All You Need To Know About Car Oil Leak Causes And Fixes
The Car Care Nut is our favorite Toyota master mechanic, and his years of experience means he's got the knowledge and expertise we can depend on when it comes to worrisome things like oil leaks. In the video below, he dives deep into car oil leaks and everything you need to know about them.
Why Does Your Toyota Leak Oil
As your Toyota ages, the gaskets can wear out, causing oil to leak out. Newer models that use sealers are less likely to leak, but leaks do still occur. Porous blocks or casting issues are very rare, but they can show up when a vehicle is still pretty new. Cracks in the block are caused by overheating. The main causes of oil leaks are:
- Brittle and worn gaskets
- Sealer leaks
- Porous aluminum or cracks in the block
- Rubber seals
Rubber seals can also leak, especially when a component has been incorrectly installed or when the seal has failed due to wear and tear. However, there is another type of leak to watch for: the leak without a drip.
If you notice oil or coolant levels dropping but there is no evidence of a leak, it's likely because they are being burned off in the tailpipe. Even power steering fluid can make its way through the vacuum hoses to the engine and exit through the tailpipe.
The Biggest Misconception About Oil Leaks
The Car Care Nut explains that the biggest misconception many owners have about oil leaks is that they think their car will run out of oil if they notice a leak. While your car won't likely run out of oil, an oil leak does still pose a safety concern.
Safety is the biggest reason why you should quickly fix an oil leak. Car oil can get diluted with a small amount of gasoline. This is a normal process called fuel dilution, and if you have an oil leak dripping onto a hot component like an exhaust manifold, there is a real risk of a fire.
The second reason to address oil leaks is that the fumes from oil that lands on hot engine components can enter the cabin, posing a toxic health hazard to occupants.
When Should You Be Worried About Leaks?
Some oil leaks are so small that they are more of an irritation than a safety hazard. Small drips can be left until your next service. However, if you notice a puddle of oil every time you park or smell burnt oil from the engine bay, it is time to get it sorted out.
Coolant leaks, regardless of how bad they are, should be addressed immediately. Fix coolant leaks right away, because they tend to start small but can quickly get worse causing overheating.
Transmission leaks usually build up over time, and aren’t always an issue that needs resolving immediately. However, they can leak onto the exhaust system, especially on rear-wheel drive cars, which is a fire hazard.
Is Your Car Using A Lot Of Oil Between Services?
Image Credit: The CarCareNut
A tip the Car Care Nut has for Toyota owners is that fixing a small oil leak won't affect the oil your Toyota uses between oil changes. He demonstrates how much mess just one quart of oil makes on the garage floor, compared to the few drops that may be leaking out of an engine. If you find you need to add multiple quarts to your engine every few thousand miles, you know the engine is burning it off - because you'd definitely notice that much oil in your drive or on the floor of your garage!
Losing that much oil means that the cause needs to be diagnosed by a technician. It can be due to a worn engine, a damaged Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system, or several other causes.
You can use a ‘stop leak’ type additive in your oil, and it will work. However, it may also clog oil passages, eventually damaging engine components. Take caution when deciding to use such products.
OEM Toyota Parts From Olathe Toyota Parts Center
An oil service is a DIY task that can be done with minimal mechanical experience and a few basic tools. Regular oil and oil filter changes are essential to keep your Toyota in good condition, and if you notice an oil leak, have it seen to by a Toyota technician before it becomes a serious problem. The best thing you can do for oil leaks to be sure you fix the exact problem causing the leak.
Olathe Toyota Parts Center stocks every OEM component you may need for your vehicle, including service items like air filters, cabin filters, oil filters, and much more. Use our free VIN lookup tool to get the exact parts you need. We ship fast from our centrally located Kansas City dealership, so get in touch and order your parts today.