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Oil Leak Repair

Oil Leak Repair

Oil Leak Repairs (and How to Avoid Them)

When you see a puddle of oil underneath your vehicle, it makes your heart sink a little and you’re sure to have some questions. How long can you drive on it? Are you about to be in for expensive repairs? At European Service Center, we can repair these sorts of issues and also help you to prevent them in the first place.

That’s because we’ve got over 40 years of experience that includes work with the following makes and models:

To help a little with your oil leak dilemma, today we’re going to talk about why this can happen and whether or not it’s really safe to drive when your car is practically leaking its lifeblood.

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Can I Drive While My Car is Leaking Oil?

While you could theoretically get a lot of miles in with a minor leak, we really wouldn’t recommend it – Especially with European vehicles. These machines are precision-engineered and your oil helps to ensure that metal parts are coated against corrosion and lubricated well enough to work in harmony together.

Once you’re leaking oil, pressure gets reduced in the network that it travels in, and you can’t be sure what’s protected and what might be wearing down while you’re driving. So, when you spot a leak, it’s really best practice to get it to an expert like European Service Center right away.

Without prompt attention, anything from minor internal damage to full engine failure may result, so it doesn’t pay at all to wait!

Why is My Car Leaking Oil?

There are a lot of reasons why your car might start leaking oil, but in the interest of space and keeping a nice reading pace in this article, we’ve boiled it down to the top 5. Here are the 5 most common reasons why your vehicle might spring an oil leak:

  • Gasket issues – You’ve got a number of gaskets inside your vehicle, such as the Timing cover gasket, the oil pan gasket, Valve cover gasket, and more. These gaskets seal different areas inside of the engine, and when they wear down over time or through engine stresses then an oil leak is the first sign of trouble you’ll see.
  • The Oil Filter – When the oil gets changed, a brand-new filter needs to be put into place, and the oil ring and gasket need to be placed just right. If that’s not the case, then it’s not going to function properly and an oil leak is going to happen.
  • Damage to the oil pan – Oil pan damage is often the easiest to spot, as the leak is generally going to produce larger puddles than a more minor leak would show you. If you see a big puddle of oil, then don’t wait – Get your vehicle towed in to an expert right away!
  • The drain plug is coming loose – Whenever your oil gets changed, it has to be drained first, and so your drain plug gets pulled out and re-inserted quite a lot as time goes by. If it’s coming loose then the good news is that it’s typically a cheap and easy fix, provided that you don’t sit on it for too long.
  • Seals are wearing down – A network of seals throughout your engine helps to ensure that oil gets where it needs to go and doesn’t end up on the driveway instead. Natural wear and tear can cause them to wear down, and fender-benders can sometimes compromise them too and when that happens, leaking oil will definitely make an appearance.

European Service Center Oil Leak FAQ

What is the most common cause of oil leaks?

Typically the most common cause of oil leaks are worn-down seals and gaskets, although a filter that’s gone bad or a loose plug can also spell trouble where your oil is concerned. This sort of thing is easily avoided by regular preventative maintenance, but too often it gets overlooked and the resulting oil leak can create much worse problems by the time it’s noticed.

When should I worry about an oil leak?

As soon as you notice a leak, it’s time to get your vehicle to the shop… period. Oil is essential to your engine’s proper operation. It keeps parts lubricated and coats metal to reduce friction and prevent corrosion.

While a small leak might not seem like much, the reduced pressure means that trouble is just around the bed. So, if you notice an oil leak, don’t wait, or you might be in for some serious and costly repairs.

Can an oil leak cause overheating?

Yes, overheating is a common occurrence when you don’t have enough oil, and ending up on the side of the road might well be the least of your problems. At European Service Center, we can repair issues like overheating from oil leaks, but we can also help you to prevent them.

Give us a call and ask about our recommended preventative maintenance for your European model vehicle – It’s thorough, efficient, and will help make problems like oil leaks a thing of the past!

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