Posted February 1, 2017 by Ali's Woodinville
Not many things are more stressful than finding strange oil spots under your parked car. They can come from many places on the vehicle, but no matter where the oil is leaking or dripping from, it’s a problem that needs to be fixed. All cars develop leaks in a few typical areas, and if they aren’t taken care of in a reasonable amount of time, they can truly threaten the engine or the entire vehicle’s operation.
Oil Leaks and the Environment
Another result of letting oil leaks go is the impact on our environment. The Pacific Northwest is known for its many beautiful lakes, rivers and streams. Small oil leaks from cars and trucks are one of the biggest contributors to oil pollution in our oceans and waterways. A National Geographic article, “3 Surprising Sources of Oil Pollution in the Ocean,” highlights how cars drip oil onto concrete and asphalt from small leaks. There’s much less irresponsible dumping of used oil into drains than there used to be (which is a huge no-no), but as the article puts it, there are “a lot of cars and trucks contributing to the ‘dribble, dribble, dribble’ effect of slow leaks that end up on asphalt and contribute to runoff pollution.”
Here in the Northwest, our rain washes those drips off driveways and parking lots and into storm drains, and many storm drains flow to local creeks and lakes with little or no treatment. Around Woodinville, that runoff ends up in waters like the Sammamish River and Bear Creek, where salmon still return every year.
Is It Oil, or Something Else?
Before you worry, it helps to know what you’re looking at. Slide a piece of white cardboard under the engine overnight and check the color of any drips in the morning:
- Brown or black and slick: most likely motor oil.
- Red or pinkish: often transmission fluid, or power steering fluid on some cars.
- Green, orange or pink with a sweet smell: coolant. Clean it up and keep pets away from it, since it’s toxic.
- Clear to light yellow near a wheel: possibly brake fluid. Don’t drive the car until it’s checked.
- Clear water under the front of the cabin: usually just condensation from the air conditioning, which is normal.
What Could Be Wrong?
You may ask, “What could be wrong with my car, and what should be done about my car’s oil leaks?” As usual, we recommend finding a mechanic you can trust (like Ali’s Woodinville Auto Repair, of course) and having them examine all of the typical problem areas for oil leaks. So you can have some peace of mind, here are the most likely ones that will come up:
- Valve cover gasket. This is the most common cause of oil leaks. Older and higher-mileage vehicles are especially likely to have trouble with this seal, which joins large sections of your engine. Over time it can fail from age, heat, sludge buildup and increased pressure.
- Oil filler cap missing or loose. You can check whether the cap is missing altogether with a simple look under the hood, but it may not be so easy to tell if it isn’t sealing and is leaking while the car runs. Luckily, this is a small and very inexpensive problem.
- Oil drain plug. The drain plug is at the bottom of the oil pan. The plug or its washer can wear, and the result is pretty easy to spot if this is the culprit.
- Oil filter. A filter that’s loose, damaged, or installed with the old gasket still stuck in place will leak, often right after an oil change. It’s an easy fix, but don’t ignore it.
- Oil pan gasket. The seal between the oil pan and the engine can harden and seep with age.
- Front and rear main seals. These seal the ends of the crankshaft. A leaking rear main seal shows up as oil where the engine meets the transmission, and it’s a bigger job because the transmission usually has to come out to reach it.
- Damage to the oil pan. It’s a little rarer, but the oil pan on the underside of your vehicle can be damaged and leak. This can happen if you run over something that dents the pan from underneath.
When Is an Oil Leak Urgent?
A slow seep that leaves a few spots a week can usually be scheduled, as long as you keep the oil level topped up in the meantime. Some leaks shouldn’t wait, though: a puddle rather than a few drops, an oil pressure warning light, or a burning-oil smell or smoke from under the hood. Oil dripping onto a hot exhaust manifold can smoke and, in rare cases, catch fire. And running an engine low on oil can wear it out quickly, turning an inexpensive gasket job into engine repair.
The Best Way to Handle Oil Leaks
The best way to handle leaks and protect your car, your wallet and the environment is always going to be regular maintenance for your car or truck. Get your oil changed on time, too. Every oil change gives a trusted mechanic another chance to spot potential problems while they can still be taken care of at low cost and with the least hassle.
Take care, and if you’re local, we’d love to see you at Ali’s Woodinville Auto Repair for oil changes, oil leaks or any auto service or repair need.
Call 425-420-1630 or request an appointment, and we’ll find where that oil is coming from.
