Oil leaks from a car engine: causes of a malfunction and how to fix it. Oil leaks from under the oil filter: reasons, what to do Oil leaks from the engine reasons

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The fact is that oil leakage can be in different places of the engine (engine valve cover, oil leak from under bolts and other fasteners of the power unit, from under the oil filter and from under other components). Also, the accumulated dirt or dust on the engine and in the engine compartment can interfere with the rapid detection of oil leaks.

Sometimes an oil leak from the engine is discovered by chance, when, for example, the driver saw oil stains on the garage floor, on the asphalt while parking the car, etc.

But remember that just because you don’t find oil stains under your car doesn’t mean that there is no oil or any other fluid leaking in your car.

The thing is that the oil leak can be small and insignificant at first due to, for example, an internal leak. It is very, very difficult to find such a leak. Therefore, when checking regularly (or in another component), pay attention to whether the liquid level gradually decreases.

In any case, every driver (even one who has experience in car repair) can face the problem of finding the place of the oil leak. So a good strategy to help determine the cause of a fluid leak is essential.

And so, when you suspect that oil has begun to leak in your car, then in order to find the source of the leak, you must do the following.

Major sources of engine oil leakage

Sources of engine oil leaks

Oil leaks from engine gaskets or oil seals

Crack in the engine

Broken or worn out engine bolts

Defective components

Abnormal crankcase pressure

Incorrect installation of engine components

Preparation for locating a possible oil leak

First, before looking for an oil leak, you must clean the surface of the engine from dirt and dust. This will make it easy for you to locate greasy stains or other liquid from vehicle components.

In order to clean the engine from dust, you can buy a special cleaner and wash the power unit yourself. You can also pressure wash the engine at a car wash.

Please note that cleaning the engine with a special cleaning spray or at a car wash should only be done with a cold engine. In the process of washing the engine, you must also clean not only the power unit itself, but also all hoses, brackets, the engine pan, and also wash the bottom of the car and its suspension.

Attention! When cleaning the engine, be sure to seal all electrical connections and exposed terminals with a sealed material. Otherwise, you run the risk of accelerating the corrosion of electrical components of the car, as well as simply not starting the engine after washing.

Detecting oil leaks in the car

After you have cleaned the engine, as well as other components of the car, which may be the cause of the oil leak, you should proceed directly to visually search for the source of the fluid leak.

By the way, if, for example, you find oil stains under a car, then before you start looking for a leak, place a few sheets of newspaper or paper under the car. This may help you identify the source of the leak. Leave the newspaper overnight (for example, if you are going to start looking for the source of the oil leak in the morning).

Leaving the newspaper under the car, in the morning you can find out for sure if there is oil leakage from the engine or from other components of the car. True, this is not a 100 percent oil leak detection test. Remember that some oil leaks can only occur when the engine is running.

In principle, in this way, you can detect the leakage of any liquid in the car. For example, from the braking system, steering, etc. Just like in the engine, in order to recognize in time a possible oil leak in other components of the car, regularly check the level of not only engine oil, but also other fluids. If you begin to notice that some liquid is gradually decreasing in a particular component, then you should definitely find out if there is a leak.

Note: Some auto repairmen and motorists use special dyes to find the place of leakage of oil or any other liquid.

How the leak detection process works, see the video below. This will give you an idea of how to use the dye to locate the oil leak.

You can also use this method to find the source of the oil leak in your car. But please note that this method is a little more expensive, what we propose to do.

Looking for an oil leak in a car

If you find drops of oil on the newspaper or paper that you put under the car, visually inspect the oil stains directly. Make sure it is a drop of oil that is leaking from the engine or any other vehicle component. Perhaps these spots are just condensation or water. How to determine what was left on paper or newspaper, you can find out in more detail from ours.

If the stains on the newspaper turned out to be oil, then now is the time to start a general inspection of all the most likely places where the oil might leak. See the table above. If there is even a small leak, you should see wet spots on the engine or other components where the leak exists. That is why, before looking for a leak, it is imperative to flush not only the engine, but also the suspension, engine oil pan, gearbox, and a number of other machine components from which oil or other liquid may leak.

