If you have noticed oil leaking under the car when it’s just parked and not even running, don’t ignore it. It might look small, but this kind of leak can point to bigger problems. In this guide we will walk you through all the necessary information and details so you know when to call in the pros like car service near me or a mobile auto mechanic. Because if your car leaking oil when parked turns into car leaking oil when running, that’s a bigger headache.
Why Is Your Car Having an Oil Leak Underneath?
When you see car leaking oil underneath, the first thing to realise is that oil isn’t supposed to drip out of your engine or gearbox. It’s supposed to stay inside the system, lubricating and protecting. So when you spot a oil drip under car, that means a seal, hose, gasket or part has failed.
Common Causes Of Car Leaking Oil Causes Include
1. Worn-out gaskets (valve cover gasket, sump gasket)
2. Loose or missing drain plug or oil filter cap
3. Cracks or holes in the oil pan
4. Faulty oil pressure switch or other sensors
Damaged or poorly fitting seals around front or bottom of engine
Because you might see a car leaking oil from bottom of engine, or car leaking oil from front, you will want to do some basic checks.
Also Read: Reasons Why Your Car is Leaking Oil
How to Check for Oil Leaking Under Car
Here are the steps you should follow when your car leaking oil from bottom of engine or simply when you see a puddle under your vehicle:
1. Prepare safely – Park the car on a level surface, engage handbrake, turn off engine, let it cool down.
2. Inspect the drip area – Look under the car for fresh oil spots. Note the colour: engine oil is usually amber then dark brown, gearbox oil is darker. A visible car leaking oil when parked likely comes from the bottom of engine or around gaskets.
3. Check the engine bay from above – Remove engine cover (if any) and look for signs of oil seepage around the valve cover, timing-cover, or seals. This helps locate cars leaking oil underneath.
4. Check the oil level – Use the dipstick. If the oil level is significantly below the “last safe mark”, you might have car leaks oil after driving or just sitting.
5. Look at the oil pan and drain plug – The sump (oil pan) is often at the lowest point. If you see oil around the pan bolts or drain plug, it’s likely that’s the source of oil leaking under car.
6. Inspect seals and gaskets – The valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, crankshaft seal, and others can degrade. If they fail, you might get car leaking oil from front or side of engine.
7. Check hoses and connections – Look for any oil-carrying hoses (turbo oil feed/return, if applicable) that are cracked or loose. They can cause car leaking oil from bottom or even from the engine bay.
8. Look for sensor or switch leaks – Some sensors (oil pressure, oil temperature) have small o-rings and can weep oil. A little drip becomes a big mess. This is a common reason for car leaking oil from bottom of engine.
9. Consider internal leaks – If you have no external signs but oil level keeps dropping, the oil might be going into the exhaust or coolant. That’s more serious.
10. Make a plan – If you identified the source, either fix it yourself (if confident) or call in a professional. Search for “car mechanics near me”, “mobile mechanics Perth” or “towing car service Perth” if you aren’t mobile.
11. Post-repair check – After whatever fix you apply, monitor the area under the car for the next several days for new puddles or drips to confirm the issue is resolved.
These steps help you zero in on what’s causing car leaking oil under car, whether it’s sitting or after driving.
When Your Car Leaks Oil After Driving — What to Do
If your vehicle shows signs of car leaks oil after driving, the situation may be slightly different. Because when the engine is hot, different parts expand and different seals can fail. This means your car leaking oil when running might only appear after a drive.
Check for:
1. Gaskets or seals that fail when hot (e.g., valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket)
2. Loose bolts around the oil pan or filter housing
3. A damaged oil cooler or oil-return hose that only leaks under pressure
4. Areas of the engine that show fresh oil splattered (hot parts cause misting)
In these cases you still follow the same inspection steps as above, but pay attention to differences between a cold leak and a hot leak. A puddle under a car parked for hours might mean one thing; a drip right after a 40-minute drive might mean another.
Whether it’s car service near me or hiring mobile mechanics Perth, make sure they know you checked already and saw certain spots so they can focus their inspection quickly.
Why It’s Important to Fix Oil Leaks Promptly
Ignoring the problem of oil leaking under car might seem okay because the leak is small or just when parked, but there are risks:
Loss of engine oil will cause reduced lubrication → more wear and tear.
1. The oil may get hot & catch fire if it lands on hot exhaust parts.
2. Leaks can damage other components or contaminate others (rubber hoses, wiring).
3. Environmental impact: oily puddles are bad for driveways and local wildlife.
4. Insurance or resale value might be impacted if major repairs are needed later.
So when you see your car leaking oil underneath, or you search “car leaking oil from bottom of engine” and find yourself worried, act before the issue worsens.
Getting Professional Help: Auto Repair Services & Mobile Mechanics
If your inspection points to an issue you are not comfortable fixing yourself, it’s time to engage pro auto repair services. Search for mechanics in Perth or “mobile auto mechanic in Perth” if you are in that region. They often offer free car inspection or at least initial diagnostics. If your car is undrivable because of a major leak, you might need towing car service Perth to get it to the workshop safely.
When you speak to these professionals, mention all relevant situations: say you have “oil leaking under car”, “car leaking oil when running”, “car leaking oil from front” so they immediately know the scenario. Provide the steps you’ve done above so they can evaluate quicker and quote you accordingly.
FAQ’s
Q1. Why is my engine oil leaking only when I park the car?
Answer: 1
When the engine is off and cool, seals might contract, causing oil to drip. Also the oil collects at low points (like oil pan) and leaks slowly. That is why oil leaking under car when parked is common.
Q2. Can a simple leak become a major engine problem?
Answer: 2
Yes. A small leak can actually turn into oil starvation. Also external leaks may hide internal issues. If your car leaking oil after driving or car leaking oil from bottom of engine, get it checked.
Q3. Will mechanics find the leak easily?
Answer: 3
Often yes. But sometimes leaks are intermittent (only when hot) or internal (no puddle). That’s when specialists with pressure test or UV dye trace are required. If you looked under and saw car leaking oil underneath, share that with them.
Q4. Can I drive the car if a leak is small?
Answer: 4
You might, but it’s risky. Loss of oil can quickly lead to serious damage. If you see car leaking oil when running or from the bottom or front, best to avoid prolonged driving and get it looked at.
Q5. How much does a leak repair cost?
Answer: 5
It depends on the cause. A loose bolt might be cheap. A gasket replacing may cost more. Using “auto repair services” or “mobile mechanics Perth” you can get quotes. Mention the leak appeared when parked or only after driving to help them diagnose.
