how bad can an oil leak affect my car? can it be fixed anyhow?

Question

it's my first car but is a used toyota corrola in a very good condition, just with the oil leak.

Answer 1

Remember one drop of oil on cement goes to the size of a half dollar, so 1 or 2 drops may seem bad, but its not.

Most people think that when they have to add oil to the engine, its because of the oil leak, but most of the time its not.

Oil leak won't affect an engine, as long as there is oil in it.

Answer 2

WHERE the oil leak is would determine how bad it could get. There are some simple things that could cause it. One that's irritating is when the drain plug is leaking. Some vehicles have a washer of sorts made of tough rubber that, when it breaks down, will leak. Sometimes, its from the drain plug, which is actually a bolt, getting cross-threaded, in which case it requires replacement.

Another easy-to-fix problem is gaskets. There's a gasket on the oil pan that is, in most cases, pretty easy to replace. The valve covers could be the problem, but in Toyota Corollas, depending on the year, wouldn't have that problem.

If the head is where it's losing oil (under the throttle body-- fuel injection) then you have your work cut out for you and it needs done by a professional. Also, if the head gasket is blown or the head itself is cracked, that's bad juju. Oil could be seeping into the water or the gas (it will smoke if it's doing this).



As long as you check your oil often, keep the oil level up between oil changes and don't let it get low, you could go awhile with the leak without doing any damage. Check your oil and find out how fast a leak it has and then you'll know how often you will need to add some.



Another interesting thing about leaks. I had a vehicle that leaked around the drain plug every so often. I found out that it was when the oil had started breaking down that it was thin enough to leak. If I didn't go past the time to change the oil, it wouldn't leak, so when it started leaking, I knew it was time to change it and POOF! leak was gone. That actually was beneficial, as I didn't have to keep tabs on my mileage to change the oil!



Toyota Corollas tend to be good cars. They run for quite some time, as far as mileage. While their parts can get a little more expensive, in the long run, since you won't have to replace them as often, you'll come out ahead. Good luck. Keep tabs on that oil.

Answer 3

ANY oil leak can be fixed. Some cheaply, some not.



If it's a SMALL leak, like only a small puddle each day, just keep a bottle of oil in your car and top it off every day, until it gets much worse. That will give you time to save up some money for the repair.



Remember, the marks on the stick represent 1 quart, so if the indicated level is between the marks, it needs 1/2 quart.

Answer 4

Depends on how much oil you are losing. There are lots of places where your car can lose oil : head gaskets, main seal, rear seal, oil-line or oil pump or even a hole in the oil pan. If you put kitty litter under your car where you usually park you can see where its coming from. Oil leaks are always something that must be repaired. If you lose all the oil the motor will seize and that is a major cost to replace.

I suggest taking your car to a mechanic you trust and have him or her check it out. No oil leak cannot be repaired and in my experience it is better to spend a little now instead of a lot later.

Answer 5

Almost anything that is broken ca nbe fixed. Sometimes the cost of fixing it may exceed the value of the car. If this happens, it is in your best interest to find someone who repairs there own car, sell it to them, and buy yourself a different car.



An oil leak can harm many things, not just the engine itself. It can cause damage to cv boots by getting road grime stuck to the oil wich in turn maybe something that may cut your CV boots up.



Don't wait very long to have a professional look at it. Get a few opinions, and don't pay for someone to diagnose your problem.



Best of wishes



Blessings

Answer 6

Ummm sure sure it truly is undesirable in case your motor vehicle leaks oil it meant to lube you engine no longer the floor it should be leaking a lil bit now yet u let it bypass it is going to only worsen and it ought to plausible be fouling up ur plugs in case you both have blowby on your earrings or a crack in on of the cylinders or undesirable head gasget all noticealbe in spite of the indisputable fact that no matter if it truly is one in each and every of those and may maximum in all probability foul one no longer all in spite of the indisputable fact that go away ur foot off the gasoline even as u start up it perchance it truly is y their fouling up properly good success and whear is the oil leaking from repost this question and say whear its leaking from headgasket valve conceal gasket oil pan gasket are many of the most basic places whear oil leaks from may help trmendisley for individuals to assert what it should be

Answer 7

Most likely the pan gasket .. if not, have the Toyota tech check the rear main seal and or camshaft seal.. is there oil visible on top of the motor? Valve cover gasket in that case.

Answer 8

Fix the leak immediately before you have so little oil that you damage the engine.

Answer 9

If the leak is a few drips per day - no big deal. If you are losing a quart per week - then keep checking oil level daily.

Answer 10

Get it fixed. Otherwise you must constantly add oil so you don't destroy your engine....the cost of motor oil can add up in the long run so might as well spend the money now for repair.

Answer 11

Well if there is not enough oil in the engine it will wear prematurely and cause your car to seize up. It would be very bad