An easy way to diagnose oil leaks in a car

- How to find an oil leak: First of all, carefully inspect the engine for damp areas. Then inspect the transmission and steering system. If you find a wet spot on any component, follow it up to the highest point you can reach. This way you can find out the possible direction of the oil leak, since the leak is sure to leave a trail and stain many parts of the car.

- Engine oil leaking due to worn engine gaskets: When looking for leaks, pay special attention to the engine gaskets. Most often, oil leakage occurs due to wear of the engine gaskets and oil seals. The same applies to transmissions.

- Engine oil leak: Usually leaves behind a transparent, light brown trail (if the oil has recently been changed) or a dark brown trail (if the engine oil has been used for a long time).

Depending on the location of the oil spot under the vehicle, check for possible oil sump leakage from the front and rear crankshaft oil seals. Also check the cover that protects the timing belt or chain and all areas surrounding this component.

Including, do not forget to check the place where the head of the block is connected to the engine block. The fact is that in this connection there is a block head gasket, which often fails and starts to leak engine oil. Including the most common cause of oil leakage from the power unit of a car is the valve cover gasket.

- Leakage of engine oil from under the filter: Plus, if you've recently changed your engine oil, there are a few more components that you should look at.

So, you should check the tightness of the oil filter, and also make sure that the oil filter gasket is firmly seated on the filter and the engine.

Remember that sometimes during the installation of the oil filter, its gasket may wrap up a little and then the filter may begin to leak oil.

To inspect the oil filter, use any small mirror to help you inspect the base of the filter. This includes grabbing the filter with your hand and trying to turn it counterclockwise to make sure it is tightened securely.

There are, of course, other common places where engine oil can leak. For example, be sure to inspect the oil drain plug, through which engine oil can also leak.

- Automatic transmission oil leak: If your car is equipped with an automatic transmission, then you should inspect for oil leaks not only the automatic transmission case (as a rule, oil can flow from the transmission pan), but also because of the front oil seal and the rear oil seal of the automatic transmission. Transmission oil (oil stains) can be recognized by its color.

New or fresh gear oil has a reddish tint. Old transmission oil is usually not clear and is dark brown in color and may also have a burnt odor. Therefore, if you decide to determine a possible oil leak not only from the engine, but also from the gearbox, then in the evening spread a newspaper or paper not only under the engine, but also under the checkpoint.

- Power steering fluid leak: Since there are others in addition to engine oil and gear oil in any car, naturally, due to wear of some components of the car, other fluids may also leak. For example, any car can start leaking steering fluid.

Steering fluid leaks are typically yellow on paper or newspapers. To see the source of the steering leak, have an assistant start the engine, engage the parking brake (handbrake), and press the brake pedal. Then ask him to turn the steering wheel slowly, first one way and then the other. If all steering components, including gears, and the power steering pump, as well as the power steering fluid reservoir. Since the steering fluid is under pressure, when you turn the steering wheel by your assistant, you will quickly find where the power steering fluid is leaking.

- Leaking brake fluid: The color of the brake fluid is similar to the power steering fluid (yellow). If you find pale yellow spots under the car, but after checking the fluid level in the hydraulic boosters, you find that it is within the normal range, then be sure to check the brake fluid level. If you find that the brake fluid level has dropped significantly, then urgently check the brake master cylinder, all brake hoses and each caliper or brake cylinders for brake fluid leaks.

Eliminating oil leaks in a car

Once you've found the source of the leak in your car, it's time to decide if you can fix it yourself as soon as possible. For example, even if you do not have sufficient experience in servicing and repairing a car, you can quite easily fix a leak from a valve cover gasket.

Also, in some cases, you will be able to fix the oil leak from the oil filter yourself. Otherwise, you need some experience in car repair and maintenance, as well as a repair manual for your car model. Especially if the oil started to leak due to the wear of the crankshaft oil seals. If you do not have such experience, then, having found an oil leak, contact a technical auto center as soon as possible. However, we still advise you to establish the place of the leak yourself in order to avoid cheating at the car service.

