Oil Leaks

Should you worry if your car had developed an oil leak? Yes. Oil is a vital part of your engine. It lubricates, reduces corrosion, keeps the engine cool, and helps to cut down on the wear and tear of the moving parts. If you notice that your vehicle is leaking oil, you should get it checked out as soon as possible. If you need a reliable and honest mechanic, contact the professionals at Hansma Automotive today. We are oil leak experts and you can trust us to fix your leak quickly, expertly, and inexpensively.

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Why You Shouldn't Ignore An Oil Leak

An oil leak may be an easy fix, but if you ignore it, you could end up damaging your engine. Inside your engine, the oil operates in a closed loop system, which means that oil should not be escaping. If you notice a significant drop in your oil level, then there is a problem.  According to GoldEagle.com, it is always wise to find out why your oil is leaking and deal with it as soon as possible so that it doesn't become a major problem.

Leaking oil:

  • Can drip onto rubber hoses or seals and cause them to deteriorate
  • Can cause stains on your driveway
  • Can be an environmental hazard
  • Can be a fire risk in your engine compartment
  • Can cause engine failure

How Can I Check For Engine Oil Leaks?

1. Watch Your Dip Stick:

Keep track of your oil levels showing on your dip stick. If the oil level drops over time, then you are losing oil.

2. Watch For Blue Smoke:

If you notice blue smoke coming out of your tail pipe while you are driving, then oil might be leaking into the engine itself.

3. Take A Sniff:

After you have driven your car, take a sniff. If you smell burning oil then this might be an indication that oil is leaking onto the hot parts of the engine itself.

4. Look Under The Engine:

After your vehicle has been sitting for a while, take a look under the engine for any stains or puddles on the driveway. If the liquid is red then it is probably transmission fluid. If it is green or orange and smells sweet, then it is coolant. However, if the liquid is brown then it is probably an engine oil leak.

5. Look for White or Grey Exhaust Smoke:

If you notice white or grey exhaust smoke or if your acceleration is slower then you may have worn piston rings which are allowing oil to seep out.

What Causes Oil Leaks?

There are several different possible causes of an oil leak in your vehicle. These include:

  • Leaking or Worn Oil Pan Gaskets: As your gaskets get older they may shrink and fail, allowing oil to escape.

  • Worn Piston Rings: If your piston rings are damaged or worn your oil levels will drop because they help to control the oil pressure in your vehicle.

  • Faulty Worn Valve Guides: According to YourMechanic.com, if your valve guides become cracked, worn, or broken, your engine will suck oil down the guides and dump it into the cylinder. This will take oil away from the lubrication system and your oil levels will drop.

  • Wrong Type of Oil: Lower viscosity synthetic oils are thinner and can leak past rings and seals on valve guides. This can cause an oil leak. You shouldn't use a synthetic oil when you are breaking in a new engine.

  • Improperly Sealed Piston Rings: If your piston rings were not seated or sealed properly, then oil can leak out of them. The engine will have to be rebuilt to fix this problem

  • An Overfilled Crankcase: If your crankcase has been overfilled with too much oil, the excess may leak out.
  • Oil Pan Leaks

What Our Oil Leak Check Involves

If you think that you have an oil leak, bring your vehicle to Hansma Automotive. We will:

  • Inspect your car for oil leaks.
  • Verify that the correct type of oil is used.
  • Check to see if the oil level warning light is operating as it should.
  • Inspect the related engine components such as the valve guides, piston rings, and more.

Sources
Is It Safe To Drive With An Oil Leak?
Engine Oil Leaks
Oil Leak Causes and How To Fix Them