A319
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Procedure
Upon noticing an oil leak on the number two engine; I spoke with [Maintenance]. [They] seemed to be focusing on consumption; not leaking; and mentioned 16 quarts of consumption since [a previous date]; a reference point which had no bearing on the current situation - a leak on the ground. After continued conversation with [Maintenance] and [Operations]; we agreed to; and I conducted; an engine run. Subsequent to the engine run; the contract Maintenance Technician; found an oil leak on the gearbox.My concerns revolve around [Maintenance's] dismissive approach to an oil leak and; prior to the engine run that I insisted upon; that there was no reason I shouldn't accept the airplane as airworthy. In fact there were 16 quarts of oil added to the engine in 105 hours of operation. Since only a minority of us have the benefit of aircraft mechanic certification as I do; I fear that another Captain might accept the pressure and dismissal of maintenance.It is imperative that for a legal operation and the highest level of safety that we create steps to correct these kinds of events with a high potential of un-airworthy aircraft utilized in the operation.
A319 Captain reported that a visible engine oil leak was initially dismissed as an oil consumption issue by Maintenance.