Fortunately, it is generally rare for new or fresh vehicles to leak oil and other fluids. But as the mileage increases and depending on the load on the car during operation, many of its gaskets, seals and oil seals wear out, which can lead to fluid leaks. Gaskets and oil seals in the engine can wear out especially quickly due to sudden temperature changes.

Therefore, from time to time, you should not only just change the oil and air filter, but also conduct a thorough inspection of all the main components of the car. This is the only way you will be able to detect possible leakage of oil and other fluids in time.

Don't be afraid of your car. Each of you is able to inspect your car from time to time for fluid leaks. You do not need the ability and skills in this. Your task is to detect the leak in time.

Remember that periodic inspection as well as timely scheduled maintenance will help you keep your car in good condition as well. This will allow you in the future to save not only your nerves and time, but of course money.

Lubricant leakage can happen in any machine, with any engine. This unit contains many seals that are damaged during operation. Before figuring out how to fix oil leaks, let's look at the symptoms of this problem. Leaking can cause clutch slippage. If oil gets on the intake manifold or exhaust pipe, it will be accompanied by a pungent smell and smoke from the engine compartment cover. You will learn about the lack of fluid by looking at the dashboard.... But where the oil from the engine can run from, you have to find out yourself.

Crankcase ventilation systems

The crankcase ventilation system serves to reduce the pressure of the exhaust gases. If the system wires are clogged, with increased gas pressure, oil will run out of the engine. Therefore, before eliminating the leak for any reason, first check and restore the normal operation of the ventilation.

Attention!Sometimes exhaust gases burst into the crankcase and build up overpressure even with excellent ventilation. In this case, check the engine piston system.

Oil pan of the engine or gearbox

If the sump is in oil, the reason is a leak from the crankcase, this trouble will be eliminated by installing a protection. For this operation, you will need to remove the pallet by unscrewing its fastening screws. If any damage is present on the surface of the device, they must be eliminated. Take a new gasket for the pallet, coat it with sealant and reinstall the part.

If oil is leaking from the engine due to defects in the valve cover gasket, which is the most common problem, then it will not be difficult to fix it. Open the hood and remove the cover. It will need to be cleaned of oil stains with acetone. If the reason is still in the gasket, replace it, and coat the new one with sealant and press firmly against the lid. After putting the valve cover back in place, check if everything is in order by a trip.

Trambler

If there are smudges at the place where the distributor is attached, you need to remove the cover from it, noting the location of the slider. Then unscrew the fixing screws and remove the mechanism. Lubricate the joint with sealant and put the distributor back, putting the slider in the same place where it was before the procedure.

Oil filter

Engine oil leaks from under the oil filter are not a terrible problem. Perhaps you just need to tighten it well. If it doesn't help, then change it. Remove the filter and check its condition. It can be punctured or damaged in some way.

Did you know? The main misconception of many drivers is that modern lubricants should be used even on "ancient" motors. This is based on the assertion that the manufacturers who produced old cars did not talk about new oil technologies, because they did not exist. In fact, the newest oils for older engines are somewhat aggressive.

Oil gauge

Leaking lubricant will help install the oil sensor. Its low fluid level reading is a sure sign of a problem. In the event that the sensor is to blame, change it without a shadow of a doubt. This device is most often not recoverable.

An engine in oil is not just a nuisance - it can lead to serious damage to the entire engine unit and even to a car fire.

Also, strong oiling of the internal combustion engine can cause a fire. By the way, the specified layer of dirt and oil from the surfaces of the motor is removed with difficulty (you need a regular and full, etc.).

Separately, it should be borne in mind that a leak can lead to the fact that. This causes the motor to malfunction,. Also, grease can damage the insulation of the wires under the hood, get on the clutch, soften rubber pads, seals, interact with plastic parts, etc.

Why the engine is in oil: possible causes

It becomes clear that for the normal operation of the internal combustion engine, it is necessary to eliminate the causes of oil leakage in the engine as soon as possible. At the same time, experts identify several reasons for this.

