An oil leak isn't just an inconvenience; it could be an indicator of bigger problems yet to come up.

Whether yous want to address an oil leak yourself or rely on the Clearfield auto repair services at Master Muffler, don't put off the maintenance!

Why is My Car Leaking Oil?

Unfortunately, there's more than one place from which your vehicle could be leaking oil. While you may not immediately exist able to locate the source, y'all should be able to somewhen nail it downwardly via the process of elimination. Your vehicle could be leaking for any of the following reasons:

  • Faulty Engine Gasket
  • Oil Pan Leak
  • Faulty Seals
  • Bad Oil Filter
  • Break in the Line

Once you're underneath your car, you tin can visually inspect for bug with the oil pan plug and seals. Also be sure to wait at the timing comprehend seal, the oil filter, and the oil cap. If anything isn't continued properly, information technology could exist the cause of your leak.

Fix information technology Yourself

Let's say you've successfully identified the cause of the leak. If you want, you can attempt this car repair project yourself without too much problem. Hither'due south what yous'll demand:

  • Level workspace
  • Car jack
  • Jack stands
  • Torque wrench
  • Oil additives

Keep it Tight

When your car is raised for ameliorate access to the oil pan under the engine, you tin can slide under and address any loose parts, including the drain plug. Pay attention to the bolts of the oil pan, the timing belt embrace, and all the valves. Your owner's manual will have recommendations on any pattern you need to follow when tightening bolts.

Freshen the Filter

If your oil filter gets clogged, the pressure level build-upwards can cause a leak. Additionally, if the filter has loosened in its place, the oil can more hands escape the line, resulting in leaks. Ensure that your filter is deeply fitted in your engine and that it is replaced every 3,000 to 6,000 miles (or when you get your scheduled oil change).

Don't Accident a Gasket

Gaskets are prophylactic seals throughout your vehicle's engine. Due to farthermost pressure and heat under the hood, they tend to vesture out between 20,000 and 50,000 miles. If your machine smokes from the engine when you bulldoze, yous might have a leaky gasket. Likewise, if you lot notice cracks in whatever of your gaskets while doing a visual inspection of a cold engine, replace them and meet if that helps finish your oil leak.

Stop Leak Additive

If the leak is in the oil pan, y'all tin sometimes solve the problem past adding stop leak additive to your vehicle's oil. It'south a production that can bring new life to the rubber seals around your oil pan and the plug; the additives condition the condom over fourth dimension and assist put an end to leaks. Using an additive should not be your first choice for fixing a leak, equally it can take upwards to 100 miles for the condiment to do its job.

In one case you've fixed the leak, it's time to top off the oil and become for a test drive. Watch for that pesky Check Engine low-cal, fume nether the hood, or any hereafter stains where you park.

Take it to a Mechanic

If you don't want to get your easily dirty or devote a weekend to addressing an oil leak, bring your vehicle to our Clearfield car repair experts. Master Muffler offers the following services and more than:

  • Oil Changes
  • Engine Melody-Ups
  • Engine Repair
  • Emissions Testing

All of the higher up can get an actress set of optics on your vehicle's engine, checking for possible leaks to help avoid futurity harm.

Cleaning Oil Stains Off Concrete

Whether you've fixed the leak yourself or taken your vehicle to the Clearfield car repair team at Master Muffler, at present it'southward time to bargain with the unsightly stains left backside. Your garage or driveway may at present be marked with night oil puddles, which don't have to exist an eyesore for long.

Kitty Litter

If your oil stain is still pretty fresh, y'all tin absorb excess oil from the puddle using kitty litter. Simply pour it on top of the stain and wait for the litter to soak upwardly the oil. Scoop away any litter y'all employ and dispose of it properly.

Homemade Oil Remover

Baking soda and h2o combine to make a powerful stain remover. Using a stiff brush, scrub your oil stain with a thick paste of blistering soda and water. Y'all can allow the homemade oil remover mixture sit for up to half an 60 minutes later scrubbing, and then rinse it away with the hose.

If the baking soda doesn't do the trick, y'all can tackle the stain again with household dish soap. A brand like Dawn is well-known to fight grease, then pour some direct on your oil stain and get scrubbing.

Commercial Physical Cleaners

If household products don't eliminate your oily stains, you tin purchase more than concentrated commercial cleaners to get the chore done. Many big box stores such equally Home Depot sell Goof Off products that are designed to clean physical.

No matter what you employ, be certain to habiliment proper protective gear to avoid irritating your peel or eyes while cleaning.