Finding a dark patch under your car can be worrying, especially when you don’t know where it came from. An engine oil leak might be something relatively simple, such as a worn gasket, or it could point to a more serious engine problem.
The easiest way to spot an oil leak is to look for fresh oil underneath the vehicle, check the engine oil level and pay attention to warning signs such as an oil smell, smoke or an illuminated oil-pressure warning light. The important thing is not to ignore the problem.
A small leak can gradually become worse. If the engine loses too much oil, it may not have enough lubrication to protect its internal components, potentially leading to expensive damage.
What Does an Engine Oil Leak Look Like?
Fresh engine oil is usually amber or golden brown when relatively new, but older oil becomes darker and can eventually look almost black.
If you notice a greasy or oily patch underneath the front or middle section of your vehicle, it could be engine oil. However, other vehicle fluids can also leave marks on the ground, so don’t automatically assume every fluid leak is engine oil.
You may notice:
- Dark brown or black spots underneath the car
- Wet or greasy areas around the engine
- Oil collecting on engine components
- A burning oil smell
- Smoke coming from the engine bay
- A gradually dropping oil level
The location and appearance of the fluid can help identify the source, but a proper inspection is needed to confirm it.
How Can You Tell If Your Car Is Leaking Oil?
One of the simplest checks is to look underneath the vehicle after it has been parked for a while.
You can place a piece of clean cardboard underneath the engine area before leaving the car overnight. The position and appearance of any spots can provide useful information about whether the vehicle is leaking and roughly where the fluid is coming from.
You can also check the engine oil level using the dipstick if your vehicle has one and the manufacturer’s instructions allow it.
If the oil level is noticeably lower than expected, don’t simply keep topping it up without investigating why. A loss of oil means there may be a leak or another mechanical issue that needs attention.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Engine Oil Leaks?
Engine oil leaks can develop for several reasons. Some are relatively minor, while others require more extensive repairs.
Common causes include:
- Worn or damaged gaskets
- Deteriorated oil seals
- A loose oil filter
- A damaged sump or oil pan
- A worn drain plug or seal
- Excessive engine pressure
- Age-related deterioration of seals
- Damage caused by road debris
Rubber seals and gaskets naturally deteriorate over time. Heat from the engine can accelerate this process, particularly in older vehicles.
The location of the leak is often the first clue to identifying which component needs attention.
Can a Loose Oil Filter Cause an Oil Leak?
Yes.
If an oil filter hasn’t been fitted correctly or its seal has been damaged, oil can escape around the filter housing.
This can happen after an oil change if the filter wasn’t tightened correctly or if an old sealing ring wasn’t removed before installing the new filter.
If you notice oil underneath your vehicle shortly after an oil change, it’s worth having the area inspected.
Don’t assume the leak will disappear on its own.
Can a Damaged Sump Cause an Oil Leak?
Yes. The engine sump, also called the oil pan on many vehicles, sits underneath the engine and can be vulnerable to impact.
Driving over rough roads, debris or other obstacles can potentially damage the sump, particularly on vehicles with low ground clearance.
A damaged sump can cause anything from a slow leak to a rapid loss of engine oil.
If you suspect the underside of the engine has been hit and you notice oil underneath the vehicle, don’t continue driving until the situation has been properly assessed.
What Does a Burning Oil Smell Mean?
A strong smell of burning oil can be a warning sign.
If leaking oil reaches a hot engine component, such as an exhaust manifold or another high-temperature surface, it can produce a noticeable burning smell.
You may also see smoke coming from the engine bay.
This isn’t something to ignore. Continuing to drive while oil is leaking onto hot components can create additional problems.
If you notice smoke or a strong burning smell, stop somewhere safe and have the vehicle inspected.
Can an Oil Leak Cause Smoke?
It can.
Oil leaking onto hot engine or exhaust components may produce smoke, particularly after the engine has reached operating temperature.
However, smoke can also come from other problems, so it shouldn’t be used as the only way to diagnose an oil leak.
If smoke is coming from the engine bay, switch the vehicle off when it is safe to do so and investigate the situation only when the engine and surrounding components have cooled sufficiently.
Never put yourself at risk trying to inspect a hot engine.
What Does the Oil Pressure Warning Light Mean?
The oil-pressure warning light should always be taken seriously.
It doesn’t simply mean that the vehicle needs an oil change. It can indicate that the engine’s oil pressure is too low, which may prevent critical components from receiving adequate lubrication.
If the oil-pressure warning light comes on while you’re driving, pull over somewhere safe and switch the engine off as soon as it is safe to do so.
Continuing to drive with low oil pressure can cause serious engine damage.
Check the owner’s manual for your vehicle’s specific instructions and seek professional assistance if the warning remains or the oil level is low.
Can You Drive a Car With an Oil Leak?
It depends on the severity and location of the leak, but driving with a significant oil leak is not recommended.
A very small seep may not require immediate recovery, but you still need to have it inspected before the problem becomes worse.
If the oil level is dropping quickly, there is a large pool of oil underneath the vehicle, the oil-pressure warning light is illuminated, or the engine is making unusual noises, don’t continue driving.
