Finding an oil leak can be a difficult task. Especially in today’s vehicles due to the overwhelming amount of plastic shielding and covers used, oil leaks can disguise themselves and be near impossible to detect. If you’ve grown up looking under the hood, then you’ve probably noticed the increasing amount of plastic covers and shields being used in the engine bays of new vehicles today. So what is all the plastic about? The plastic covers that are new being installed on top of engines are today’s replacements for wire coverings. Older vehicles would individually cover or hide wires in looms and conduits. Automobile manufacturers have found it’s easier and less expensive to simply put a large cover over the entire motor rather than dressing up or covering individual components.
Besides the plastic covers on top of your engine, many vehicles also have a significant amount of plastic coverings under the car as well. The main purpose of the under vehicle coverings is to direct air flow. The plastic shields help direct air flow through your vehicle’s radiator and out of the back of the engine compartment helping to keep your vehicle cool as well as direct air around your vehicle while driving to help increase aerodynamics and reduce drag. If you have to remove any of this plastic shielding during any maintenance on your vehicle it’s important to replace it once the maintenance is complete to ensure proper cooling and aerodynamics of your vehicle.
How do I find the location of an oil leak?
Even though the plastic shields under your vehicle are there for a reason, they still can make it extremely difficult to determine the location of an oil leak. The starting point for discovering the location of any oil leak is by looking at the location of any drips you see on the ground after parking your vehicle. Plastic shielding under your vehicle may catch these drips and make it difficult to get an accurate idea of the leak location or leak severity.
If you’ve discovered an oil leak, the best way to find its location is to remove all the plastic shielding and climb under your vehicle with a flash light and mechanics mirror. Before you roll under your vehicle, make sure it’s not running, in park with the emergency brake on, and the wheels securely chocked for your safety. Once you’re under your engine, start looking for fresh oil. If oil has been slowly leaking for a long time it will have attracted a significant amount of road dirt and grime and will look more like black mud or dirt stuck to your motor. A fresh oil leak can be identified by wet, shiny oil spots dripping down your engine block or oil pan. As oil drips it will drip down your motor but also towards the back of your car as the air blows over your motor while you drive.
As you search for fresh oil, start your search at the bottom rear on the engine bay and move your way forward and up. The highest and most forward point you discover oil will be at the source of the leak. Don’t be fooled by oil leaking from a higher source down onto another component. If you have an extremely old vehicle, or dirty engine with multiple oil leaks it may be necessary to clean your engine to remove old oil and leaks to help identify the actual source. You can clean your engine using engine degreaser available at your local auto parts store or at a carwash using the under carriage cleaning option. After you’ve cleaned up your motor, go for a quick drive and then start your search for your leak.
If all this sounds like a lot of work and a long time on your back in the driveway, you’re right. Unless you get lucky and have an oil leak in an easy to identify location such as a valve cover gasket or oil pan gasket, you may be in for a lot of crawling around with dirt and dust falling in your eyes.
Can BlueDevil help me find the leak?
The great news is BlueDevil has developed an easier way to find your oil leak. If you add BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak to your engine oil, it will seek out your oil leak from the inside of your engine, and when it finds the leak it will create a seal. BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak is a liquid leak sealer that will not harm or clog your engine in anyway. BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak will mix with your engine oil to create a powerful seal conditioner that will revitalize and restore the seals and gaskets in your engine returning them to their original size sealing your oil leak. BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak can save you the time and discomfort of rolling around in your driveway and help return your car to its normal, reliable operation.
BlueDevil Products can be found on Amazon.com or at AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA, and other major auto parts retailers.
40 responses to "How Can I Find My Oil Leak?"
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Do I need to add Stop Oil Leak every time I change oil?
Thanks
Hermann Ougland
Hermann-
No, it only needs to be added one time; it creates a permanent seal.
-BDP
Does it stop really bad leaks or just sample onces?
