Your Volkswagen’s engine oil is what keeps it performing at maximum capacity. Unfortunately, oil leaks are common among all vehicle makes and models, and it’s important to know the signs of an oil leak so you can remediate the problem as soon as possible before further damage occurs to your engine.
The Purpose of Engine Oil in Your Volkswagen
Your engine’s oil is responsible for lubricating its various parts. When a car is started, engine parts create friction in the motor and rely on oil to reach optimal speed and performance.
The coating of lubrication protects the engine and its parts, preventing metal from rubbing together from the friction caused by starting the engine. Without oil, an engine and its parts would deteriorate rapidly, which is why it is so important to take care of leaking oil immediately, to avoid replacing other parts or ultimately, the engine itself.
The oil also cleans the engine of debris, transferring any dirt and debris into the oil filter of your car, and cools the engine so it doesn’t overheat from friction.
Common Signs of an Oil Leak
If you think you might be possibly dealing with an oil leak in your Volkswagen, check below for the common signs:
Puddles under your vehicle
One of the most obvious signs of an oil leak is pulling out of your driveway to find a puddle of oil from underneath your car. This is usually caused by an oil pan leak and could cause issues with oil levels and pressure.
The oil light illuminates on your dashboard
If your oil light comes on, it means your oil level is low or oil pressure is lower than normal. This is a sign you should not ignore and you’ll want to have your car taken in as soon as possible.
Smoke from the engine
Smoke emits from the engine when oil drips onto the exhaust manifold. If you don’t deal with the leak in a timely manner, it can damage the oxygen sensors or gaskets.
Smell of burning oil
If you smell burning oil, it is very likely there’s an oil leak. You may even hear sizzling. This happens when oil drips onto the engine when it’s hot. If you notice this smell or hear a sizzling sound, you’ll want to get your car checked out.
Engine overheating
Engine oil lubricates the pistons and makes sure they glide smoothly. Without this lubrication, the pistons grind against other parts of the engine which creates heat, and can overheat your engine. Your engine could then seize up and stall. Oil leaks can cause oil levels to drop low, causing your engine to overheat. This is because engine oil is responsible for regulating the engine’s temperature. Without it, your engine is prone to overheating.
Common Causes of Oil Leaks
Road debris can easily damage oil gaskets and pans since they are located at the bottom of your vehicle’s engine. Traversing rough roads can create a hole, causing an oil pan leak. The pan’s gasket suffers a lot of wear-and-tear and can become damaged, causing an oil gasket leak.
If one of the oil gaskets was improperly installed, it can cause an oil leak. The oil gaskets must be properly installed to keep the oil from leaking. If tightness is not evenly distributed or if the gasket is too tight, it is considered incorrectly installed. If the oil filter isn’t installed properly, it can also cause an oil leak. The engine oil flows through the oil filter, so if it’s loose, oil will leak through.
Your rings or valve seals can also leak, causing your car to lose oil. But in this case, you won’t find a puddle beneath your car. You’ll only notice a puddle when the gaskets are leaking, and the oil leaking from rings or valve seals will get burned up in the combustion process.
DART Auto is Here to Help
When your Volkswagen has an oil leak, 
look no further than DART Auto for help. We’ve proudly served Volkswagen dealers in Englewood, Littleton, Centennial, and Denver, CO for over 20 years.
Our certified and skilled mechanics use the best factory tools and parts and can have your Volkswagen’s oil leak fixed in no time, so you can focus on getting back on the road. We look forward to earning your trust and keeping your Volkswagen in good standing for years to come. Call today to schedule your appointment.
