Engine Leak Inspection
What is an oil leak diagnosis?
Engine oil is designed specifically for the high heat, high pressure, and high speed environment inside an engine crankcase. Your engine will remain protected as long as the oil is present, and changed regularly. Just as important as engine oil condition, is the engine oil level. Over time, heat and age will degrade the various rubber, cork, or silicone seals that keep oil in the engine. Even if the engine is not burning oil, a severe leak can cause a dangerous low oil condition.
What is an oil leak diagnosis for?
Engine leak inspections are conducted to ensure the engine is staying sealed at all times. While this normally is focusing on oil loss, coolant loss may be found as well. This works well for maintaining a vehicle that has been identified as losing oil, as a cooling system inspection is typically conducted if the engine is leaking coolant.
There are several systems that can leak oil. Each fluid tends to be a different color, which can help to identify the leaking system.
Engine oil tends to be brown or black. It can be an amber color if it's new oil
Power steering fluid can be many colors: clear, brown, green or red
Automatic transmission fluid is reddish in color
Engine coolant is green, red, orange, or clear. It has a watery consistency different from oil
If engine oil is found leaking after an oil change, have the shop re-check to make sure that the oil filter and drain plug were properly installed.
How to know you need an oil leak diagnosis
An engine leaking oil does not always make a puddle on the ground. A burning smell may be noticed from the front of the vehicle after driving. This is because engine oil leaks may fall onto hot engine components, especially the exhaust manifold, and burn off before making it to the ground. This poses a risk to the engine because the leak going unnoticed may deplete the engine oil reserve, and lead to an oil starvation issue. Some engine oil leaks only occur while the engine is running, so the leak may be larger than the small spot on the ground makes it seem.