If you notice oil coming from your car, you may be worried about the cause of the leak. You may want to make arrangements for an appointment with a Chandler, AZ auto repair. Here are some of the most common causes of oil leaks.
Damaged or Rusty Oil Filter
Oil leaks can be caused by a faulty or damaged oil filter. You should make sure that the oil filter is properly tightened and that it does not have any signs of rust. In the event that you discover rust on your oil filter and engine oil, it is definitely time to replace both. The leak may also be caused by a leaking O-ring seal. In some cases, the whole oil filter may need to be replaced since these can be difficult to replace separately. It is important to change the oil filter every time you change the oil.
Leaking Oil Drain Plug
Oil drain plugs are located on the underside of vehicles, at the bottom of the oil sump. The oil can leak if the drain plug is worn or damaged. Every time you change your oil, you should replace the oil drain plug sealing or the whole plug. Nevertheless, most people simply replace the old drain plug with the new one. O-rings on oil plugs can leak because of this. If the oil plug seems to be leaking, replace the gasket or the whole plug if the plug appears to be loose. Check and tighten the oil plug.
Bad Valve Cover Gasket
An engine’s valve covers to protect the cylinder head from oil leaks and serve as a seal. It is common for valve cover gaskets to wear out over time as a result of heat, and rubbers become harder over time and drip oil. You can easily see if a leak is coming from the valve cover gasket since it is usually visible from the outside of the engine. A mirror can be useful for finding any oil leaks from the engine’s backside, however.
Damaged or Rusty Oil Pan
On the bottom of the engine, there is an oil pan. You can damage the oil pan over time by hitting something under the car, which causes cracks in the oil pan where oil leaks from when debris hits the bottom of the pan. If you have an aluminum oil pan, you can hit something under the car and cause cracks in the pan. Debris will damage the pan over time and cause dents as it hits the ground. It is possible to hit something under the car when you use an aluminum oil pan, resulting in cracks in the pan from which oil leaks.
If you notice that your oil is leaking from your car, there are ascertain things you can do to find out the cause. Knowing the cause is important because it will help you come up with the best way to fix the problem. You can also take your car to a Chandler, AZ auto repair shop for a proper inspection.
