You might notice the familiar scent of hot engine oil lingering faintly in the air, even when it’s usually masked by exhaust fumes and road dust. Perhaps you’ll notice some dark spots around where your car is usually parked, as well. Could it be an oil leak? Open the hood, and you would notice the smell of warm metal. Even if you don’t see oil pouring out, a dark and shiny spot on the engine where it shouldn’t be can be a sign of trouble. It’s best not to ignore it. Grab a flashlight and take a closer look. If you’ve ever wondered where that little drip is coming from, this short guide will help you find the leak and keep your engine safe.
Fact: The main cause of leaks in the engines of older vehicles is the excess buildup of sludge, leading to damaged gasket. Sludge is a thick, gooey substance that forms inside the engine over time due to excessive heat and metal wear. Sludge buildup can lead to increased engine pressure and cause leaks. A good quality engine oil helps avoid sludge and keeps your engine healthy.
Choosing the right brand of engine oil can go a long way in terms of sludge prevention. For instance, the Divyol Engine Oil Range is known for smooth engine performance and preventing sludge formation.
What Causes an Oil Leak
Many components work together in an engine, and any of these components malfunctioning can cause issues like oil leaks. Here are some of the most common sources that are known to cause oil leaks:
1. Over-revving the Engine
Pushing your car’s RPM too high, especially on Mumbai’s busy roads, stresses seals and gaskets. Over time, they fatigue and let oil seep out.
2. Skipping Oil and Filter Changes
Dirty oil loses its protective qualities, turning into sludge that clogs passages. Skipping service lets pressure build and forces oil past weak seals.
3. Neglecting the Air Filter
A clogged air filter upsets combustion and raises crankcase pressure, pushing oil through valve-cover gaskets. Change the filter before a Delhi dust storm hits.
4. Using Too Thin an Oil
Using a lighter oil than your owner’s manual recommends thins the film that seals gaps. Thin oil slips past tight joints and leaks, especially in hot Indian summers.
5. Not Warming Up the Engine
Cold mornings in Shimla can leave oil sluggish. If you rev too soon, oil hasn’t coated seals fully, causing tiny leaks that grow over time.
6. Damaged Engine Parts
Bent cylinder heads or a dented oil pan can’t seal properly, leaving gaps for oil to escape. Regular checks after Pune’s pothole runs help spot damage early.
7. Worn-Out Seals and Gaskets
Rubber seals harden with heat cycles and age, shrinking away from mating surfaces. Replacing old gaskets during your next service keeps oil where it belongs.
What Kind of Issues Can an Oil Leak Cause?
An engine oil leak could lead to many problems in your vehicle, some of which could be irreparable damage. It can be to the engine components or other internal parts of the vehicle that the engine connects to, such as rubber hoses. Typically, the consequence of an engine oil leak is the wear down of the internal engine components earlier than expected.
- Overheating: When oil is low, the engine can’t shed heat as well. Parts get hotter than they should and may warp or fail.
- Faster Wear: Oil keeps metal parts from grinding together. If it’s too low, bearings and shafts wear out sooner.
- Clogs from Sludge: Old or dirty oil turns thick and gummy. Sludge blocks tiny passages and starves parts of fresh oil.
- Stalling or Seizing: The oil pump can suck in air if levels drop too far. That can make the engine sputter or stop, and in extreme cases lock up entirely.
- Piston and Cylinder Damage: Without enough oil, pistons and rings scrape against cylinder walls. Over time this scoring can crack a piston or damage the block.
How to Identify an Oil Leak in Cars
More often than not, it’s not obvious that your car’s engine is suffering from an oil leak. Here are some signs you’ll need to look out for to identify an oil leak.
Check your car’s underbelly
It will involve looking for accumulated dust and sludge at the underside of your car. This buildup can be a sign of an oil leak. To detect the exact area of oil leakage, do the following:
- Clean the area you suspect. It could be a pipe, a hose, or a fitting
- Start the engine and gently press the accelerator to build pressure
- Once pressure is up, release the pedal.
- If there’s a leak, fresh oil will appear where the problem exists.
Use Colour
Look at the colour of the oil that is leaking.
- If it is reddish, the leakage problem is likely to be caused by the power steering fluid, and look for the power steering reservoir.
- If the leaked oil is black, then it is engine oil.
