A leaky engine is one of the most common and most irritating issues that tend to pop up for drivers. An oil leak can happen at any time regardless of things like weather or the age of the vehicle. Checking for oil leaks is something that you should do regularly, even if you have no reason to believe there may be one. Even a small leak can go unnoticed for a long time until it grows into something much more serious. It’s simply best to be safe and eliminate that possibility.
An oil leak is usually found under the front half of the car, where the engine sits. A bad leak will be noticeable just by getting down on the ground and looking under. For something smaller, you may need to get up close. Oil is pretty easy to identify. It is very thick and either brown or black. It has a certain smell that is not quite like other vehicle fluids. You will have a good idea if it’s an oil leak based on sight and smell.
An oil leak usually comes from the valves or the oil pan. Any number of things can be the cause of an oil leak. It can happen even on newer cars without warning. Oil is essential to your engine’s ability to run smoothly and it can become an expensive problem if not dealt with right away. New cars should be covered by warranty for a random oil leak.
Once you are certain that you have an oil leak, check the dipstick. Check it like you would any other time and take note of how empty it is. This will give you an indication of how fast the oil is leaking and how bad your problem really is. A very slow leak still needs to be dealt with but it gives you more time to call your mechanic without severe worry. If you have a massive leak, call them and tell them. It may have to be towed in the worst case scenario.
If you can’t see where the leak is coming from you may have to take some further measures to pinpoint it. Never just assume that you know the exact spot and start trying to fix it. You can waste time and money this way. You need to know where the leak really is. This means getting a little down and dirty but it will be worth it when you can get to the root of the problem.
Try cleaning the engine with a good, safe engine cleaner. Washing away other dirt and grime might make it easier to see where the oil is coming out. If you still can’t find the leak, drive the car up on to safe lifts, like the ones used by mechanics or for at home oil changes. A jack is ok for lifting but you should never get under a car only secured by a jack. Safety should always come first. If you can’t get the car safely lifted, have a mechanic do it. Check for oil leaks as soon as you suspect them to avoid potential vehicle failure.
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