How to Check for Oil Leaks in Your Engine

You should check your car for oil leaks immediately after you change the oil. It's also a good idea to check for leaks periodically. Repairing a small leak could ward off bigger problems later. Motor oil keeps the engine lubricated and your car running smoothly. Without enough oil, the engine could fail.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• White sheet, paper or cardboard

1. Put a piece of white paper or cardboard under the car, or use an old white sheet.
   

2. Start the engine. Let the engine run for a few minutes. Check the paper for stains. If there are stains, look for leaks around the filter and oil pan plug. Tighten up the filter and drain plug with a wrench if you see leaks.

3. Park your car with the sheet or paper underneath to look for oil leaks. Let the car sit for several hours or overnight.

4. Look for stains on the sheet. Identify the source of any stains by the location on the sheet and the color. Brownish black stains could be oil or transmission fluid. Reddish lighter color stains can be transmission or steering fluid. A stain that is colorless and not very oily is probably from brake fluid.

5. Find the leaks. Look over the entire engine, starting at the top. If the engine is covered with oil, first use a cleaner to dissolve the oil. Common areas for leaks include the drain plug, timer cover seals, bearing seals, valance cover gaskets, and oil filter,