Q: I am having an oil leak coming from the bottom and the top of my engine, what could cause this?

asked by on October 23, 2016

I have a oil leak, it isn't too bad. My muffler smokes a lot and it leaks. Oil is coming from the bottom of the engine and on the middle of the engine where the crease is. What could cause this?

My car has 180000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Valve Cover Gasket Replacement $116.41 - $1190.97 Get a Quote
Oil Pan Replacement $294.47 - $1359.54 Get a Quote
Oil Pan Gasket Replacement $218.74 - $649.06 Get a Quote
Oil/Fluid Leak Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi there. Most of the time these leaks come from the valve cover gaskets or the upper oil pan area. If the leak is really small, it can be caused by a failure in the PVC system. If the leak cannot be easily found, then I would usually put some dye in the oil to find the leak. If there is a leak in either of these spots, then the gaskets would need to be replaced. If you want to have this oil leak fixed, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose and repair this.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I adjust the fan speed?
The fan speed can be adjusted to any one of seven speeds. To adjust the fan, press the up or down buttons on the fan switch. The fan speed will then be shown on the display, so you know what...
Car battery overheating
This is a safety hazard and should be addressed by a certified mechanic. Battery's hold down brackets often become loose and can get caught between the battery's posts causing a short. This can mean a wiring problem (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/service-battery-cables) that can...
ABS warning light on
ABS and ESC are use the same system to achieve different results. ABS will take control of braking when a slip is detected. ESC is stability control. It provides braking on certain wheels when a slide is detected through a...
Power steering gear box leaking
Although I have seen the gearboxes leak in the field, the more common place they tend to leak is the power steering lines themselves, and occasionally from the pumps. I would start by cleaning off all the surfaced of the...
My rear wheel is leaking bad - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
It sounds like you have blown out a brake wheel cylinder piston. You should not drive the vehicle with no brakes. Have the brakes inspected and repaired as needed by a mechanic. You will most likely need, at the minimum,...
Car cranks but does not start
Hello and thank you for contacting YourMechanic. The fault for the car access system is displayed from the Control Module Car Access (CAS). The CAS is located under the dash by the steering column. Disconnect the battery ground to the...
Transmission actualization (updated)
Hello - If i understand you correctly, you are asking where the 5 solenoids (you refer to them as "actualizations") for this transmission (4T60E) are located. These solenoids are mounted to the transmissions valve body, which is located inside an...
Temp Gauge marks higher than usual
Hi There, It sounds like your vehicle tends to overheat when sitting at an idle more often than when driving at highway speeds. It sounds like you may have a faulty coolant fan relay (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/cooling-fan-relay-replacement). The coolant fan relay helps...
I have a 2002 Ford F-150 single cab has a rod knock and dies while driving
Hi There, The rod knocking you are hearing in your 2002 F150 may be related to a rod bearing that is beginning to fail. Adding additional oil to the motor may temporarily solve this, but it will eventually come back...

Related articles

How Do You Know If the Oil Pressure Gauge Is Bad?
The oil pressure in a vehicle engine plays an important role in making sure that lubricants reach the areas they need to,...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Massage Therapist
If If you're a massage therapist, one of the cornerstones of your business has to be that you don’t keep your clients waiting. That means you need a vehicle that’s reliable. You also will have to move your gear, including...
How Long Does a Muffler Last?
A A car is a very complicated piece of machinery. In order for the car that you have to run as intended, all of its components will have to work as intended. Taking the time to have a car inspected...