUND NO ACTIVE LEAK. STAINS ON GRD FROM ENG SHUTDOWNS. I informed the Captain that I disagreed with the explanation and that the fluid was new since the aircraft's arrival at the gate. I also showed the Captain three digital photos I had taken of the leak. The Captain then called Mx and asked that the mechanic (who signed off the write-up) return to the aircraft. When the mechanic returned; the Captain requested I show the mechanic the leak so that we were all on the same page. I followed the mechanic down the jetway and watched as he proceeded toward the number 1 engine. I was walking toward the number 2 engine when he noticed and began to follow. When we got to the engine I showed him the fresh fluid on the ground and also wiped sample off the bottom of the cowling (he never bothered to bend down to look at the the underside of the engine). He tried to convince me that this was normal. I told him that I disagreed and he said; 'Well; I already signed it off!' As I returned to the aircraft he continued to lecture me about how fluid coming off the engine was normal. At one point he tried to pass off the fluid as an over-service of engine oil. The mechanic continued to lecture me; at times raising his voice; as we made our way up the jetway. He was very argumentative. In the cockpit he continued to interrupt me as I tried to advocate to the Captain my point of view. At one point he became very agitated and said that fluid leaking from the bottom of engines is normal and that this was just like the DC-8; 727; etc. He also said that if we want he can pull everyone off the airplane; delay the the flight for over an hour; open up the cowling; and run the engine. Then he pointedly said; 'but; I will tell you right now; I won't find anything!' The Captain informed the mechanic that we would discuss the matter and he left the airplane. During our discussion I advocated strongly that we have the engine properly examined. The discussion continued for some time which resulted in a pilot delay. The Captain made the decision that we would start both engines and that if everything looked okay we would continue. Once the Captain made the decision; we continued with the flight to ZZZ. Upon arrival in ZZZ; I re-examined the engine with a mechanic and found the underside of the cowling covered in either oil or hydraulic fluid. I do not believe that the first Mechanic examined the number 2 engine before issuing a maintenance release. Additionally his attitude was extremely unprofessional. Although the flight arrived in ZZZ safely I do not believe the aircraft was properly examined prior to being released.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.