What are the effects of a damaged oil seal?
3 Answers
Automotive oil seals are critical mechanical components designed to contain oil, isolating the parts requiring lubrication from the output components in the transmission system. If damaged, they can lead to oil leakage. Here is additional information: 1. Oil Seal: The term 'oil seal' is a common designation for general sealing components, essentially referring to the sealing of lubricating oil to contain grease. Sealing elements used for static and dynamic sealing are called oil seals. The representative form is the TC oil seal, a double-lipped seal fully encased in rubber with a self-tightening spring, commonly referred to as the TC skeleton oil seal. 2. Precautions: If an oil seal starts leaking, it is imperative to replace it immediately at a 4S shop or repair facility. Prolonged leakage not only contaminates the engine with dirt and wastes engine oil but may also cause internal engine damage. Taking the valve oil seal as an example, if it leaks, it can lead to rapid engine oil consumption, resulting in oil burning phenomena.
Last time I came across an old Audi with a leaking oil seal that wasn't fixed in time, and the engine guard plate underneath was completely covered in oil sludge. When this thing fails, it starts with just a slight seepage, but gradually turns into dripping. The most annoying part is when engine oil leaks onto the drive shaft—the rubber boot quickly ages and cracks upon contact with oil, and then the CV joint goes bad too. When repairing, we found the clutch disc was soaked in oil and slipping, and the mechanic cursed nonstop while dismantling the transmission. Some car chassis rubber parts swell and deform when exposed to engine oil—that's how the steering tie rod dust boot got ruined. If the rear crankshaft oil seal leaks, it's even worse—the entire transmission has to be removed for replacement, and the labor cost alone could buy several sets of oil seals.
My Wuling Hongguang had a crankshaft front oil seal leak before, and I didn’t take it seriously at first. After driving for half a month, I noticed the engine oil was mysteriously decreasing, and only when I smelled a burning odor did I panic. The mechanic said leaking oil could splash onto the alternator belt, and if the belt is soaked in oil, it won’t take long for it to crack. The most dangerous scenario is for models with a low-positioned power steering fluid reservoir—if oil leaks onto the power steering pump belt, you could suddenly lose power steering. Additionally, for front-wheel-drive cars, a leaking driveshaft oil seal can corrode the brake fluid lines. Rubber hoses swelling and cracking due to oil exposure is no joke. Never use makeshift fixes like flour to stop the leak, as high temperatures can cause it to clump and block oil passages.