Immediately, we note that it is far from always possible to quickly find the place of a leak. Many parts and elements make it difficult to access for inspection, and the space in the engine compartment on many cars is very limited.

This means that if the engine is in oil, drops of fresh lubricant are visible under the car after parking, then it is highly desirable to drive the car into an inspection pit, lift it on a lift or drive onto an overpass. This approach will make it possible to inspect the engine both from above and below. By the way, if there is an engine protection, this element will need to be removed.

So, the main reasons for oil leaks are as follows:

increasing the oil level in the engine (overflow);
using the wrong type of lubricant;
crankcase ventilation problems;
oil leak from under the valve cover;
oil leakage in the distributor area;
oil flows from under the oil filter;
broken or cracked oil pan;
the front / rear crankshaft oil seal is leaking;

Quite often, car owners who themselves change the oil in the engine accidentally (sometimes deliberately) exceed the lubrication level. The result is increased pressure in the lubrication system, the excess oil is simply squeezed out through the gaskets and seals (especially on old motors). In this case, the excess oil must be pumped out of the engine.

Also, oil can leak if the engine is filled with too "liquid" or counterfeit lubricant (the SAE viscosity is not suitable, the properties of the oil do not correspond to the declared ones). In such a situation, the grease must be drained, after which the engine is washed and a proven, high-quality product suitable for tolerances and recommendations is poured.

It may also be necessary to make an additional correction for individual operating conditions (constant operation of the motor under heavy loads at high speeds, intense heat in the region, etc.).

We add that certain malfunctions also lead to the fact that there is an increase in the level of lubrication. Such breakdowns should be attributed. In this case, the lubricant loses its useful properties and liquefies, an emulsion is formed. Often in this case, oil leaks through the engine seals as well.

The crankcase actually acts as an oil reservoir on many vehicles (except dry sump systems). As the piston rings wear and out of the combustion chamber, some of the exhaust gases erupt into the boat. This leads to an increase in pressure.

This overpressure must be compensated for. If the system does not work or does not work correctly, the exhaust gases "squeeze" the oil out of the crankcase. Often, the driver can find that the entire engine is in oil, while squeezing out the oil dipstick.

The valve cover most often leaks due to the destruction of the valve cover gasket, as well as as a result of deformation or damage to the cover itself.

Depending on the problem, it is necessary. Also, the lid can be placed on a special sealant.

On domestic cars, one of the most common places for oil leakage is the distributor. If oil flows from under the distributor, the problem in some cases can be solved quite simply.

To do this, remove the cover from the distributor, then the device itself is removed. Next, sealant must be applied at the junction, after which the assembly is carried out in the reverse order.

On many cars. The reason may be incorrect tightening of the filter without a special wrench (the filter is under-twisted or twisted).

In the first case, the filter must be tightened, in the second case, the rubber O-ring is deformed, as a result of which it is necessary to purchase another oil filter. Also, product defects should not be ruled out, especially when it comes to the cheapest filters. Less often, it happens that the matter is not in the filter itself, but in the threaded seat. If a breakdown occurs in this area, repair is required.

Cracks and damage to the oil pan occur quite often, especially taking into account the operation of a car on domestic roads without installing additional engine protection.

As a rule, such a breakdown leads to intense leaks. In this case, it is necessary (to weld the pallet).

Repair operations are carried out only after dismantling the pallet. It is quite obvious that the installation of a crankcase protection, although it does not completely exclude, however, significantly reduces the risks of such malfunctions.

Quite often, drivers are faced with such a nuisance when. The power unit has two crankshaft oil seals (front oil seal PSKV and rear oil seal ZSKV).

As a rule, oil seals flow on motors with a range of 100 thousand km or more. and more. A sure sign of problems with oil seals on many cars is oiling in the timing belt installation area (front oil seal), as well as oil leakage in the area of the gearbox and engine interface (oil flows between the engine and the gearbox), oil stains are visible under the car after parking (rear oil seal ).

