Even the best-maintained vehicles can leak fluids while they’re parked. Pink liquid means the transmission fluid is dripping, while a green or orange puddle means the coolant is leaking. Neither color is ideal to see, but the most concerning puddle color is brown—this is a sign that your car is leaking oil in Madison, TN.
An oil leak means that your engine isn’t getting all the lubrication it needs, which leads to poor performance and malfunctioning components. This post will cover the most common causes of oil leaks, and what you can do to prevent them:
- Damaged oil gaskets or pans: Debris flying up from the road or general wear and tear can harm the oil gaskets and pans located underneath the car. When these components are damaged, oil that would normally stay up in the engine is able to leak out onto the ground. Having a technician inspect and replace these parts can prevent any leaks.
- Improper installation: Unfortunately, bringing your car to an inexperienced mechanic can set you up for failure. An improperly installed gasket will start to leak early on even if it hasn’t been damaged. Always bring your car to a certified professional to prevent this and other issues.
How can I stop an oil leak?
Though you may be able to find some quick-fix tutorials on YouTube, the only way to stop your car from leaking oil is to bring it into a technician. Unless you have significant car repair experience, a DIY fix likely won’t resolve the issue—your car will probably just start leaking again in a few days. A professional should be able to spot the source and stop it from leaking once and for all.
Prevent oil leaks with these steps
The good news is that it’s pretty easy to prevent leaking oil in Madison, TN. Follow the advice below and you should never have to worry about a serious oil leak:
- Pay attention: It’s not a bad idea to take a peek at the area under your car for signs of an oil leak, especially if your car has been sitting in one spot for a few days. Though looking for leaks won’t stop one from occurring, finding one can help you prevent a host of future engine problems.
- Get repairs as soon as possible: Don’t keep driving if there’s any evidence of a leak. Instead, take your car to a trusted mechanic for repairs. Your mechanic will fix the issue and top off your oil to ensure your car is good to go.
- Bring your car to an expert for oil changes: Changing your oil as recommended by your manufacturer is an easy way to avoid a ton of problems under the hood. However, we don’t advise doing it yourself. When you bring your car to a pro, they can perform a quick check to ensure everything looks right with your oil gaskets, pans and filter. This will save you a big headache down the road.
If your vehicle is leaking oil in Madison, TN, be sure to come to Madison Muffler & Auto Repair. We’ll perform a thorough examination to determine the exact cause of the leakage and set it straight right away.