When you see a huge puddle of oil beneath your car, it’s never good news, and you can be fairly sure it’s a serious problem. But what if you only see a bit of oil? Or what if your oil level goes down, but you never see any leaks? What if your leaks only occur when your engine is cold or parked on an incline? With so many potential signs and types of engine oil leaks, it can be difficult to know when a leak is a big problem and when it isn’t.
No engine oil leak is good, but it doesn’t mean you should panic at the first drop of oil you see on the ground. It’s important to pay close attention to your engine oil level and leaks. This is especially true with older vehicles. The key to avoiding major engine problems because of an engine oil leak is acting as soon as you detect leaking oil is to repair the leak and replace any missing oil.
Consider these potential situations:
- The most critical engine oil leaks are those that starve your engine of oil. If you see a large puddle on the ground, don’t try starting your engine. You may not have enough oil left to lubricate your engine and can cause permanent damage that can only be repaired by an engine rebuild or replacement. This is called engine seizing, and you want to avoid it.
- Low oil level because of a small leak in a gasket or seal can quickly cause problems and leave you stranded. If your leak is small, topping the oil and carefully watching the level can often allow you to get home safely, but you need to quickly take care of your leak before it becomes worse. You have to address the root cause of the problem, not just treat the symptom.
- Engine oil leaks that occur in specific situations — like when you’re driving or when parked on an incline —— are not always easy to detect. This is why it is critical to pay close attention to your oil level. While your dashboard may have a low-level warning light, it’s always a good idea to check the dipstick to be sure, especially in older cars.
Even if your oil leak starts out small and isn’t serious enough to cause engine damage, an oil leak will always get worse over time – it never gets better. At Bar’s Leaks, we have spent decades formulating our oil stop leak products for fast and affordable oil leak repair. With millions of customers across the country, you can select from our range of products designed for permanent repair of your engine oil leaks.
Check out our different oil stop leak solutions right here on our site, and then locate the store nearest you that carries our products. Don’t wait until your engine leak becomes serious. Take care of it today and enjoy peace of mind every time you hit the road!
