A320
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 210; Flight Crew Total 10000; Flight Crew Type 6000
Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance
General Maintenance Action
Procedure; Aircraft; Human Factors
Fluid was discovered on the bottom of the Number two engine cowl during the exterior inspection. There was also fluid that had accumulated on the ground as the aircraft sat overnight. The engine drain mast showed no signs of fluid leakage. A log item was entered and Maintenance was contacted. I was waiting outside when Maintenance arrived at the aircraft. As the Mechanic approached the engine; he immediately stated that the fluid on the ground was old and not significant in quantity. I showed him the fluid that was on the bottom of the cowl and stated that I believed the fluid on the ground was fresh from this aircraft's engine. His tone was extremely condescending and dismissive as he stated that this was completely normal for these engines. I explained to him that I was required to inform Maintenance of the defect and that in my experience this was not normal for the Airbus. As I began to return to the cockpit; he stated (without any inspection) that the fluid was due to an over service of the engine. The Mechanic followed me to the cockpit where the discussion continued in the presence of the Captain. The Mechanic was clearly irritated that I had entered the log item and that I disagreed with his assessment of the source of the leaking fluid. He then abruptly left the cockpit and returned to the Maintenance area. Shortly before pushback we received the MRD. The log item was signed off as 'Inspected Number 2 Engine; no leaks noted'. It is important to note that the Mechanic never wiped the fluid from engine cowl; never opened the engine cowl; and never did any kind of inspection. He signed it off as 'no leaks noted' even though he admitted to both me and the Captain that there was fluid on the ground and on the bottom of the engine cowl. After pushback during the engine start; the Number two generator failed to come on line automatically. I was able to bring the generator on manually; but was concerned that these two items may be related. Upon arrival in ZZZZ I inspected the engine and found the underside completely soaked in fluid as well as fluid already beginning to accumulate on the ground. The outbound crew was briefed.
A320 First Officer discovers fluid leaking from the Number two engine during preflight and contacts Maintenance. The Maintenance Technician states that the small leak is normal and signs off the logbook with 'Inspected Number 2 Engine; no leaks noted' without opening the engine cowl or wiping down the fluid on the bottom of the cowl.