Such a breakdown is serious and requires specialist intervention. It is not recommended to drive the car before the repair. For example, if the front oil seal leaks, oil can get on with all the ensuing consequences (belt slippage, breakage, etc.). Leaks in the area of the rear oil seal can cause grease to get onto the clutch components. To replace the ZSKV, it is necessary to remove the gearbox.

How to find the location of an engine oil leak: available methods

As already mentioned, to find a leak, the engine must be inspected from all sides. First of all, check the engine oil level. If the level is increased, we find out the reason, if it is lowered, we bring it back to normal.

Often, a strong leak will be indicated by a drop in the oil level in a short time. In such a situation, you should pay attention to the condition of the oil pan. It is possible that repair or replacement will be required.

If we talk about gaskets and seals, strong leaks through them are also possible, but they are less common. But the oil can gradually flow out, leaving drops under the car or drips on the internal combustion engine.

If you cannot see where the grease is coming from, talcum powder can be sprinkled on potential problem areas to pinpoint the source. The method is simple and convenient, well suited for garage conditions. Next, the motor must be started for 10 minutes. in idle mode or drive a car for 2-3 km. Then you need to inspect the previously covered with talcum powder, revealing fresh oil on a white powder.

Finally, we note that many service stations practice the addition of a special dye to the oil. Such a dye is a fluorescent. Then the engine is started, after which it is allowed to work on the XX or it is proposed to drive 3-5 km. Then, using a fluorescent lamp, the internal combustion engine is carefully examined, determining the areas where the oil containing the pigment glows.

Signs of an oil leak

Leakage of oil from the power unit of a car is a common phenomenon that is well known to many drivers. The very design of the engine contributes to the emergence of this problem - it uses many sealing elements (gaskets or oil seals) through which the lubricant flows. Signs of fluid leakage, in addition to a decrease in its level, which can be determined with a dipstick, appear in the form of oily drops, streaks and stains on parts or under the bottom of the machine. Problems in the lubrication system are also indicated by the appearance of gray (blue) smoke from the exhaust pipe or from under the hood of the car.

Photo examples

The engine is covered with a black oil film. Oil drops appear on the bottom of the motor Gearbox parts are covered with oil stains Oil streaks appear on the engine housing The bottom of the engine is oily Leakage is indicated by oil stains under the bottom of the car.

Where does the lubricant flow, drip or run from?

This question is asked by every motorist who finds an oil stain under the bottom of his car. The first thing that comes to mind is a problem with pads or cuffs, but which ones? The fact is that oil can flow from the engine itself or from the gearbox, where the input shaft oil seal (manual transmission) or fluid coupling (automatic transmission) is located. How is the source of the leak determined? Experienced craftsmen distinguish transmission oil by smell, but we will advise everyone else an easier way: place a particle of the leaked lubricant in a container with ordinary water - the engine oil will go to the bottom in the form of a drop, and the transmission oil will "scatter" over the surface.

Attention! Only by determining where the oil is flowing from can further actions be taken to solve this problem.

The causes of the malfunction and how to fix them

An unnoticed oil leak can lead to serious damage to the power unit. To fix the problem and prevent further leaks, it is important to know the causes of their occurrence. So, a malfunction can be caused by:

Insufficient ventilation of the crankcase of the unit. The problem is typical for heavily worn engines and gearboxes. The ventilation ducts of such units are very dirty - this creates increased pressure in the crankcase and leads to the displacement of lubricant through the oil seals, cuffs or gaskets, oil can drip quite abundantly.
Excessive amount of lubricant filled into the unit. An excessive amount of oil contributes to an increase in oil pressure in the system. In this case, the seals and gaskets do not withstand the increased operating pressure and "break through" (start to leak).
Wrong choice of lubricant. Long service life of oil seals and gaskets is ensured by the type of lubricant recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. The use of a different, even better quality oil leads to the destruction of the sealing elements.
Long (more than a month) car idle time. Gaskets and seals can fail if the engine does not warm up for more than four weeks - all the oil flows into the crankcase, and the seals left without lubrication dry out and collapse.

