Oil Stains Under Car - A "Warning" Sign That Cannot Be Ignored

One morning, you discover dark spots of oil under your car.

Many people may think it's just a small problem and ignore it. However, oil leaks are one of the "red flags" that indicate an engine problem. Not only is it wasteful and pollutes the environment, but it is also a symptom of underlying damage that can lead to complete engine destruction if not handled promptly.

Correctly locating the leak is the first and most important step in fixing the problem. Let Gartz experts find out.5 most common oil leaks in carsthat you need to check immediately.

1.Valve Cover Gasket

- Location & Function:This is a rubber or heat-resistant gasket that sits between the rocker cover (the top part of the engine) and the engine block. Its job is to seal and prevent the oil that lubricates the upper parts (camshaft, rocker arms) from splashing out.        

- Cause of leak:Over time and under the influence of high temperature, rubber gaskets will age, harden, lose elasticity and cause leaks.

- Signs of recognition:Oil seeps and deposits dirt around the edges of the cylinder head. In severe cases, oil can drip down the exhaust manifold, causing a burning oil smell in the engine compartment and cabin.

1.Oil Pan Gasket

• Location & Function:The oil pan is the oil reservoir at the bottom of the engine. The oil pan gasket acts as a seal between the pan and the engine block.

• Cause of leak:Similar to rocker arm gaskets, crankcase gaskets also age over time. In addition, due to their low position, they can be damaged by collision with obstacles on the road.
• Signs of recognition:This is the most common cause of large oil stains under a car after it has been parked overnight.

1.Crankshaft Seal

• Location & Function:The engine has two main crankshaft seals at the front and rear of the crankshaft. They are circular, made of heat-resistant rubber and are responsible for preventing oil from leaking away from the rotating crankshaft.
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• Cause of leak:Natural wear and tear over years of operation. The shaft seal (located between the engine and transmission) often fails more quickly.
• Signs of recognition:Oil leak at the front of the engine (near the pulley) or at the junction between the engine and the gearbox. This is a serious failure as the replacement cost is very high due to the need to lower the engine or gearbox.

• 1.Oil Filter and Oil Drain Plug

• Location & Function:The oil filter and drain plug are two parts that are removed every time the oil is changed.
• Cause of leak:Usually due to human error during maintenance. The oil filter is not tightened, the rubber gasket of the old filter is not removed, or the oil drain screw is tightened too much causing it to crack, reuse the old washer...
• Signs of recognition:Oil leaks and drips from the oil filter area or drain plug at the bottom of the crankcase. Fortunately, this is usually an easy fix.

• 2.Camshaft Seal

• Location & Function:Similar to the crankshaft seal, the camshaft seal seals the position where the camshaft exits the cylinder head to drive the timing belt.
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• Cause of leak:Aging and wear.
• Signs of recognition:Oil is leaking from the top of the engine, behind the timing belt cover. This is a leakextremely dangerousbecause oil can seep into the timing belt, causing it to slip or break, resulting in complete engine destruction.

• Serious Consequences of Oil Leaks

• Lack of lubrication:Causes wear and tear on engine parts, overheating, and can lead to costly "seizure".
• Damage to other parts:Oil can damage rubber parts such as belts and hoses.
• Fire and explosion hazard:Oil leaking onto hot parts such as the exhaust manifold can catch fire.

• Protection and Prevention Solutions from Gartz

  Repairing leaks is a must. However, “prevention is better than cure”. Using a high-quality engine oil is an important part of maintaining the “health” of the engine and its sealing components.

   

• Gartz engine oilwith advanced additive technology from Germany:
• Helps maintain elasticity of gaskets and seals:Special additives help slow down the aging and hardening of rubber parts.
• High thermal stability and oxidation resistance:Gartz oil maintains stability, does not degrade into corrosive acids, helping to protect the seals from the inside.
• Reduce friction and temperature:The motor runs cooler, reducing stress on the entire sealing system.
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• Use premium Gartz engine oil such asGartz SAE 5W30 or 10W40During each periodic maintenance, you proactively extend the life of gaskets, seals and the entire engine.

  Conclude:Never be complacent with small oil leaks. As soon as you detect signs of a leak, take your car to a reputable garage to check and determine the exact cause. At the same time, always choose quality maintenance products such as Gartz lubricants to protect your engine comprehensively and prevent expensive damage in the future.