Gabriel-
The BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak is intended for leaks that are dripping or seeping out. If you are losing oil at a rapid rate, you would not be able to keep the product in the system long enough for it to seal.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a Nissan cube 2010, I took my car to have the socks checked, and when they raised it it had a very slow oil leak, it hasn’t hit the ground yet, but it is on the oil pan. I check the motor oil and it’s OK, the color of the motor oil is the same as the oil on the bottom of the oil pan. Can I pour blue devil into it so it will fix it or do I need to know positively if that is the leak
Mercedes-
Based on your description, it would be safe to use the BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak. Typically, you should start to see results after about 100-200 miles of driving.
Thank you!
-BDP
How much do I add to my vehicle the whole bottle?
German-
One bottle of the BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak will treat 4-6 quarts of oil. You may check your owner’s manual to find your oil capacity and then you can add the appropriate amount of the product.
Thank you!
-BDP
If the car is losing about 1 quart in 60 miles will blue devil seal it
Arthur-
Unfortunately, it sounds like the leak you experiencing is a little bit too extreme for what BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak is intended for.
Thank you!
-BDP
Mine leaks a quart every 600 miles. Would your product help?
Don-
Based on your description, the BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak would be able to help seal your leak. You should expect to see improvement after about 100-200 miles of driving.
Thank you!
-BDP
I’m considering buying a car that the owner advised me had a small oil leak. He says he’s pretty sure it was caused by his brother losing the original oil pan plug and replacing it with an incorrect size. When I showed up to test drive the car, the owner informed me he had just used your product, but that it wasn’t supposed to be driven for a particular period of time after your product was added and it had only been about half the time he indicated. It was test driven a few blocks at this time. My first question is will having driven it before the specified time cause it to be ineffective.
My second question is I’m considering taking it for an oil change after I purchase it (if I go forward with the purchase). How soon is it safe to change the oil. I
Naomi-
In order to get the benefit of using the product, the vehicle would need to be driven about 100-200 miles before you would start to notice improvement. There is no specified time that the vehicle must rest when the product is added. It does not have to be a continuous drive. You are fine to go 5, 10 mile intervals, it would just be around the 100 mile mark before you would start to notice any kind of results. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi good day I have chavrlot opera 2010 I have just fix about oil licking down but still licking so can I put stop oil licking in my engine thanks
Sajid-
Thank you for asking about your Chevrolet Optra. Based on your description, we recommend using the BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak. You should expect to see results after about 100-200 miles of driving.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have 2002 Chevy Suburban. It is losing oil but its not leaving a oil spot on the ground. Where could my oil leak be coming from or is it leaking at all and will Blue Devil help my problem. Thanks in advance
Domanick-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Suburban. Based on your description, we recommend using the BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak. The Oil Stop Leak is a universal application and will treat a leaking oil pan gasket, valve cover seal, rear main seal, etc. You should expect to see results after about 100-200 miles of driving.
Thank you!
-BDP
hello can blue devil be used on a diesel motor ? if so how many ounces for a motor w 12 quarts of oil in the pan .
Jeff-
Yes, BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak is can be used on diesel motors. One 8 oz. bottle would treat 4-6 quarts of oil. You would need two bottles for a 12 quart system.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2004 f150 just replaced the engine with a remanufactured engine and somehow I have an oil leak losing about a quart every hundred miles
Chris-
Thank you for asking about your Ford F-150. Based on your description, we recommend using the BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak http://store.gobdp.com/oil-stop-leak-49499/. You should expect to see results after about 100-200 miles of driving.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a Yamaha r6 motorcycle with an oil leak that is a slow drip but will not leak when parked therefore allowing your product to stay in the system, will I benefit from using blue devil? Can it be used in a motorcycle?
Jim-
Yes, the BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak is safe and compatible to use in your Yamaha r6. You should expect to see results after about 100-200 miles of driving.
Thank you!
-BDP
So this doesn’t harm the engine at all? I have heard a lot of these products are not good for your engine? How much do you use on 2008 mercury Milan ? And due for oil change too. Before of after the oil change?
