Oil leak - brown or black puddle under the car

Symptoms

• Dark brown or black oily puddle appears under the engine area after parking
• Oil level on the dipstick reads low
• Sometimes a faint burning smell if oil drips onto a hot exhaust part
• Oil spots appear more after longer drives or when the car has been sitting

Likely causes

• CommonValve cover gasket leakA common, moderately easy fix; oil seeps from the top of the engine and can drip down the sides.
• CommonOil pan gasket or drain plug leakLeaks directly from the bottom of the engine, sometimes worsened by an over-tightened or stripped drain plug.
• CommonOil filter not seated or tightened properlyEspecially common shortly after an oil change if the filter was installed incorrectly.
• PossibleRear main seal leakA seal where the engine meets the transmission; leaks tend to appear as oil accumulating near the bell housing area and can be more involved to fix.
• PossibleTiming cover or front seal leakLeaks near the front of the engine, sometimes near the crank pulley.

What to do

1. Check the oil level on the dipstick and top off if low, noting how much was needed.
2. Clean the underside of the engine with degreaser (or note the general area) and drive a short distance, then look underneath again to spot fresh oil and trace its path upward to the source.
3. Check the oil filter and drain plug for tightness and any obvious dripping if an oil change was done recently.
4. Look at the valve cover gasket area (top sides of the engine) for oily residue or dried oil buildup.
5. Check near the bottom rear of the engine, where it meets the transmission, for oil suggesting a rear main seal leak.
6. Keep an eye on oil level between checks and don't let it run low, since low oil can cause serious engine damage.

Tools and parts

• Degreaser spray
• Flashlight
• Disposable gloves

When to call a pro

See a mechanic if you can't trace the leak yourself, if oil is dripping near the exhaust (burning smell risk), or if the leak is from the rear main seal or timing cover, since these are more involved repairs.

Safety