That spot under your car is never a welcome sight, yet one that we have all had the joy to experience at one or another during our lives. The first question is what is it? It could be oil, transmission fluid, gear oil, coolant, the list goes on. Either way we both know that it needs to be addressed before it becomes a bigger problem.
Let’s just say it’s an oil leak. We can discuss the other fluids and where they leak from another day. Where is this oil leak coming from? Most likely a worn-out gasket or seal. That is the most common place for an oil leak to start, and like most things in life one day are not there and the next they are. Sometimes they start slow and other times they just want to leak.
Any oil leak is bad, engine oil is vital to keeping your engine running smoothly and if it has a leak that means that it may not have enough. Let’s start from the top of the engine and work our way down. The topmost gasket on your engine is your valve cover gasket. When this gasket leaks it will cause other gaskets to look like they are leaking since it is dripping down the side of your engine. This one unless leaking heavily will take longer to get to the ground. This gasket should be replaced if it is leaking, then the engine block cleaned to make sure you have no other leaks.
Your oil pan gasket is on the bottom of the engine, it will cause a leak directly onto the ground. You oil pan holds engine oil and the gasket seals the pan to the bottom of the engine. If this is leaking it can cause a mess and should be replaced.
Your rear main seal is located on the back of the engine where your engine and transmission meet. When it starts to leak we will see it once the vehicle is up in the air on the lift and you can spot it because it’s between the engine and transmission.
Depending on your engine you might have a few on the front of the engine as well.
No matter what an oil leak is not favorable and needs to be addressed before it becomes a bigger issue. Give us a call and let us take care of you.
Happy Adventures,
Heather
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