In addition, lubricant leakage occurs due to defects:

oil pan;
intake manifold;
oil filter;
distributor;
oil pressure sensor.

Attention! Do not operate the vehicle if the low oil pressure indicator located on the dashboard goes off.

Let us consider in more detail those components and assemblies of the car, a malfunction of which can cause an oil leak.

Engine

Lubricant leaks are a challenge for anyone, especially a novice driver. Note that it is quite difficult to eliminate the causes of the appearance of gray smoke from the muffler on your own. It is no less difficult to eliminate oil leakage due to severe wear of the shaft or cylinder-piston group of the engine - with such problems it is better to immediately contact a service station, where experienced craftsmen will quickly and efficiently repair the engine. Today we will talk only about those defects that can be eliminated by hand.

Crankcase ventilation system

Modern car engines are equipped with "double" ventilation of crankcase gases: the first part of the system operates at high crankshaft speeds, the second at idle. This equipment includes:

Oil deflector valve that prevents oil vapor from entering the engine combustion chamber. If the device gets clogged with carbon deposits, its normal operation will be disrupted - oil will penetrate into the air filter and further into the intake manifold. The car engine will start to smoke heavily.
A ventilation valve that regulates the pressure of gases that enter the manifold. In idle mode, the device is in the open state, smoothly closing with increasing speed. Improper operation of the part leads to a depletion of the mixture, causing interruptions in the engine.
Dense rubber tubes that discharge excess gases that enter the crankcase. These elements are ventilation ducts; clogged with slags and fumes, they disrupt the normal operation of the system. Exhaust gases create excessive pressure, which leads to the fact that most of the gaskets, not withstanding such loads, collapse and begin to pass the vapor-oil mixture.

If the ventilation ducts 2 and 3 are dirty, the pressure in the system may increase and the gaskets will breakdown.

The crankcase ventilation should be checked first, paying particular attention to the condition of the oil deflector valve installed in the valve cover. You can make sure that the system is working as follows:

Remove the oil filler cap.
Close the neck with a piece of thick cardboard.
Start the car engine.
Bring the crankshaft speed to 1000 rpm.

Attention! The ventilation system works properly if the cardboard is pressed tightly against the neck due to the vacuum generated in the engine crankcase. Otherwise, all rubber tubes that make up the assembly should be cleaned of internal carbon deposits or replaced with new ones.

If oil leaks from under the valve cover, it is removed and thoroughly cleaned of internal carbon deposits or deposits.

Oil leakage from under the valve cover is eliminated by removing deposits

In addition, you will need:

Wash the crankcase ventilation oil separator valve and the mesh inside it.
Replace the rubber gasket, having previously lubricated it with sealant on both sides.
Lubricate the rubber washers with sealant that are installed under the bolts that secure the cover.
Replace the valve cover and tighten the retaining bolts.

Drawing of fastening bolts

Attention! Care should be taken when tightening the fastening bolts - excessive force can damage the surface of the cover or strip threads.

Having found that the liquid runs from under the oil filter, the part should be tightened tighter. Usually, oil leakage in this place can occur only when installing a defective device, so the correct solution would be to completely replace it.

Oil leakage from under the filter housing can only be eliminated by replacing it

Attention! The filter of a collapsible design should be changed at the first sign of a malfunction - in most cases, even a slight leak can lead to a complete destruction of the part body.

Pressure sensor

Leakage from under the oil pressure sensor is eliminated in the only way - by immediately replacing the device. The urgent need to perform these actions is due to the fact that the cause of the malfunction here is the wear and violation of the integrity of the rubber diaphragm located inside the part. The element can break through at any time - then the oil pump through the sensor will expel all the lubricant from the engine in a few minutes.

The problem of oil leakage from under the pressure sensor is solved by urgent replacement of the device

Attention! Most oil pressure sensors from the same manufacturer differ only in the design of the connector and can be interchanged.

Trembler

Eliminating the leakage that has arisen from under the distributor cover is not difficult. To do this, follow these steps:

Attention! The distributor must be installed so that the slider takes the same position as before the dismantling procedure.

