Common Engine Oil Leak Causes | AAMCO Minnesota

• Find a Location

Common Engine Oil Leak Causes

Sep 10, 2020 | Blog, Engine, How-To Tips & Tricks, Oil Change, Practical Information & Advice

One of the most common and frustrating issues for car owners is an oil leak. They can be tough to find and when they go un-repaired, they can cause major problems for your car’s engine. When you have an auto oil leak, what are some of the most common causes? And how can you easily spot that you have car oil leaking? There are a number of ways to keep an eye on your engine oil, as well as key parts where a mechanic will start their search for an oil leak.

Related: Top 5 Oil FAQs Related: Spark Plugs 101 Related: What Happens If You Skip An Oil Change?

Search for:

Recent Posts

Recent Posts

• 5 Services Your Car May Need Now
• When To Replace Your Car’s Air Filter
• Why Won’t My Car Start?
• Don’t Wait! Top 4 Minnesota Road Trip Destinations
• Your Serpentine Belt – What Is It & What Does It Do?

Categories

• Battery
• Blog
• Brakes
• Check Engine
• Electrical System
• Engine
• Exhaust System
• Home
• How-To Tips & Tricks
• Oil Change
• Practical Information & Advice
• Services
• Steering & Suspension
• Tools & Tips
• Total Car Care
• Transmission Repair
• Trending
• Uncategorized

Book Online

How Can You Check for an Oil Leak?

Luckily, your engine oil is one of the easier parts of your car to keep an eye on. There are a couple of key ways in which you spot an oil leak before it escalates and causes bigger problems for your car’s engine. Working on these habits can save you a lot of money down the road.

Start by Checking Your Engine Oil Dipstick

If you’ve ever had trouble with oil leaks in the past, you probably understand how easy it is to check the level of your engine oil. All cars will have a dipstick that can be used to see how much oil you have.

When your car isn’t running, pop the hood and look for a cap with what looks like an oil can on it. Near that, there should be a handle you can pull out, revealing a long, flat strip of metal. Use some paper towels to clean off any oil already on the dipstick and reinsert it. When you pull it out again, you should be able to see whether your oil is low using lines marked on the dipstick. If your oil level is low, it’s possible an oil leak is to blame.

Look for Spots on the Ground from Oil Drips

A surefire way to tell if you have an oil leak is to look for spots under your car where engine oil has dripped onto the ground. These spots will likely be under the front end of your car and should be brown-ish in color. Depending on the type and color of the surface on which you park, it can be difficult to tell much about the fluid leaking from your car but engine oil is the most common.

What Could be Causing Your Oil Leak?

Now you know you have an oil leak – which parts are likely to have a problem? Your engine is a sealed system, so any leaks should be addressed as soon as possible. Some are easier repairs than others but here are a few of the most common causes of a car oil leak.

Your Oil Filter is Worn or Not Aligned

A good rule of thumb is to have your oil filter replaced every time you get an oil change. Over time, they’ll wear out and accumulate extra sludge and debris, just as your engine oil does. Your oil filter can also come out of alignment or, if you recently had your oil changed, your new oil filter could have been aligned improperly when it was replaced.

A Bad Oil Drain Plug

When you get an oil change, the oil drain plug will be removed so that all of the old engine oil will drain out of your car. Over time, this plug can wear out – or it can be loose or misaligned after a recent oil change. This is a pretty common cause for oil leaks, as well as a very simple one to fix. It’s still a good idea to get it fixed as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

The Valve Gasket is Worn

Because your engine is a closed system, all of the seals and gaskets are important to keep in good condition. Over time, they’ll wear out from use and temperature exposure, as well as the buildup of sludge from engine oil. As the pressure in your engine increases, it can cause the gaskets to leak. If not addressed soon enough, the gaskets may break, resulting in major engine repairs.

Damage to Your Oil Pan

While driving, especially in rough winter weather or while off-roading where the underside of your car is more likely to get knocked, your oil pan may get hit. This can lead to an oil leak from either a hole in your oil pan or a dent that has caused a misalignment with your oil drain plug.

Need an Oil Leak Repair? Call AAMCO Minnesota Today!

Seeing spots under your car or notice your oil level is low? At AAMCO Minnesota, our trained mechanics are ready to help make a difference. Each of our locations is open, ready, staying clean, and providing for our local communities in need. Whether you need an oil change or an oil leak repair service, our mechanics have you covered. We’ll diagnose and fix any car problem you encounter so you can feel safe on the road again.

