Should I Repair If One Drop of Engine Oil Leaks Per Day?
3 Answers
One drop of engine oil leaking per day should be repaired. Below is relevant information about engine oil: 1. Introduction: Engine oil, also known as engine lubricant, with a density of approximately 0.91×10³ (kg/m³), serves functions such as lubrication and wear reduction, auxiliary cooling, sealing and leak prevention, rust and corrosion protection, as well as shock absorption. It is hailed as the 'blood' of automobiles. Engine oil consists of two components: base oil and additives. The base oil is the main constituent of lubricating oil, determining its fundamental properties, while additives compensate for and improve the shortcomings of the base oil's performance, imparting certain new characteristics, making them an essential part of lubricating oil. 2. Classification: Engine oils on the market can be broadly categorized into mineral oil and synthetic oil based on their base oil (vegetable oil is not considered due to its scarcity). Synthetic oils are further divided into full synthetic and semi-synthetic.
I've been running an auto repair shop for over a decade and have encountered many car owners with this kind of slow oil drip issue. Honestly, don't underestimate this small problem. Engine oil is like the blood of a car - even a slight shortage accelerates engine wear. Right now, it might just be a worn-out seal or a loose oil pan bolt, fixable for a few hundred bucks. But if left untreated, the oil seepage can swell belts and accelerate rusting of chassis components, eventually requiring a full oil pan replacement costing thousands. Last week, a procrastinating owner came in only when blue smoke emerged from the exhaust - piston rings were already damaged. The worst-case scenario? Oil dripping onto hot exhaust pipes causing fire hazards. During routine maintenance, always have mechanics check for leaks. Addressing minor issues early is the most cost-effective approach.
My own car also had an engine oil leak. At first, it was just a coin-sized drop every day. A friend at the auto repair shop said it might be due to aging valve cover gaskets or pinholes in the oil pan. Although it didn’t seem like a big issue, the oil stains on the ground were hard to clean and made the surface slippery. The key was having to check the oil dipstick every month—if it was significantly low, I had to top it up immediately. Once, I forgot to refill it, and the engine noise became extremely loud. The mechanic said prolonged oil shortage leads to insufficient lubrication, which can seriously damage the engine. I did the math—replacing a gasket costs around 300-400 RMB, but an engine overhaul would run into tens of thousands. Now, I get nervous whenever I see oil stains in the garage. My advice: get it checked early for peace of mind.