Pallet

Oil flows out of the engine crankcase only after the sump hits an uneven road surface.

A leaking sump must be straightened

In case of critical damage, the part must be replaced, but if the pallet simply "stretched" on the fastening bolts, then it can be straightened (straightened). This will require:

Drain engine oil.
Unscrew the fastening bolts and detach the part from the crankcase.
Thoroughly clean and rinse the pallet from all kinds of deposits and dirt.
Align (straighten) the surface.
Apply sealant to the contour of the part and install it in place by tightening the fastening bolts.

Attention! Tightening the bolts during the installation of the pallet is required evenly and with extreme caution - you can easily break off the threads and break off one or more fasteners.

Oil seals

Any modification of an automobile engine is equipped with two gaskets - crankshaft oil seals, framing the mechanism at the front and rear. Depletion of the working life of parts or excess pressure of crankcase gases can cause oil to leak through these elements. Note that the elimination of this malfunction is carried out only by replacing the seals.

Oil leaks through shaft seals

Depending on the design of the engine, the front "frontal" oil seal is mounted in the cylinder block cover or the oil pump housing. To replace it, you will need:

To eliminate oil leakage through the rear "main" oil seal of the crankshaft, it will be necessary to dismantle the cardan drive, disconnect the gearbox and clutch cover. The cage in which the sealing element is installed is removed as follows:

There are other seals in a car engine that can leak - the camshaft oil seals or the oil pump shaft. The replacement of these elements is carried out in the same way: they are lubricated with lithol and installed with a spring inside.

Over time, drivers develop a useful habit - before getting into the car, they inspect the roadway or the road under the wheels of their car. Are there any fresh oil stains. Dark oil stains make some car enthusiasts worry and head straight to the service station. Meanwhile, in some cases, you can fix the oil leak yourself. Consider causes and remedies for oil leakage from the engine.

Quite often, oil leaks from the engine occur due to poor crankcase ventilation... As you know, part of the exhaust gas breaks into the crankcase through the piston rings, especially if the engine is worn out. The gases accumulating in the crankcase create excess pressure, and the crankcase ventilation system is used precisely to reduce this pressure. If the ventilation system ducts are dirty, the created excess pressure can "squeeze" the oil out of the engine. That is why, before eliminating any oil leaks from the engine, it is necessary to restore the normal operation of the crankcase ventilation system.

If the engine, or rather its piston system, is badly worn out, then even with normally operating crankcase ventilation, oil leakage cannot be avoided. The ventilation will not cope with the large amount of gases escaping into the crankcase, and there will still be overpressure.

If oil drips appear from under the valve cover, then it must be removed, rinsed, grease the gasket with sealant on all sides and reinstalled.

If there is an oil leak in the place, where is the distributor mounted, you need to remove the cover from the distributor, while noticing the location of the slider. After that, remove the distributor by unscrewing the mounting bolts. Lubricate the joint with sealant and install the distributor in place so that the slider is in the same position as before dismantling.

Oil drips from under the oil filter not very dangerous. Try tightening the filter tighter, and if that doesn't work, replace it.

Oil leaks from the sump and gearbox eliminated by removing the pallet, straightening (if the pallet is deformed from impact) and installing it in place using sealant. Moreover, if a gasket was previously used, then it is easier to throw it away - the sealant will completely replace it.

By the way, installing a crankcase protection will solve many problems, including, it will prevent oil leakage due to breakdown and deformation of the crankcase.

Eliminating oil leaks from under the crankshaft oil seals Is a rather laborious procedure. To do this, you will need to replace the oil seals, and to do this, you will have to disassemble the engine. Typically, the front oil seal will wear out faster than the rear oil seal. New oil seals must also be installed using a sealant, lubricating the shaft with it, and the working surface of the oil seal.

Do not tighten with the replacement of worn oil seals, and if you had to change the crankshaft oil seals, it is best to replace the camshaft oil seal as well, so as not to disassemble the engine once again.

All other detected oil leaks are eliminated by similar methods, that is, tightening the fasteners and sealing the joints by replacing the gaskets and applying sealant.