Oil Leaking From Car: The Threats and Solutions
Finding a puddle of fluid under the vehicle is an ominous sign for every driver. Oil is essential for an automobile’s mechanism as it keeps the engine running properly. It increases the lifespan of the components by reducing corrosion and friction between moving parts. So, a black puddle means oil leaking from car, which could be the reason for many serious problems.
The Hazards of Oil Leaking
It is a problem that you should not ignore or leave alone. The risks it may cause are:
- Wearing out the rubber hoses and seals prematurely.
- Creating a fire hazard if you keep driving with a leak.
- Wearing out the engine and failing it prematurely if the issue is not promptly resolved.
If you suspect a leak, measure the oil level to be sure about it. Besides, you will get weird smells and the color of the fume coming out of the exhaust pipe will be different. Check the following part to know how to repair the problem because it’s a potential risk for car accidents and injury to you and other passengers.
Oil Leaking From Car: How To Know
As soon as you saw unusual fluid appearing under the car, many drivers immediately confirmed that the car was leaking oil. But this assumption is sometimes not correct. You need to rely on the color of the leaking fluid to accurately identify the car’s problem:
- Green or pink and not slippery to the touch: it may be coolant.
- If the oil that flows out is light yellow: engine oil.
- Transparent or light yellow and has a high shine: brake fluid.
- The oil is red and feels slippery to the touch, it could be transmission or power steering oil.
If car oil leaks, the liquid will be cockroach brown in color. Along with that, there are some other signs such as the car emitting black smoke, and smells of burning oil,…
Once you know the leaking fluid is viscous through the initial signs, next, you need to find the cause to fix it promptly.
Why Is Oil Leaking From My Car?
Here are some common reasons why oil leaks in cars:
- Rubber gaskets are going bad: Rubber gaskets are responsible for sealing the connection points between the lid and the machine wall. After about 100,000 km, the gasket will show signs of aging and stiffness. This causes the engine cover to not be tightly closed and causes car oil to leak out.
- Damaged seal: During operation, the oil seal must constantly be affected by pressure and temperature differences. Therefore, when the car has been running for a while, this part will degenerate and crack. The lubricant will then leak out through the cracks.
- Loose bolts: Over time, bolts and screws will tend to gradually loosen. When the gap between the joints is large enough, it will cause engine oil to easily leak out.
How to Fix the Oil Leaking From Car
If you don’t have any experience fixing car issues, it’d be better to take the automobile to a servicing shop. But, if you love to get your hands dirty, try these following tips:
Replace the broken gasket or worn-out seals
The engine has various components and shafts. Every joining of the different parts has a gasket to keep the oil inside the engine while each shaft has an oil seal around it. The more you drive, the more the engine parts move, the shafts rotate, the temperature drops to below the freezing point and then suddenly rises to hundreds of degrees. These things combined work in deteriorating the sealant and gaskets. The oil starts leaking slowly, but soon the hole becomes bigger enough to create a puddle.
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New seals and gaskets don’t cost much but replacing them is time-consuming because you may need to unbolt or remove many components to reach the damaged ones. If you think it is too much work, contact a professional mechanic.
Use an engine oil leak sealant
If the leak is tiny, a good-quality engine oil leak sealant can work like magic! It is a kind of liquid that you have to mix with the engine oil. It closes the leak from inside out and works as a conditioner for the joint seal and gasket and brings these to their original shape. Due to its liquefied state, it does not clog any passage.
Here’s how you can both find oil leaks on your car, and then fix them
Tighten the loose bolts
Sometimes, loose bolts are the reason for the oil leaking from car. It’s a common problem as nuts and joints tend to become loose over time. The solution is to tighten them with a torque wrench. However, different car models have different specifications for the pattern and tolerance to be used for pulling the bolts tight. So, check the owner’s manual and know the requirements.
Thank you for sharing such a nice article along with a useful video. Leakage of engine oil could influence the performance of the vehicle in a very negative way. Engine oil acts as a lubricant which reduces friction among adjacent components of the engine and ensures smoother performance. However, lack of engine oil increases friction among adjacent components of the engine which could lead to the breakdown of the engine. So, the quality and quantity of engine oil should be inspected properly at a regular interval and if necessary should be replaced with suitable substitutes.