Symptoms of a Bad or Faulty Oil Pan Gasket

Common signs include smoke coming from the engine, oil puddles under the vehicle, and lower than normal oil levels.

The main thing is that the oil level in your car remains at the proper level. There are so many different factors that affect how oil is retained in an engine. The oil pan is one of the most important elements for keeping oil where it should be. Engine oil pans hold most of the oil in the engine at any given time. The oil pan is installed under the bottom of the vehicle and sealed with an oil pan gasket. Usually this gasket is made of rubber and is attached to the pallet during installation.

The oil in the oil pan will leak out if the oil pan gasket is damaged or failed. The longer the oil pan gasket is on the vehicle, the more likely it is that it will need to be replaced. Here are some things you may notice when it's time to replace the oil pan gasket on your vehicle.

1. Problems with smoking

One of the most noticeable signs that an oil pan gasket needs replacing is smoke coming from the engine. This is usually caused by oil from the oil pan getting onto the exhaust manifold. Leaving this problem unresolved can cause damage to things like oxygen sensors or various other components due to oil soaking, which can cause sensors and gaskets to fail.

2. Engine overheating

Engine oil is part of what keeps the engine cool. Along with coolant, engine oil is used to reduce friction and heat in the engine. If the oil pan leaks and the oil level drops, the engine may overheat. Overheating of the engine can cause serious damage if left unattended.

3. Puddles of oil under the car

If you start to see puddles of oil appearing under the car, then it could be due to a faulty oil pan gasket. The rubber that the gasket is made of will begin to break down over time due to the amount of heat it is exposed to. Eventually, the gasket will start to leak and puddles of oil will form under the car. Failure to address this issue right away can lead to a whole host of problems such as low oil levels and oil pressure that can compromise the functionality of your vehicle.

4. Oil level below normal

In some cases, leakage through the oil pan gasket will be very small and almost imperceptible. Usually for leaks like this, the only warning sign you'll have is an oil level that's too low. Most vehicles on the market have a low oil indicator that comes on when there is a problem. Replacing the gasket will help stop the oil leak.

AvtoTachki can make oil pan gasket repairs easy by coming to your home or office to diagnose and fix problems. You can order the service online 24/7.