How to Pinpoint an Oil Leak Source (VIDEO)

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Anytime you try to narrow down the source of a leak under the hood, you may find smears of oil on a number of components. The key is to follow the trail to the farthest forward and highest point you can find. When the fluid leaks out, it will be pulled down by gravity, but it will also be pushed back by the air that passes through the engine bay when the vehicle is moving. This means that just because oil is dripping in the rear main seal area does not mean that this is the source of the oil leak. It can actually leak from one of the valve covers, then drip onto the engine block. These days it seems like engineers are trying to cram as many components into the engine bay as possible. There are so many obstacles. It can be difficult to see where the leak is coming from, and that makes it difficult to pinpoint the true source of the leak.

Be creative in your search. Use your flashlight, rearview mirror, even your phone’s camera to gain access to hard-to-reach areas around the engine bay. If you really have a problem, try adding fluorescent dye to the oil and using a UV light to determine the source of the leak. You may find that you need to clean all engine oil residue from the area, then start the engine and check again for leaks. Again, this can help you better determine the source of the leak. Do not neglect positive crankcase ventilation or PCV systems. The PCV system prevents crankcase gases from being emitted into the atmosphere. These crankcase gases pass through the oil separator, which separates the liquid engine oil and allows it to flow back into the engine oil pan. Then the gas itself will continue through the rest of the PCV system and into the intake system to be burned.

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This system is vulnerable to a number of potential problems. The rubber hose that carries the gas can degrade over time, becoming hard or even brittle. If any of these hoses starts leaking, the customer may notice a rough idle, a hard start, or a flashing check engine light. System scans may reveal fuel trim codes or bulk airflow. This is because the ECU may mark codes related to air measurement. If the PCV system is damaged, crankcase pressure can become so high that oil will be forced to leak past the gaskets and seals. This is why it is so important to check the PCV system and make sure it is working properly. Adding Bar’s Leaks Oil Seal Engine Oil Burning & Leak Repair will revitalize worn seals and gaskets, restoring them to like new performance. Safe and easy to use, this universal oil additive is guaranteed to stop engine oil loss with just one treatment. I’m Brian Sexton. Thank you for watching.

This video is sponsored by Bar’s Leaks.



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