Although your Volkswagen is among the most reliably manufactured vehicles in the world, it is still likely to experience some performance issues from time to time. It’s important to keep a close eye on your engine’s performance on a regular basis to ensure you catch any problems or general abnormalities as early as possible.
One of the most common problems Volkswagen drivers, like any other car owner, are likely to experience is the leaking of oil in the engine. This can be from wear and tear over time, impacts to certain engine components, or more. Since an oil leak can be correlated to a plethora of system or component malfunctions, it is important to bring up any abnormalities you notice to an experienced professional to prevent any further damage.
Signs of an Oil Leak From the Engine
A few things to look out for when you suspect an oil leak from your vehicle are smoke escaping from the exhaust, reduced fuel efficiency, and puddles underneath your vehicle.
Blue or Gray Smoke
Particularly with the smoke, you will want to watch for plumes that have either a blue or gray tint. This is due to the oil having mixed with the waste gases that are being expelled from the engine. This could indicate that the oil is either leaking into engine components or splashing onto them and being burned. You will also smell a very strong odor when this smoke is seen. Additionally, you can keep an eye on the engine oil levels with your dipstick. If you are losing oil in excess, your levels will go down noticeably quickly.
Reduced Fuel Efficiency
When your vehicle is not being supplied enough oil to lubricate the functioning components, it can substantially increase the difficulty with which the engine performs its job, meaning it has to work harder and potentially consume more fuel. This will negatively affect your fuel consumption and begin to chip away at your VW’s fuel economy.
Puddle of Oil Underneath Your Vehicle
One of the easiest and most straight-forward ways of identifying an oil leak is by simply checking underneath your vehicle after it has been parked for an extended period.
Cause of Oil Leaks
Many oil leaks are due to wear of the vehicle over time. The engine components are constantly exposed to high temperatures for long periods and responsible for maintaining an accurate ratio of air-to-fuel, movement of coolant throughout the engine, and more. Over time, it is inevitable that these pieces will wear and either experience cracks or compromised gaskets and seals. It is not necessarily a cause for alarm if you happen to notice that your vehicle has begun displaying signs of an oil leak. Regardless, it is advised that you have the problem looked at so it is properly diagnosed.
Can I drive with an oil leak?
You may be able to drive for a short distance with an ongoing oil leak, but it is not advised to continue driving at all once you notice the problem. This is because, as mentioned previously, leaking oil levels will exacerbate the amount of oil lost during vehicle operation, and so take away the means by which your engine is lubricated. This causes overheating of the engine and can introduce further damages that would not have otherwise occurred if the vehicle hadn’t been driven when the problem arose.
Ways to Repair Engine Oil Leaks in Your VW
There are many online tutorials and DIY blogs about how to fix your engine and any related damages or leaks. However, the best decision you can make for you and your vehicle is to bring it to an expert mechanic at 4 Rings European Autowerx.
At 4 Rings, we have the best experts in Ft. Lauderdale’s European auto repair and service. We provide high-quality repairs to BMW, Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen, Mercedes, and more. Our practice is family-owned and operated, and we offer free inspections, so you can be sure that we treat each repair as if the vehicle were our own. We provide dealership quality service without the high costs and excessive wait times.
Our services can be found in Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise, Pompano Beach, and Oakland Park, FL. Call us today for repair, service, oil change, and many other services you may need.