My daughter's car has an Oil leak

[JanetRose]

is that expensive to fix?

thanks.

 

[eduk8r26]

Depends on where it is leaking. If it's the oil pan, yes, that is expensive. If it's just a gasket, may not be quite as expensive. Don't know what it is in terms of dollars, though.

 

[dis-happy]

If it's a small leak you can just keep adding oil each month.

 

[laurie31]

Speaking from personal experience, it will be more expensive to NOT fix it.

When I was 19, I sadly didn't know ANYTHING about cars except how to drive one, and had no idea I had this problem, until my engine block cracked and my car was totalled.

It's 23 years later and I still watch my dashboard oil indicator like a hawk.

As long as your DD makes sure that her oil pressure is up, you could do the "keep adding oil" thing, but make sure she knows what to watch for. Once that "service engine soon" light comes on, it is TOO LATE!

 

[Lintasare]

Depends on where the leak is. If it's a cracked hose or gasket that can run up to a couple hundred dollars. I had to replace the valve cover gasket in my car and it cost me $250, mostly because of the labor to replace it.

I am not sure what it would cost to repair or replace an oil pan. Never had to do that...luckily...crossing fingers.

 

[Carl Fredricksen]

Can you provide a little more info? Where is the leak coming from in relation to the engine (front of engine, middle, rear?)? Also what type of car is it (year, make, model, how many miles), and lastly was the car serviced recently?

As mentioned, it depends where the leak is coming from. If you use a quickie lube type of place to do your oil changes, it could be that they didn't tighten the drain plug completely and it is dripping. As well, most drain plugs have a silicon or steel washer on them that wears out over time, so it may just be that the washer or drain plug needs to be replaced. Also, if the filter is loose or has a defective gasket, same thing. Those are the most common problems if the leak just started, After that, if the leak is coming from the bottom of the car, it could be a crack in the oil pan or the oil pan gasket, but a very small chance of this unless she hit something.

If it were me, I would go to the local auto parts store and get a new drain plug for about $5. Just tell the clerk the year, make and model and they can look it up for you. Then search your local paper for a $14.99 (or so) oil change coupon and take it in (if it is leaking heavy, check the oil level before driving it, and using a different shop than the one you normally use would be good). When they change the oil, ask them to use the new drain plug, and make sure you get the old one back (to insure they did install the new one). Also, any decent oil change shop would do a basic inspection and tell you if there was a crack in the pan, etc. After the oil change is done, tell them about the leak and ask if they noticed anything unusual. If it is a quick change place, they have no reason to lie for the most part about a major repair because they can't do that type of work anyway. Give it a day or 2 and see if the leak persists. If it stops, it would indicate the filter or plug was the problem.

Lastly, if it an older car, the solution may be as simple as using an oil specifically made for High Mileage cars. Sometimes the seals in the engine become brittle over time, and an oil like Maxlife has special seal conditioners that can slow this problem over time.

If none of these stop the leak, a good local mechanic will need to get involved.

Hopefully some of this info will help, and I'll keep an eye on this for more info on the car.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Bottom line how low is the oil & how often are you checking it? Who changes your oil, did they say something to you?

My dh just fixed nephews car. He was 3ish qts low. Lucky he did not blow the motor and it was a minor fix.

 

[stichy]

I've had 2 cars that I needed to replace the oil pans on. Neither was that expensive. My VW was the most because it is an import.

 

[Ohiodislover]

Don't call BP. They have no idea how to stop it.

Hopefully just a seal and nothing else. Have you seen a leak or is she just burning through oil faster?

 

[goofyernmost]

Don't call BP. They have no idea how to stop it.

Good one!!!

 

[Rainwater]

is that expensive to fix?

thanks.

Yes, very expensive. This could cost as much as $2,000 to fix.

 

[KAMLEM]

Don't call BP. They have no idea how to stop it.

 

[Carl Fredricksen]

Yes, very expensive. This could cost as much as $2,000 to fix.

Unless an engine seal is completely blown out, it should not cost near this much. However, what is perceived as an oil leak could also come from the transmission, CV joints, etc., hence the request for more info in my earlier post.

Small to medium oil leak problems are fairly inexpensive to fix, and for a DIY person can be resolved in a few hours on the weekend.