Drivers know and trust Volvos for their enduring performance and safety features, but even the best cars need care and maintenance to prevent wear, damage, or safety hazards. Oil leaks are a sign that something has gone wrong in your Volvo’s engine, and should be diagnosed and repaired quickly to prevent further damage. So you know what to watch out for, our Prestige Auto Tech team will run you through common causes of Volvo oil leaks to help you identify the problem quickly.
Why Are Oil Leaks from a Volvo Important?
When a car leaks oil, there is more at stake than just a stain on the driveway. A Volvo’s engine runs smoothly without overheating because the oil is there to act as a lubricant. If there is an oil leak, the amount of lubrication decreases, likely leading to an overheating engine, poor performance, damage to the machinery, and potentially even a complete engine failure. The leaked oil itself can also be a safety hazard. Oil makes the roads slippery, and that and any oil that leaked onto the engine are potential fire risks.
Puddles of oil beneath your Volvo or trails of it behind you as you drive are clear signs that you have an oil leak, but sometimes leaks are not so blatant. Volvo oil leaks can also reveal themselves through a burning oil smell, a quick drop on your oil level indicator on your dashboard, an engine warning light, or just poor engine performance.
Causes of Volvo Oil Leaks
As one would expect, most Volvo oil leaks originate from the engine, as it is made up of many different parts that can degrade or wear out. These are the engine parts that are most likely to be the cause of any oil leaks.
Volvo Oil Pan Leaks
The oil pan can take damage from rough driving conditions and debris kicked up from the road since it sits at the bottom of the engine. If the pan cracks, oil can leak through to the road. Additionally, the oil drain plug in the pan can leak if the plug is stripped or not fully tightened.
Oil Leaks From Seals and Gaskets
Oil leaks frequently come from faulty, weakening, or damaged gaskets and seals around the engine. Your Volvo’s valve cover gasket, for example, creates a seal between the engine and the valve cover up above. Over time, the heat of the engine can make the gasket brittle, leading to damage, an ineffective seal, and leaking oil. Similarly, the crankshaft seals at each end of the engine prevents oil from leaking from the crankshaft to the timing cover. If the seal fails — from wear over time or general damage — the crankshaft will lose needed oil.
Oil Filter Leaks
Your Volvo’s oil filter works to keep your engine oil free of contaminants so it can keep the engine running smoothly. If the filter is faulty, damaged, or installed incorrectly, it cannot keep the oil clean and may start to leak oil. Usually these leaks are pretty localized to the area around the filter, so the problem can often be identified quickly.
Volvo Turbocharger Oil Leaks
Some Volvos utilize turbocharger systems in their engine rather than using a naturally aspirated engine. The turbo system’s turbines and other components require oil for proper lubrication, so it introduces more opportunities for leaks in the forms of seals, oil supply lines, and oil return lines.
How To Prevent Oil Leaks in Your Volvo
As with any potential car issue, maintenance is the best preventative. To keep your Volvo ahead of any oil leaks, stay on top of scheduled maintenance services like oil changes and filter changes. Ensure that the car gets regular inspections — we recommend professional inspections annually and doing your own inspections routinely between appointments — so any signs of wear and tear can be caught before they become costly repairs.
If you do notice any of the signs mentioned above indicating a leak, don’t wait. Bring your Volvo in to your closest Prestige Auto Tech location as soon as you can for quick repairs with quality parts by expert technicians. Putting the repairs off will only lead to more damage, meaning more needed repairs and higher costs. If you need repairs now, your Volvo needs an oil change, or you have any other questions, visit your Miami Volvo auto shop, Prestige Auto Tech, at any of our five locations. Give us a call, schedule an appointment, or stop by for expert Volvo care.