More from our Blog

Do You Have a Bad Torque Converter or a Bad Transmission?

Modern automatic transmission cars do most of the work for you. Whether you’re cruising down the highway or winding through city streets, you don’t have to worry about shifting gears as you speed up and slow down in an automatic transmission vehicle. This is because...

read more

Minnesota Car Inspection & What to Expect

You’ve been told you should schedule a vehicle inspection – but what are you getting into? A car inspection is a great way for your mechanic to get an understanding of your car’s overall condition and any services essential car systems may need. Whether it’s a car you...

read more

Minnesota Road Trip Destinations

Are you itching to hit the open road? Luckily you don’t have to drive too far to enjoy a scenic drive and take in the sights. Minnesota offers several beautiful road trip destinations to make over a weekend – or longer. Let winding roads, shorelines, state parks, and...

read more

Do You Have a Bad Torque Converter or a Bad Transmission?

Modern automatic transmission cars do most of the work for you. Whether you’re cruising down the highway or winding through city streets, you don’t have to worry about shifting gears as you speed up and slow down in an automatic transmission vehicle. This is because...

read more

Minnesota Car Inspection & What to Expect

You’ve been told you should schedule a vehicle inspection – but what are you getting into? A car inspection is a great way for your mechanic to get an understanding of your car’s overall condition and any services essential car systems may need. Whether it’s a car you...

read more

Minnesota Road Trip Destinations

Are you itching to hit the open road? Luckily you don’t have to drive too far to enjoy a scenic drive and take in the sights. Minnesota offers several beautiful road trip destinations to make over a weekend – or longer. Let winding roads, shorelines, state parks, and...

read more

Are You Making These Transmission Mistakes?

Even decade-long drivers have some mistakes they make when it comes to their car and driving habits. If any of these sound familiar or you’ve caught yourself doing them over the years, don’t feel bad – but they could be impacting your car’s transmission. All of your...

read more

Schedule An Appointment

 

Find Your Local Minnesota AAMCO

Call your nearest location today.

Each AAMCO Minnesota Transmission & Auto Repair Shop is independently owned and operated. Looking for transmission repair services in the Minnesota Twin Cities area?

 

Navigate our Blog

Search for:

Recent Posts

[display-posts posts_per_page=”5″]

Categories

• AAMCO Diagnostics Center
• Air Conditioning
• Blog
• Brakes
• Brakes, Tires, & Suspension
• Check Engine Light
• Colorado Automotive Advice
• Community Involvement
• Electrical
• Electrical
• Engine
• Exhaust System
• Featured Articles
• Infographic
• Maintenance
• Muffler
• Muffler & Exhaust
• news
• Oil Change
• Online Mechanic
• Radiator
• Radiator & Cooling System
• Safety
• Services
• Suspension
• Suspension System
• Total Car Care
• Transmission
• Transmissions
• Videos

The information contained in this website, or any of our content, videos, and publications is for general information purposes only. Learn more about our information disclaimer »

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide the best auto repair and maintenance in Minnesota. With 6 convenient locations and nearly 50 years in business, you can count on your locally-owned Minnesota AAMCO Center to provide expert transmission repair, brake service, tune-ups, oil and filter changes, electrical system repair, fluid service, and much more for your car, truck, or SUV.

Our comprehensive 36-step ProtectCheck® Inspection, expert technicians, and no-nonsense pay-only-for-what-you-need approach makes us the most trusted name in car care. Come see why people who know go to AAMCO.

If you would like to schedule an appointment, please make an appointment here.

Find it Fast

Home

Services

Special Offers

About AAMCO

Schedule an Appointment

Locations

Testimonials

×

Good News, We Are Open!

We are an essential business; you can come visit us! Due to current COVID-19 concerns, many local jurisdictions have put in place a stay-at home order, which allows only essential businesses to be open. What this means for the families we serve and our employees:

• Auto Repair and Maintenance Shops are considered an essential service.
• We are a crucial business for day-to-day survival- short and long term.
• We will continue to stay open for your essential vehicle needs.
• You can continue to visit us!

Please call us to let us know what’s going on with your vehicle and we will gladly do everything possible to get you back on the road!