While it might seem easy to ignore a few drops of oil on your driveway, it’s always a bad idea. Left unaddressed, a small oil leak can grow into a larger, much more expensive repair. Plus, if the leak worsens while a vehicle is in operation, it can cause the engine to seize. This can create a dangerous and hazardous situation for passengers in your vehicle and other motorists on the road. By getting regular oil change services, you can get ahead of oil leak issues before they worsen.
Common Causes & Signs of Oil Leaks
Common causes of oil leaks include degraded engine gaskets, leaks from the oil pan, or improper or worn out seals. An oil leak also can be caused by a loose or missing oil pan drain plug or deteriorated valve cover gaskets.
One of the easiest ways to determine if you have an oil leak is by using a dipstick to measure the oil level in your engine’s vehicle. Levels outside the minimum mark on the dipstick, indicated by an L, MIN, crosshatching or the lower pin hole, indicate that your oil level is low. Low oil levels can be a sign of an oil leak. Blue smoke coming from your vehicle’s hood or exhaust or a strong burning smell while the engine is running are other common signs of an oil leak.
Damages and Dangers from Oil Leaks
Oil stains on a driveway or garage floor are unsightly – and an environmental hazard. Used motor oil contains a co*cktail of toxic substances, and sometimes even pieces of lead, zinc and arsenic that have flaked or been shaved off metal engine components. If used engine oil is washed away by rain or irrigation water, these substances can seep into water or sewage systems. These contaminants eventually make their way into other waterways in the form of runoff, and can be toxic to plants and animals.
In addition to their environmental impacts, oil leaks can lead to major damage to your vehicle’s engine, as well as to its radiator and HVAC system. Accumulated oil can degrade the rubber hoses and seals used in these components and cause them to wear out prematurely.
Oil leaks are also a fire and safety hazard. If oil from a leak catches fire, or the engine seizes and fails while you’re driving, you or others could be injured. At best, a seized engine results in repairable damage. In other cases, the damage is so severe that the engine must be replaced.
Routine Oil Change Service Wilmington NC
Your vehicle is an important investment. If you notice even small drops of oil on your driveway or parking space, do not ignore it. If you think you may have an oil leak, O’Leary’s Automotive Repair is your go-to oil change service provider.
We are committed to matching drivers with the right oil for their vehicle and driving conditions. We offer oil change service in four convenient locations in Wilmington, Leland and Hampstead. Be sure to download our oil change coupons to take advantage of our winter special: an oil change and tire rotation starting at $39.99. Please contact us if you’d like to learn more about our oil change packages.
While it might seem easy to ignore a few drops of oil on your driveway, it's always a bad idea. Left unaddressed, a small oil leak can grow into a larger, much more expensive repair.
One of the most common reasons your car might be leaking oil is a damaged oil pan. The oil pan serves as a storage area for oil when the engine isn't using it. The oil pan includes a gasket that isolates the oil pan from the engine block. A damaged oil pan or gasket can cause an oil leak.
As long as your engine oil doesn't drop below the minimum level, the risk of driving with a minor leak is fairly small. However, all leaks should be examined by a professional mechanic and repaired as soon as possible, as small leaks can quickly turn into major problems.
A serious leak will deplete your oil levels faster and possibly lead to serious engine troubles. Even smaller leaks can prove detrimental depending on their location. A leak at the front crank seal or timing cover will reduce the vitality of the timing or engine drive belts.
Fixing a car oil leak costs about $600 to $1,000. If you're not sure where the leak is coming from, you'll pay about $100 just to diagnose the problem. After that, the price of repairs can vary widely, depending on the root cause of the leak.
Engine oil leaks are one of the most common causes of engine damage. They cause rapid deterioration of the engine and result in expensive repairs. Worse yet, engine oil leaks pose a safety threat. They may lead to the loss of control of the vehicle while driving.
While it might seem easy to ignore a few drops of oil on your driveway, it's always a bad idea. Left unaddressed, a small oil leak can grow into a larger, much more expensive repair.
First, you will want to check the oil pan seals. Also, you will want to check the oil pan plug. After you check the oil pan, go ahead and take a look at the timing cover seal and the valve cover gaskets. Other places to look for a possible leak include the oil pressure sensor, the oil filter, and the oil cap.
If no oil is showing, you should not drive your vehicle and instead have it towed to a service center. If you do notice oil at slightly below the minimum, you can still drive your vehicle for a short distance.
The most common culprits are worn-out gaskets and deteriorated seals around rotating parts like the crankshaft. Over time, these seals can wear down and let oil escape. Other causes for oil leaks include a faulty oil filter or a loose drain plug.
The good news is that most car oil leaks start small. In fact, a puddle between 1 to 2 inches in diameter, or what's referred to as “seepage,” usually don't represent an immediate threat to your engine.
The most critical engine oil leaks are those that starve your engine of oil. If you see a large puddle on the ground, don't try starting your engine. You may not have enough oil left to lubricate your engine and can cause permanent damage that can only be repaired by an engine rebuild or replacement.
You will see the cost of repairing a car oil leak can vary depending on the cause and location of the leak, as well as the type of vehicle and the mechanic's labour rate. The average cost of repairing a car oil leak is around £600 to £1,000, but can be higher or lower depending on the situation.
Worn out gaskets and seals are possibly the most common cause of oil leaks, since they are subjected to extreme heat and pressure every time you drive. Some seals, like those found on timing chain covers can be difficult to access and are best left to a trained professional to diagnose and repair.
If not replaced, the oil leaks can cause fumes or fire because of the heat produced. Or, the continuously depleting oil can ruin your engine due to wear and tear.
If you see a spot that is amber to dark brown or black in color, it's likely motor oil, says Cars.com. Oil that is older will likely look dark brown or black, says Angie's List — adding that you'll typically notice oil leaks directly under where the engine was.
If your engine is low on oil but there isn't a leak, that means it's probably being burned inside the engine. A bad PCV valve is a frequent culprit in the case of burning oil--but what is it, exactly? A PCV valve is designed to let air escape when the pressure in the crankcase is too high.
One of the most reliable ways to tell if you have an engine leak is to regularly examine the oil dipstick. If you see that the oil level is gradually decreasing, there's a good chance you've got a leak. Many people first realize their car has an oil leak when they spot a puddle on the pavement below their car.
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While it might seem easy to ignore a few drops of oil on your driveway, it’s always a bad idea. Left unaddressed, a small oil leak can grow into a larger, much more expensive repair. Plus, if the leak worsens while a vehicle is in operation, it can cause the engine to seize. This can create a dangerous and hazardous situation for passengers in your vehicle and other motorists on the road. By getting regular oil change services, you can get ahead of oil leak issues before they worsen.