Tara-
The BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak http://store.gobdp.com/oil-stop-leak-49499/ does not harden or thicken in anyway, so it would not have any adverse affects on the engine or on the system itself. It works by revitalizing and recondition the rubbers in the system, and slightly expanding them back to their original state. One 8 oz. bottle would treat 4-6 quarts of oil. If you are due for an oil change, we recommend changing the oil first. Typically, you should expect to see results after about 100-200 miles of driving and the product can stay in the oil for the life of the oil.
Thank you!
-BDP
And does this have to go into car then every oil change?
Tara-
Once the product seals, it would create a permanent seal. You should only need to use the product once. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
I just change oil and is leaking at a very slow paste but I can’t see from where cause it seem to happen when the car sit overnight. Do I have to do another oil change or can I just pour the blue devil product.
Sergio-
You can go ahead and add BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak to the existing oil. Expect to start seeing results after approximately 100 miles of driving.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi
Am in the UK, firstly can I get hold of this product ?
Secondly I have scrambled around trying to locate the leak to no use, as has another mechanic to no avail either.
Its a BMW 120d Coupe, and I would say it looses around 100mls for every 500 miles if that. Would this be the way to go ?
Steve-
Thank you for asking about your BMW 120d. Based on your description, if you are not quite sure where the leak is coming from, the BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak (https://store.gobdp.com/oil-stop-leak-49499/) would be your best bet. The product is available for purchase on our website. Simply add the item to your “cart” and follow the prompts to add your billing and shipping information.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi I’ve noticed I’ve got an oil leak I’m not sure where it’s coming from it’s just had a head gasket repair, after about a 10 minute drive and getting out of the car it smells of burnt oil quite bad, Google says it could be leaking onto the exhaust which is a fire hazard, would blue devil stop this?
April-
Based on your description, we recommend using the BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak (https://store.gobdp.com/oil-stop-leak-49499/). Oil Stop Leak would treat various leak points, such as a leaking oil pan gasket, valve cover seal, rear main seal, etc. You should expect to see results after approximately 100-200 miles of driving.
Thank you!
-BDP
i have seen several areas under my hood where there is fresh oil and i can smell it. I don’t have the money to fix it right now. Do you think this product would help with that?
Tammy-
Based on your description, we recommend using the BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak. The Oil Stop Leak is a universal application, and would treat leaking oil pan gaskets, valve cover seals, rear main seal, etc. You should expect to see results after approximately 100-200 miles of driving.
Thank you!
-BDP
hello
i have a 2007 ford fusion and i have a recall on my car so it has sat in the street in front of my house for about two months with me only starting it becasue of the recall the dealer stated NOT to drive it until they find a fix for my car so i cant drive it the 100-200 miles to get your product to work. so if i fill the oil in my car and run it without driving it will your product still work without driving it??? also i ran the car for about 20minutes becasue my battery was dead then came outside and noticed about a foot and ahalf by a foot and a half oil spot. will your product help me????? i’m up to try ANYTHING right now.
Robert-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Fusion. In order to get the benefit of using the product, you would need to actually drive the vehicle. It does not have to be a continuous drive. You are fine to go in 5-10 mile intervals here and there, or drive it like you normally would. What is the recall on? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we may get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I was looking to try and fix my leak on my car using the B.D. Oil stop leak and I went ahead and got new Mobile 1 oil and filter (what I used for all my oil changes) for my car which holds about 5 quarts of oil. I changed it and drove for a little over 2 hours with it the first time and then over the next day or so back and forth to work which is about 22 miles round trip and maybe around town running errands and I noticed that it wasn’t leaking for a while when I let it sit but after maybe a day or two I saw that it started back leaking again. I was wondering if I should try again seeing that my oil has run back out. Also is I know one bottle is recommended for I believe 4 to 6 quarts but would it help if I was to add a second bottle in along with the oil change or with the oil running back out over time basically be to big of a leak??
Carter-
Typically with the BlueDevil Oil Stop Leak, you would expect to start seeing results after approximately 100-200 miles of driving. The fact that you have noticed improvement is definetely a good sign. If you have gone over 200 miles of driving, a second application would be worth while. Please contact our technical supportl ine at 888-863-0426 so that we may assist you in receiving a complimentary replacement bottle.
Thank you!
-BDP