Understanding Oil Leak Diagnostics: How We Help Keep Your Vehicle Leak-Free
Oil leaks can cause major headaches for vehicle owners if they are left untreated. Not only do they cause you to lose oil, but they can cause significant damage to your engine over time. At Graham Auto Repair our team of skilled technicians complete thorough oil leak diagnostics. We want to ensure your vehicle is running smoothly and leak-free! In this blog we'll walk you through how we diagnose oil leaks. We also have a recent example to share with you! Scroll down to see a video and details about a recent Ford F150 fleet vehicle that came in with an excessive oil leak.
How does an oil leak diagnostic work?
When a vehicle comes into our shop with oil leak concerns, we follow a detailed process to locate the source of the concern.
- Visual Inspection: Our technicians start by visually inspecting the engine bay and the vehicle's undercarriage. This helps us identify any obvious signs of leaks, such as oil pooling under the car or visible oil streaks.
- Dye Testing: If the source of the leak isn't immediately clear we add a UV-sensitive dye to the engine oil. After running the engine we use a UV light to trace the dye and pinpoint where the oil is leaking from. This method is highly effective for finding leaks that aren't easily visible with the naked eye.
- Vehicle Run Time: Depending on what we find, we may let the engine run for about 30 minutes. Other times we may need the customer to drive the vehicle for a few hundred miles before bringing it back for an inspection. This allows the dye to circulate and reveal even subtle leaks.
Watch our Video: A Fleet Vehicle Oil Leak Diagnostic
Case Study: 2011 Ford F150 Oil Leak Diagnostic
We recently had a 2011 Ford F150 from one of our fleet customers come in with a significant oil leak. Here's how we diagnosed and fixed this concern:
- The Concern: The customer came in for an oil change service along with our free vehicle inspection. During the inspection our technician noticed the oil was dark and low. There was no measurable oil on the dipstick when the truck arrived at our shop. Our technician shared photos with our customer to show that this was an excessive oil leak. He recommended that we clean up the oil under the vehicle and complete a dye test.
- Diagnostic Testing: After adding dye to the oil and cleaning off the residual oil under the vehicle, our technician began to run the engine. Almost immediately the dye became visible on the lower right side of the engine, concentrated around the crankshaft pulley. Further inspection revealed that the oil leak was coming from the front main seal, also known as the crankshaft front oil seal. The serpentine belt was moving the oil around, spreading it across the right side of the engine.
- The Repair: Based on our findings, our technician recommended to the customer that we replace the crankshaft front oil seal to fix the leak. The customer approved the repair and we completed the work, along with the other maintenance requests; including the oil and filter service, a battery general service (due to corrosion on the terminals), and replacing two light bulbs that had gone out.
Oil leaks are a common concern, especially for high-mileage vehicles like the 2011 Ford F150 we worked on recently. If you suspect your vehicle has an oil leak, or if you've noticed low oil levels, it's important to get it diagnosed as soon as possible. Our team of skilled technicians is ready to help you with any vehicle concerns, from oil leaks to engine repairs and beyond! Book with Graham Auto Repair today and let us help keep your engine running smoothly.
Want to Learn More Tips?
Comprehensive Inspections: Every service includes a thorough vehicle health inspection. We use advanced digital tools to provide detailed reports about your vehicle's health and wellness. You’ll receive photos and notes, making it easy to understand the current condition of your vehicle.
Expertise: Our experienced technicians complete annual training to stay up-to-date with the latest automotive technologies and techniques.
High Quality Parts and Service: We use high-quality parts for all repairs and services. This allows us to offer you a lifetime warranty on most parts and labor.
Customer Convenience: We offer after-hours pickup and drop-off to fit your busy schedule. We provide shuttle services for our local customers, and free loaner cars when scheduled in advance. Our air conditioned waiting area is supplied with drinks, snacks, Wi-Fi, TV, and a kid's play area.
