How To Find Fluid Leaks In A Vehicle

Puddles on the garage floor or drive, or obvious wetness under the bonnet / under the vehicle suggest a leak that needs investigating. It is sometimes difficult to determine where the leak is coming from, especially if engine under-shields are fitted.

Engine oil may leak from the sump drain plug or from the base of the oil filter.

A sump pan collects the oil, water and coolant that have already made their way around your engine. A sump plug allows you to drain the pan. Get best prices on sump pans and plugs of all shapes and sizes from Car Parts 4 Less.

The sump pan sits under the engine block. There are both wet and dry versions, but most road vehicles use the wet version. In fact, dry sumps are used almost exclusively for motor racing; they collect oil from the engine but then redistribute it via a pump, which leaves the sump dry.

By contrast, wet sump pans don’t redistribute the fluid and must be emptied when they get too full. The sump plug is a bolt at the base of the pan. To drain the pan, you need to unscrew the plug. To guard against leaks, many drivers prefer to replace the sump plug with each oil change. Because the sump pan sits at the lowest point of your car, it can suffer damage quite easily as you drive over speed bumps and flying debris.

Want to take advantage of rock-bottom prices and free delivery? Buy your new sump pan and plug at Car Parts 4 Less.

Warning: most automotive oils and fluids are poisonous Wash them of skin and change out of contaminated clothing without delay.

Oil filters keep your engine free from dirt, dust and bacteria. Protect your engine from premature wear and tear with cheap-but-effective oil filters from Car Parts 4 Less.

Oil performs a number of important jobs as it flows through your engine. It keeps your engine cool, absorbs contaminants, and seals the gaps between the cylinder walls and the piston rings. Without a filter in place, the oil would pick up dirt, dust, fungus and bacteria. This would cause it to saturate and clog your engine, rather than lubricating it.

A filter allows oil to do its job properly. Yet as its own job is to collect dirt and debris, the filter can clog up and become useless. For this reason, we recommend replacing your oil filter every 5000 miles.

It’s also important to use the right filter for your car, as the wrong one could cause serious damage. You could consult your car’s manual before buying a new oil filter. However, CarParts4Less.co.uk makes it quick and easy to find the perfect oil filter at a cheap price.

The Smell of fluid leaking from the vehicle may provide a clue to what’s leaking. Some fluids are distinctively coloured. It may help to remove the engine under-shield, then clean the vehicle and park it over an old sheet or cardboard for a while as an aid to locate the source of the leak.