Oil Leak Repair Costs

If you’ve ever pulled out of a parking spot and noticed a grease stain where your car just stood, then you’ve seen an oil leak.

An engine oil leak is not something you want your car to have and it needs to be taken care of as soon as possible to avoid engine issues.

Below, we go over what an oil leak is, why it’s happening, and how much it can cost to repair it. We will also discuss alternative options if an oil leak repair costs more than it’s worth.

What Causes Oil Leaks?

An oil leak is most often located around your engine. It can come from any of the various parts that make up the engine including hoses, gaskets, and seals. As a result, you’ll notice a puddle of dark brown or black oil under your engine if you have a leak.

These are some of the most common reasons for an oil leak:

• Degraded engine gaskets

• Worn-out seals

• Loose or missing oil pan drain plug

• Deteriorated valve cover gaskets

• Front and rear crankshaft seal damage

• Damaged oil pan

These parts can be damaged due to:

• Normal wear and tear as your vehicle ages

• Debris on the road colliding with your vehicle

• Collisions with objects or other vehicles

Besides an oil stain under your car, you might also notice blue smoke coming from the hood of your vehicle or exhaust and a strong burning smell.

Can An Oil Leak Cause Overheating?

In short, yes, an engine oil leak can cause overheating.

That is because motor oil helps to control engine temperature by minimizing friction. If you have an oil leak, then there is less oil present to keep things running smoothly. As a result, you might notice your engine temperature rising.

If left untreated, your engine can fail.

You can check the level of engine oil yourself by inspecting the dipstick. You can determine if your engine oil is leaking if the oil covering the dipstick is below the minimum line.

You want your engine to have plenty of motor oil at all times so that all components that need it are properly lubricated. Insufficient oil can eventually cause your engine to seize and you’ll have an expensive repair on your hands.

How To Fix An Oil Leak

Oil leak repair depends on its cause. Some leaks are easy to fix and can fit into your budget while others can be extensive and costly. This is especially the case if you have an older model vehicle.

When you take your car to a repair shop for an oil leak, a mechanic will first need to find the source of the leak. There may be more than one if your car is old or if you’ve been in an accident.

Once the leak is found, your mechanic will need to replace the part or parts. In some cases, you’ll need to wait several days for the part to arrive.

After the leaky part is fixed, an oil change will also be needed to replace the lost motor oil.

How Much Does It Cost To Fix An Oil Leak?

Oil leak repair costs vary depending on the cause of the issue. For instance, if you need to replace a small part, you can expect to spend less than $100 per part. Here are a few common part replacements and their costs:

• Valve cover gasket: $20-$80

• Seals: $5 - $70

• Oil pan drain plug: $5-$20

• Oil pan and gasket: $45-$165

Other engine components cost more to repair or replace:

• Timing belt: $6 - $800

• Crankshaft: $200 - $6,275

• Oil cooler lines: $90-$400

• Crankshaft seal: $50 - $542

• Head gasket: $260 - $1,000

Your car technician will also have to fill up your oil to replace the amount lost. Depending on your vehicle and the type of motor oil that you need, you will likely be spending between $75 and $120 on this service.

You also need to account for labor which can cost anywhere from $70-$150 per hour.

Sell Your Leaking Car Online

While you can go through the trouble of fixing your leaking car, there is another option if the repairs cost more than your car is worth.

Junk Car Masters is your go-to source for selling your leaking and broken car. We purchase cars with all kinds of issues and are happy to buy yours. Here’s how the process works:

1. Input your vehicle details into our calculator.

2. Get your fair-market quote.

3. Accept our offer.

4. Schedule your vehicle pick-up.

5. Get your car towed away in 24 to 48 hours.

Getting your car picked up is completely free and you get payment on the spot when we pick up the car!

Get an estimate for your leaking car today and get paid for it in 24 to 48 hours!