Arrange professional assistance instead.
A short trip to a workshop isn’t worth risking major engine damage.
How Do You Check the Engine Oil Level?
If your vehicle uses a traditional dipstick, park on a level surface and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for checking the oil.
Depending on the vehicle, you may need to allow the engine to cool or wait a certain amount of time after switching it off.
Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it fully and then remove it again to check the level against the marked range.
Don’t overfill the engine.
Some modern vehicles don’t have a traditional dipstick and instead display oil-level information electronically. In that case, follow the manufacturer’s procedure.
Can You Fix an Engine Oil Leak Yourself?
Some minor causes may be relatively straightforward to address, but properly fixing an oil leak usually requires identifying exactly where the oil is coming from first.
Simply adding more oil doesn’t fix the leak. It only replaces oil that has already been lost.
If the problem is a loose component, an experienced home mechanic may be able to address it. However, leaks involving gaskets, seals, the sump or other engine components can require more involved repairs.
If you’re unsure where the leak is coming from, have the vehicle inspected rather than replacing parts based on guesswork.
What Are the Common Ways to Repair an Oil Leak?
The repair depends entirely on the source.
A mechanic may need to:
- Replace a damaged gasket
- Replace an oil seal
- Tighten or replace an oil filter
- Replace a drain-plug seal
- Repair or replace a damaged sump
- Replace a damaged component
- Address excessive engine pressure
- Clean the engine and monitor for the source of a slow leak
Some leaks can be repaired relatively quickly, while others require significant labour because the affected component is difficult to access.
A proper diagnosis should come before deciding on the repair.
Should You Use an Oil Leak Stop-Leak Product?
Products marketed as oil leak sealers may appear attractive because they’re an easy alternative to mechanical repairs.
However, they aren’t a reliable solution for every type of leak.
If a gasket, seal, sump or other component has physically failed, adding a chemical product doesn’t necessarily address the underlying problem.
It’s better to identify the source of the leak and repair the failed component appropriately.
If you’re considering a leak-stop product, check your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations and speak with a qualified mechanic first.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix an Oil Leak?
There isn’t one standard price because the repair depends on the cause.
A simple oil filter or seal issue may be relatively inexpensive, while replacing a difficult-to-access gasket can require considerably more labour.
The cost may depend on:
- The source of the leak
- Vehicle make and model
- Parts required
- Labour time
- Accessibility of the affected component
- Whether additional damage is present
Ask the mechanic to identify the source of the leak and provide an estimate before authorising significant repairs.
Can an Oil Leak Cause Engine Damage?
Yes, particularly if the engine loses a significant amount of oil.
Engine oil lubricates internal components and helps reduce friction and heat. If the oil level becomes dangerously low, components can experience increased wear.
In severe cases, insufficient lubrication can result in major engine damage.
This is why a small leak shouldn’t simply be ignored. It may start as a minor issue and gradually become much more serious.
Regularly checking the oil level can help you notice problems before they develop into major failures.
Can You Prevent Engine Oil Leaks?
You can’t prevent every oil leak, but regular maintenance can help reduce the risk of serious problems.
Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended servicing schedule and use the correct engine oil.
During servicing, ask for the vehicle to be checked for signs of leaks around the engine and underneath the car.
It’s also worth paying attention to changes in oil level between services. If you need to add oil more frequently than usual, there may be an underlying problem.
Catching a leak early is generally easier than dealing with a major oil-related engine failure later.
What Should You Do If You Find Oil Under Your Car?
Don’t panic, but don’t ignore it either.
First, check whether the fluid actually appears to be engine oil. Look for its colour, texture and location, but remember that several vehicle fluids can look similar.
Check the engine oil level if it is safe and appropriate to do so.
If the leak appears significant, the oil level is very low, the vehicle is producing smoke or the oil-pressure warning light is on, don’t drive it.
Arrange professional assistance and have the vehicle inspected.
When Should You Call for a Tow?
A tow may be the safest option when the vehicle has a serious oil leak or shows signs of possible engine damage.
Consider arranging vehicle transport if:
- The oil-pressure warning light is on
- The engine is making unusual knocking or grinding noises
- Oil is leaking rapidly
- There is a large pool of oil underneath the vehicle
- Smoke is coming from the engine bay
- The engine has overheated
- The oil level is dangerously low
- You’re unsure whether the vehicle is safe to drive
Driving a vehicle with a serious oil problem can turn a repairable issue into major engine damage.
Don’t Ignore the First Signs of an Oil Leak
An oil leak is one of those vehicle problems that’s easy to put off, especially when the car still seems to drive normally. But that small patch under the engine could be an early warning of a problem that becomes much more expensive if left unattended.
Check your oil level, pay attention to warning lights, smells and smoke, and have unexplained leaks inspected promptly. If the vehicle isn’t safe to drive, don’t take the risk just to get it to a workshop.
A little attention early can help protect the engine and save you from a much bigger repair bill later.
If you are in Box Hill, and looking for a nearby tow truck service, this is the best way to visit us.
Richmond Tow Trucks
123 Bridge Rd, Richmond VIC 3121
0485 856 565
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