What should you do if you have an oil leak in your car?
An oil leak should be acknowledged with proper initiative in order to prevent other potential problems from developing. Engine oil protects the engine from metal-on-metal contact, which can often result in permanent damage – so major care should be taken with oil leaks, especially if they are substantial in nature.
What causes oil to leak from an engine?
Internal seals and gaskets become brittle and shrink as they age, allowing oil to seep by. Sometimes this becomes visible as streaks of oil on lower engine parts or oil stains on a garage floor or driveway. When valve-guide seals wear out, motor oil can leak into combustion chambers and the engine will literally start burning oil.
How to find the source of an oil leak?
Step 1: Open the hood and visually inspect the top half of the engine for leaks. Conduct a thorough visual inspection of the motor to locate any suspect areas from which the leak may be originating. Use the flashlight to help illuminate darker or lower parts of the engine.
Is it normal to have a leak in your driveway?
A few drops of fluid on your driveway isn’t reason to panic, especially on an older car. Seepage and minor leaks are par for the course on vehicles with several years and thousands of miles on the clock.
What to do about oil leak in high mileage car?
With small leaks, blue smoke from burning oil may not be visible from the exhaust, but your oil level will probably drop below the full mark on a regular basis. The seal conditioners found in some high-mileage motor oils may reduce or eliminate small leaks and seepage by rejuvenating seals to their original size and shape.
Where does the oil leak in a car come from?
Oil can leak from gaskets and seals on the front or rear of an engine, from valve covers or from the oil pan underneath, so there are several possible sources of an oil leak. Transmission fluid is
What does it mean if your car has a leak in your driveway?
The fluid gets pumped through brake lines to the wheels, so leaks could be much further downstream and out of sight. A few drops of fluid on your driveway isn’t reason to panic, especially on an older car. Seepage and minor leaks are par for the course on vehicles with several years and thousands of miles on the clock.
What to do if you have a fluid leak in your car?
If you’re losing sleep worrying about a fluid leak, ask your dealership or local repair shop to take a look. Draining fluids can be a drain on your wallet, but the earlier they’re caught, the better. Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews.