| $ Oil sealant: $10+ | $ $ Diagnosis: $60 - $140 | $ $ $ Professional repair: $150 to $1,500+ (parts and labor) |
It is common knowledge that the engine needs oil to function.
The engine oil works as a lubricant that helps reduce the friction between the engine moving parts; the engine oil also cleans the engine and prevents sludge and varnish from building up inside it.
When there’s an oil leak, the oil escapes from the engine, which can cause many issues.
Table of Contents
What Types Of Engine Oils Exist?
There are many types of engine oils with different compositions; each type of engine oil is used in a specific situation, and they are:
- Synthetic oil
- High mileage oil
- Conventional oil
- Synthetic oil blends
This article by PopularMechanics.com explains how to choose the right oil for each type of vehicle.
What Are The Symptoms Of An Oil Leak?
To know your car is leaking oil, you should be looking for these signs:
- Dark puddles under your vehicle.
- Smoke from the engine.
- The dashboard oil light.
- Engine overheating.
- Smell of burning oil.
You can read in more detail about these symptoms of oil leaks in this article made by TiresPlus.com.
Which Are The Reasons Why A Car Is Leaking Oil?
There are many numbers of reasons why a vehicle is leaking oils; some of them are:
- Damaged oil pan gasket.
- Valve cover gasket issue.
- Bad front and rear crankshaft seals.
- Damaged oil filter and oil drain plug.
- Problems with the timing cover gasket or seal.
- Damaged camshaft seals
- Blown cylinder head gasket.
This article by Repairsmith.com explains these reasons in more detail.
What Are The Consequences Of An Oil Leak?
Engine oil has a crucial job in lubricating the engine moving parts, so when there are oil leaks, the engine won’t have any oil to prevent friction, which can damage it.
Also, oil leaks have a harmful impact on the environment, as it provokes toxic substances inside the engine to contaminate the environment.
When It’s Time For An Oil Changes?
Oil changing is one of the most common maintenance jobs you should perform in your car every once in a while.
Each car has its own time or milage amount to change its oil as instructed in the owner’s manual,
Experts recommend changing the oil every six months or every 7,000 to 10,000.
What Factors Affect The Price Of An Oil Leak Repair?
An oil leak repair service depends on the complexity of the problem, the size of the leak, where you take the vehicle for service, labor costs, replacement parts, and the year, make, and model of the car.
First, you will need a diagnosis to identify the cause of the oil leak; the diagnosis of an oil leak cause can cost $60 to $140 (this doesn’t include any repair and is usually added to the final cost).
Depending on the cause of the oil leak and the damaged part, the repair costs will vary; some of them are:
| Type of Oil Leak Repair | Prices |
| Damaged gasket | $75 to $200 |
| Damaged hose | $90 to $400+ |
| Damaged oil pan | $100 to $400 |
| Damaged piston | $600+ |
| Missing gasket | $50 to $100 |
| Oil filter leak | $50-$100 |
| Drain bung oil leak | $50-$100 |
| Transmission input shaft oil leak | $20-$50 |
So, the professional repair of an oil leak, including parts and labor, can cost from $150 to $1,500 or more depending on the damage, what needs to be done, and labor costs.
You can also try to use an additive oil sealant to stop the oil leak; on average, an oil sealant can cost $10 and is used to stop oil leaks from worn valves; here’s a video that lists the best oil sealants in the market.
Top Companies
You can get an oil leak repaired at car dealerships and auto repair shops like Midas, Mr. tire, NAPA, and Meineke.
Here’s a comparison between the prices and type of work auto repair shops offer:
| Company | Type of Work | Price Range |
| Midas | Parts and labor | $80 – $115 |
| Mr. Tire | Parts and labor | $80 – $115 |
| NAPA | Parts and labor | $80 – $115 |
You can get oil sealants from online retailers like AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, and Amazon.
Things to Consider
Before Buying:
- First, you need to make sure you have an oil leak and determine the cause. This video by Humble Mechanic shows you how to find oil leaks in your car.
- Make sure your car is leaking engine oil and not another substance. If the fluid is red, then transmission fluid; if it’s blue, then it can be windshield wiper fluid; if the fluid is pink, then it’s steering fluid, but if the fluid is dark brown, it’s engines oil.
- Try to use an additive to stop the oil leak first.
When Buying:
- The diagnosis made by professionals is an essential step in solving oil leaks.
- Usually, repairing an oil leak is a patch job, but it requires parts replacement in some cases.
- After the repair, the mechanic needs to ensure your car is not leaking oil from any other place.
After Buying:
- After the oil leak has been repaired, you’ll have to add more oil or make a full oil change. Sometimes this is included in the final costs of professional repair. An oil change can cost $18 to $60, depending on the type of oil used and where you do the oil change.
- Prevent oil leaks by performing the recommended maintenance service and regular oil change to your vehicle according to the manufacturer’s specification, and don’t wait for the “low oil” light to appear.
- If oil leaks are not addressed in time, this could lead to engine damage, which can cost $2,500 to $5,000 or more depending on what needs to be done or if the engine needs to be replaced.
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