Reasons for and Prevention of Oil Leak in Cars

Routine auto maintenance sometimes escapes us—it could be a matter of money, or not having enough free time. However, oil maintenance and care is perhaps one of the most important, routine auto care tasks that shouldn’t go overlooked. The oil in your engine is critical to the overall health of your vehicle. When our motor oil isn’t clean and free-flowing through the engine, it can cause other serious problems, creating expensive and detrimental issues that can keep our car from running all together. Oil leaks are one of the more troubling symptoms of oil trouble, and it helps to have a basic understanding of how to recognize and address these issues. Here are some of the possible reasons for an oil leak and how to fix them.

Corroded or Damaged Seals

The oil pan keeps oil from leaking with multiple parts, such as the oil gasket. The valve cover gasket and oil seals keep oil contained in the engine and keep it flowing through the necessary parts. When the oil gasket or seals are damaged or corroded, it can spring a leak. These issues are relatively easy to fix, given that you bring your car to the right automotive shop who won’t gouge you on pricing.

Damaged Oil Pan

Oil pans can become damaged in a number of ways. Perhaps one of the most common instances of oil pan damage is when we accidentally run over a piece of debris in the road that can puncture it, causing a leak. When the oil pan becomes punctured, the gasket that seals the oil in becomes useless. This often results in the need for a new oil pan, depending on the level of damage that is caused.

Over-Filled Oil

Regular oil changes are great, but sometimes when oil is changed it can be filled improperly. When your oil is over-filled, it can cause spills or leaks quite easily. The recommended oil level should be clearly marked, and you should always be sure to consult a professional if attempting to change your oil yourself. Over-filled oil can leak, causing concerning smoke while driving or stains in your driveway.

Regularly Change Oil & Filter

One of the best ways to prevent oil leaks is to have the oil routinely changed, along with the oil filter. Having clean oil is essential to your engine’s health and functioning, and routine oil and filter changes give your automotive specialist an opportunity to inspect the quality of your oil and replace it with clean oil before dirt and debris causes harmful effects on your engine.

Use the Right Type of Oil

It is essential to make sure you’re using the right type of oil for your car’s engine. You can find this information in your owner’s manual—it will give manufacturer-recommended types of oil to use that are the proper viscosity for your vehicle’s particular engine. If you have your oil changed by an automotive professional, you should also check with them first to make sure they use the correct type of oil.

Have Routine Inspections

The symptoms of oil leaks can leave effects on other parts of your car, and signs of an oil leak may be evident in other areas first, before it may be time for an oil change. Routine inspections and tune-ups are a great way for automotive technicians to keep an eye on your car’s overall functioning.

Here at Euro Plus Automotive, we provide specialized automotive care for German and Japanese import vehicles in the areas of Canoga Park, Woodland Hills, San Fernando Valley, and the greater Los Angeles County, in California. We know that routine automotive care is not something that most people think of throughout the course of their daily lives, so we simplify the process the best we can for our clients. For over 30 years, we have continued to offer special financing, warrantees, and competitive pricing that make specialized automotive care available to everyone in the area. Our ASE certified automotive technicians are highly knowledgeable about the common issues that affect German and Japanese imports, and are skilled at accurately diagnosing and fixing issues—no problem is too simple or too difficult. If you would like to schedule an oil change, an inspection, or a consultation with our team of experts, contact us today.