If you notice a brown liquid dripping underneath your car after you pull over the side of the road, this could mean your car has an oil leak. It is crucial to fix the oil leakage problem as soon as possible to avoid further damage to your car’s engine. The simple prevention of this oil leak issue is to have regular Car Service Northampton. But the question is how can I know the cause of the leakage and how can you fix it?
In this blog post, we share some common reasons your car might be leaking oil and share some tips to help you prevent a leak from happening. If you are interested to know more about oil leaks then keep reading the article.
4 Reasons For Oil Leaking in Your Car
Damaged Oil Pan or Gasket
One of the most common oil leaks is because of the damaged oil pan. The oil pan works as a storage area for oil when the engine isn’t running. The oil pan is equipped with a gasket that sets apart the oil pan from the engine block.
If the oil pan or gasket is damaged it can cause an oil leak. These components are placed under the engine and can be damaged by road debris. Too much wear and tear can also loosen or damage the oil pan, which results in an oil leak.
Worn Valve Cover Gasket
Most of the car’s engine may have one or more valve gaskets that create a seal between the valve cover cylinder head and the cover on top of the engine. If over time the valve that covers the gasket becomes worn, it could fail to keep the oil and start leaking.
Over time the valve cover gasket hardens and starts developing cracks, which can also cause oil leakage. If oil leaks from the top of the engine, it may be a problem with the valve cover gasket. On average, the valve cover gasket lasts between 25,000 to 50,000 miles before needing to be replaced.
Loose Drain Plug
If your car drain plug is loose it can become a cause of leaking oil. Drain plugs are attached to the oil pan allowing oil to drain from the engine. If the drain plug becomes loose, the collected oil will start leaking.
If you notice the oil leaking underneath the drain plug, this component may be causing the leak. If you notice leaking oil after you change the oil, it can be caused because the drain plug is loose.
Faulty Oil Filter
The oil filters are responsible for cleaning the engine oil and staying clean by filtering out debris and other pollutants. Over some time, if filters are not replaced it can build up pressure which can cause them to rupture and leak. Fitting the wrong oil filter or failing to replace it for a longer time can be the cause of oil leaks.
Just like a loose drain plug, a damaged oil filter may become obvious after a recent oil change. Always check if the oil filter is correctly installed and sealed to avoid an oil leak.
How To Find If Your Car Is Leaking Oil?
There are different ways to check if your car engine is leaking oil. Look for a greasy brown fluid, usually dripping directly underneath the engine. Depending on the condition of the leak, you may see a few drip oil leaks.
Oftentimes, the shielding underneath your car stops the oil and collects it before it starts to spill, which can hide an oil leak. Some drivers get a notification of “check engine oil” on their car dashboard. This warning appears when the car engine has a low oil level which can also maybe a sign of a leak.
There are some other signs of oil leaks like smoke coming from the engine, a burning smell that occurs when the oil leaks and when oil contact with the hot engine components. If you open your car bonnet, you will notice the oil is spearing all over the engine, this could be because of an oil leak.
Can You Drive If Your Car Oil is Leaking?
If you notice an oil leak, it is a more serious problem and you need to do something about it. As the oil continues to leak, over time oil will be finished and it could damage the car engine. If you have a single car and you need to go somewhere then drive your car only 10 miles or less.
It’s important to book a service appointment as soon as possible if you notice an oil leak so that you can diagnose the issue and get it fixed.
How To Prevent Your Car From Leaking Oil?
If your are is working fine but you are worried about oil leaks, you can take some simple steps to prevent oil leaks. As you may heard prevention is better than cure. The easiest and most obvious way to prevent an oil leak is to change the oil in your car’s engine according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
If you don’t know the oil change interval of your car, you check your owner’s manual to know the detailed instructions. Nowadays, most vehicles can last 7,000 to 10,000 miles between oil changes. You should change your car engine oil at least once a year so that your car can perform smoothly.
Oil change can be done during car servicing and if you regularly service your car, there is less chance of oil leaks. If you regularly perform service of your car chances of getting a pass in the mot will be higher.
