Here are 5 possible causes of oil leak. Follow the guidelines & tips. It is suggested to consult a car mechanic to locate the source of leak during a car service in Reading.
Detection and repair of engine oil leaks
An oil leak in your car’s engine should never be ignored because it can be dangerous. Aside from engine failure, oil leaks can cause a fire in your engine bay or pose a hazard to other drivers on the road if enough oil is spilled. Having said that, repairing oil leaks should be prioritised, and proper car maintenance is essential.
There are some things you can do on your own to stop engine oil leaks. It doesn’t always take a trained mechanic to figure out the best solution. You must first identify the causes of the leak and locate the source of the leak before you can do so.
Five most likely causes of an oil leak
- Time – As you drive your car, the viscosity of your oil can degrade due to multiple heat cycles and oxidation. Gaskets, hoses, and other rubber components that keep oil and other fluids in their individual reservoirs and chambers deteriorate over time.
- Incorrect installation – Occasionally, one of your car’s gaskets or parts will be installed incorrectly. That means the oil pan or valve cover is either overtightened or not evenly tightened. It could also be an incorrectly attached oil filter, and if it’s loose, your car could leak. A faulty seal around your oil pump or an improperly fitted hose clamp on the pipe line could also be the cause.
- Accidents or physical damage – Debris on the road can damage your vehicle’s oil pans and gaskets. Because rutted roads can cause a hole, which can lead to an oil pan leak. Stone chips, rocks, and other road hazards can all damage your oil pans and gaskets.
- Heat – While engines and oil have a maximum operating temperature, excessive heat will cause your engine oil to thin out prematurely and leak out of your oil seals. In contrast, excessive heat will prematurely age your car’s gaskets, oil seals, and hoses.
- Far more engine oil – In the case of oil, too much of a good thing can be harmful, and too much of it can result in an overflow. There could be too much oil in your car’s engine, which could leak out through the upper extremities, specifically through valves and other breather hoses.
Locations of common leaks
You may already be familiar with the common locations or areas where oil leaks occur after reading about the various causes of oil leaks. Here are some examples of broken or worn-out gaskets, rings, or valve seals:
- Gaskets and seals
- Oil pans and lines
- Oil filter and drain bolt
How to Spot an Oil Spill
After you’ve covered the fundamentals, you’ll need to determine whether or not your car is leaking oil before you can come up with a solution. If in doubt, get a professional to have a look when searching for full car service near me. It’s also worth noting that the oil in your car is most likely the result of road grime and other people’s fluid, not yours:
- Examine the leak – Is there an oil leak here? Before you conclude that your car is dripping in oil, you must first see it for yourself. Examine the drips beneath your vehicle, then place some newspaper or a white plastic plate down to catch some of the fluid. If you see oil on a surface, blot it with paper towels to determine the colour and properties of the leaking fluid. A slow leak typically seeps out, whereas a fast leak drips.
- Examine the floor where your vehicle was parked as well. The next time you go to the mall, try parking on a dry surface and leaving your car there for a while, or leave your car in a parking structure. Before you leave, inspect the parking slot for oil and make sure it is clean. After that, park your car and proceed with your day. Before you leave for home or another trip, inspect the underside of your vehicle and the parking space. As a result, take responsibility and, if possible, try to clean up the oil. Paper towels are ideal for this because they allow you to collect a sample of the fluid on the ground while also cleaning up for the next person who parks in the same spot.
- Engine oil is amber in colour, thin and slippery, and has a strong chemical odour, whereas older oil can be dark brown to black in colour with a gritty or gunky texture. If you suspect an oil leak, keep an eye out for both of these. Keep in mind that other fluids may leak beneath your vehicle. If it’s clear and yellow, it’s brake fluid. It’s most likely your windscreen washer fluid if it’s green, bright orange, or pink and not sticky.
- Check your fluid levels on a regular basis – It is critical to check your fluid levels on a regular basis. You can check the oil level with the dipstick. If your oil level is low, it indicates that you haven’t changed your oil in a while or that you have a leak. If your oil level is low, your car requires an oil change; however, if you recently had an oil change and are now running low, there could be a leak.
- Find the source of the leak – You can hire a mechanic to do this, or you can play detective and find the source of the leak on your own if you’re willing to do a little dirty work. The following are some steps to take in order to locate the source of the oil leak:
- Switch off the engine and shine a light into the engine bay.
- Is there a lot of oil around? If this is the case, it could be a slow leak caused by the gaskets on the engine.
- Restart the engine after a few seconds of rest and thoroughly inspect your vehicle. If the oil starts spraying erratically, it’s because it’s passing through a worn crankshaft or seal.
- Consult a pro – If you don’t want to do the dirty work, you can always hire a motor oil expert or mechanic to do it for you when searching online for car service near me.
Repairing an Engine Oil Leak in Your Car
Following a description of the various methods for locating the source of an oil leak in a car, here are some solutions and repairs that can be carried out to stop the leak. All you’ll need to get started on your DIY project is a car jack, jack stands, a torque wrench, and some special additives or replacement parts like Mitsubishi parts WA:
- Repair it with tools – You’ll only need a few hand tools, a torque wrench, a car jack, and some stands or ramps to get started. The following are the steps for repairing an oil pan leak. To begin, jack up the vehicle to gain safe access to the oil pan. After that, inspect the oil pan for loose bolts and tighten any that are discovered. Please also inspect the timing belt and valve cover bolts and tighten them as needed. Please keep in mind that certain car models necessitate tightening bolts in a specific pattern to a specific torque specification.
- Stop the leak with an additive – Adding additives to your car’s rubber seals can soften and condition them, allowing you to stop and prevent future automotive leaks. This is why having your car’s oil changed on a regular basis is critical.
- Take your car to a reputable car repair garage – Of course, if you’re not skilled or confident enough to do this, you should take your car to a reputable car repair garage.
Follow these simple tips and you’ll have your car’s engine leak fixed in no time. If you are still unable to locate the source of the leak
, it is recommended that you have a trained technician locate the area of leak during a car service in Reading.
