What you need to know about truck oil leaks

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Noticing the ground under your truck is stained with a dark liquid? This is likely an oil spot caused from an oil leak somewhere in your vehicle. If you suspect you might have an oil leak, make sure you book in to see a mechanic as soon as possible in order to avoid doing major damage to your truck.

Common causes of oil leaks

Truck oil leaks can be irritating because they can be leaking from multiple areas on your vehicle. While there are many potential causes for an oil leak the most common causes are listed below.

The Oil Filter: When you haven’t had the oil filter in your truck changed very regularly it can become unaligned or its seal can loosen. The filters should always be checked and if needed changed each time you have the oil checked in your vehicle.
The Oil Drain Plug: The base of your oil tank has a drain plug to assist with removing old oil out of your engine. Over time, the threads on the plug wear down or become misaligned causing oil to escape. This issue is very noticeable, you will be able to see fresh oil around and down the sides of the plug.
The Oil Filler Cap: If you have noticed a pool of oil rather than a couple of drips, the oil filler cap could be causing the oil leak in your vehicle. The cap is located where the oil is placed into the engine. If the cap isn’t fitted correctly, becomes loose or is missing all together the pressure from the engine running can cause oil to leak out.
The Valve and Oil Pan Gasket: This is the most likely culprit of an oil leak in your truck, especially if your vehicle has driven its fair share of kilometres. The valve gasket is the seal located at the top of your engine to prevent oil leaks. Over time, oil begins to break down creating a sludge around the seals. This can lead to a build-up of pressure creating oil leaks and causing the seal of the gaskets to fail, especially in older trucks. The oil pan gasket can become damaged due to road debris as it is located on the underside of your vehicle. Any damage causing a dent in the oil pan can compromise the seal or oil drain plug.

​How to Stop Oil Leaks

If you do notice an oil leak in your vehicle call a qualified diesel mechanic to check the problem out. At Diesel West Mechanic Services, we provide mobile diesel engine servicing throughout the Perth metro area and to regional areas upon request. Our experienced diesel mechanics are experts at fault diagnosis and repair so you can be assured your diesel engine will perform at its best. Whether it’s trucks and trailers or civil and construction equipment, Diesel West make things easier for you.

For mobile diesel engine repairs and servicing, contact Diesel West Mechanical Services today on 0427 501 378 or fill in our online contact form.