Using the Dipstick
Park your car on level ground and let the engine rest for a few minutes. Open the bonnet, pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean with a cloth, then reinsert it fully and pull it out again. If the oil mark falls below the min line or drops faster than usual, you’ve confirmed a leak. This simple daily check can save you from bigger engine troubles down the road.
Use the Tracing Method
While you can use a professional UV kit to find the oil leakage source, there are simpler alternatives, too.
- Clean the leaking engine with the degreaser and water.
- Once properly cleaned, spray it with some talcum powder.
- Drive the car for a short distance
- Recheck the area. The leaking oil will create a clear trail in the powder.
This talcum powder trick can also be used to check an engine oil leak in bike.
Where to Check for an Oil Leak
Many components work together in an engine, and any of these components malfunctioning can cause issues like oil leaks. Here are some of the most common sources that are known to cause oil leaks:
- Oil Filter: Attached to the engine block, an overused, loosely fitted, or shabby oil filter can cause an oil leak. To avoid this, make sure to replace the oil filter during every oil change.
- Oil Seals: They are located at multiple points in the engine where two parts of the engine cover are sealed with each other. These seals may crack, harden, or dislodge with time, leading to leaks. In such cases, the oil leakage will be visibly noticeable near the oil seals. Replace the damaged seals to prevent it.
- Engine Gasket: It is located between the cylinder head and the engine block. The wear and tear can result in leakage and will stain the engine parts. It can be corrected by professional replacement of the damaged gaskets.
- Crankshaft seal: A damaged crankshaft seal may cause a small oil leak under the engine. If left unchecked, it can worsen, eventually leading to a larger leak at the front of the engine. Replace it promptly to avoid more serious issues.
- Valve Cover Gasket: It seals the area between the valve cover and the cylinder head. A worn out gasket tends to get cracked because of heat, resulting in oil dripping down the side of the engine. This can be fixed by replacing the damaged gasket.
- Oil Filler Caps/Dipstick: It seals the engine’s oil fill opening. A loosely fitted oil filler cap coupled with vehicle motion can result in leakage. Always ensure the cap is tightly secured.
- Oil Pan Gasket: It seals the oil pan and the engine block. Over time, it can wear out or crack, leading to oil seepage along the edge. Replace the gasket if you notice leaks in that area.
- Oil Drain Plug: It is located at the bottom of the oil pan and is used to drain old oil during an oil change. If the drain plug is loose, damaged, or its gasket is worn out, it can cause oil leaks. Always ensure the plug is properly tightened after an oil change, and replace the gasket if needed to prevent leaks.
- Oil Pan / Engine Sump: It is present at the bottom of the engine block and may get damaged due to speed breakers or bumps, thus leading to leakage. The oil leakage in such a case will be visible with the presence of an oil puddle under the vehicle. Inspect for damage and replace as needed.
- Radiator or Cooling System: Fluid pooling under the front of your car often means a leak in the radiator or cooling system. Check the radiator core, hoses, and connections for cracks or loose clamps.
Additional Signs Indicating Engine Oil Leakage
Some signs that indicate oil leakage are:
- Warning light in the oil pressure sensor
- Noisy engine with low performance
- Lower engine power
- Engine overheating
- Unpleasant burning smell
- Blue smoke or smoke from the front of the engine
- Knocking sound from the engine.
- A rapid drop in engine oil levels is usually indicated by the oil warning light on the dashboard.
How to Avoid Oil Leakage?
If your vehicle passed all the above-mentioned checks without indicating oil leakage, congratulations! However, the risk of an oil leak remains unless the vehicle is properly maintained. Here’s how you can avoid it:
- Check the vehicle’s manual to identify the right frequency for maintenance and inspection.
- Follow the manual for oil change frequency to ensure timely contaminant removal.
- Check the type of oil and its viscosity that is suitable for your vehicle along with the specific weather conditions.
Conclusion
A vehicle leaking oil is a significant problem requiring immediate attention. Not only does it lead to oil wastage, but it may also result in mechanical failure and damage to engine components. Accurate identification of the cause is essential. It is recommended to have a proactive approach and not ignore the warning signs. It is necessary to ensure regular maintenance and take appropriate measures.
Don’t wait for small leaks to become big problems, act early to protect your vehicle!