My mechanic is saying the timing chain is bad (causing oil leaks). Does a timing chain cause oil leaks? What are your thoughts?
I had valve cover gaskets replaced a month ago. Now my mechanic is saying the timing chain is bad (causing oil leaks). Does a timing chain cause oil leaks? What are your thoughts?
My car has 70000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi, thanks for writing in. Timing change themselves cannot cause an oil leak but the timing chain cover can cause an oil leak. In order to replace the timing cover gasket, you will have to remove the serpentine belt and anything that has belt driven. This includes the alternator power steering pump air conditioning compressor and crankshaft pulley as well as the water pump. Once all of this is remove the timing cover can be removed and the gasket can be replaced. I would strongly recommend having this job performed by a professional as many parts are required to be removed in order to even access the timing cover. Here at YourMechanic, we can have a technician come to your home or office to perform this replacement for you.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
Over time and due to exposure to heat, dirt, road grime, and more, the gasket can often become cracked or wear out. This will reduce the tightness of the timing cover and may result in oil escaping the engine and leaking onto the ground.
A common cause of BMW oil leaks is the valve cover gaskets. The oil pan gasket is also a likely cause of a BMW oil leak and will require removal of the front suspension in order to be replaced.
Timing change themselves cannot cause an oil leak but the timing chain cover can cause an oil leak. In order to replace the timing cover gasket, you will have to remove the serpentine belt and anything that has belt driven.
Common Locations for Leaks
A few frequent regions for leaks are the oil pan gasket, the valve cover gasket, the alternator bracket seal, the timing cover gasket, and the oil filter housing gasket. The oil pan gasket allows easy access for engine repairs, and usually leaks when oil hasn`t been changed frequently.
The only two options for fixing a timing cover oil leak is to restore the gasket or replace the gasket.
Faulty timing cover gaskets typically cause these types of leaks. Timing cover leaks can also be caused by physical damage like cracks. These can prevent the cover from having a proper seal. If you have a leak, you should look for fractures on the timing cover, as they might be the cause of the issue.
Going too long between oil changes and using the wrong type or viscosity rated motor oil causes the timing chain pins and plates to wear, resulting in timing chain stretch. Timing chain pin and plate wear is accelerated by contaminates in the oil, that is the reason frequent oil changes are required.
A broken timing chain will cause an engine to not start or fail while driving. If the belt is already broken, the engine won`t have enough compression to start. If it breaks or jumps while driving, the pistons will be damaged from contact with the valves. The valves themselves will bend and potentially ruin the engine.
When a car mysteriously loses oil, there are usually two possible causes: either you`ve sprung a leak, or your engine is burning it away. Though you may not see any visible signs of leakage, less noticeable parts like a worn seal or leaky rings may be the culprit.
Rotate the eccentric to tighten or loosen the timing chain. The timing chain should be loose enough to prevent binding and tight enough to keep from falling off. The chain should move about 1/2″ for the front and 1/4″ for the rear without using force.
Use High-Quality Oil and Filters
Using high-quality oil and filters can also help prevent timing chain issues. The oil you use should meet the manufacturer`s specifications, and you should change it at regular intervals. Low-quality oil can break down more quickly and cause premature wear on the timing chain.
It may be possible for it to cause an oil leak potentially if the chain caused the timing cover to come loose as it jumped, but this is unlikely. The timing chain does not have anything to do with the cooling system and would not have caused a coolant leak.
Driving with a bad timing chain could give you serious engine damage, and it`s also dangerous because it could cause your vehicle to stop suddenly without warning. A timing chain typically requires replacement anywhere from 40,000 to 150,000 miles.
In addition to their environmental impacts, oil leaks can lead to major damage to your vehicle`s engine, as well as to its radiator and HVAC system. Accumulated oil can degrade the rubber hoses and seals used in these components and cause them to wear out prematurely. Oil leaks are also a fire and safety hazard.
If it`s a little on the low side, top up the oil and check again the next day to see if the level has dropped significantly. Avoid adding oil and ignoring the fact that the level keeps dropping – oil leaks can be potential fire hazards so it`s important to ensure that everything is working as it should.
Use a flashlight to check underneath your car and around your engine – telltale drips might lead you right to the problem. There are several common locations for oil leaks in your car, including: At your oil pan gasket. At your oil filter or drain plug.
One of the easiest ways to fix the leak yourself is to use a stop leak additive or high mileage oil blend. Such products can soften and condition your car`s rubber seals to stop and prevent further automotive leaks. It may take up to a few hundred miles of driving before the leak is completely sealed.
The most critical engine oil leaks are those that starve your engine of oil. If you see a large puddle on the ground, don`t try starting your engine. You may not have enough oil left to lubricate your engine and can cause permanent damage that can only be repaired by an engine rebuild or replacement.
Your Bimmer may be experiencing an oil leak as a result of a few common problems: Leak from a rear main seal, often a result of too much wear on the crankshaft. Oil filter housing gasket and timing cover gasket leak, which can lead to other problems if not attended to quickly.
A lax timing chain, or worse, a broken timing chain with loose parts within the engine, will produce a rattling sound when your car is idling. This rattling sound is typically most prominent while the engine heats up and disappears after some time.
Over a period of time, the timing chain can stretch, which can cause the chain to skip a gear on the cam or crankshaft. This causes the engine`s timing to fall out of calibration and often results in a misfire. The engine may also run poorly and lack accelerating power.
If the chain isn`t operating at the correct tension, there`ll be a knock-on effect on the engine performance. This can manifest in misfires, problems starting the car, its performance could feel sluggish or run low on power.
The pressure of the engine can also cause oil to spill out while the vehicle is running, if your filler cap is missing, loose, or broken. Ensure both are in good condition and properly sealed to help prevent leaks. This is probably the most common cause of oil leaks, especially in vehicles with high mileage.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
My mechanic is saying the timing chain is bad (causing oil leaks). Does a timing chain cause oil leaks? What are your thoughts?
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. Timing change themselves cannot cause an oil leak but the timing chain cover can cause an oil leak. In order to replace the timing cover gasket, you will have to remove the serpentine belt and anything that has belt driven. This includes the alternator power steering pump air conditioning compressor and crankshaft pulley as well as the water pump. Once all of this is remove the timing cover can be removed and the gasket can be replaced. I would strongly recommend having this job performed by a professional as many parts are required to be removed in order to even access the timing cover. Here at YourMechanic, we can have a technician come to your home or office to perform this replacement for you.
Using Bar’s stop leak for timing chain cover leak
ANSWER : Stop leak products are generally an amateur, unprofessional solution to a TECHNICAL problem. Factory Service Manuals do NOT recommend or specify stop leak products BECAUSE such products are NOT considered to be an acceptable repair strategy, save for rare exceptions. The composition of your question clearly indicates that you understand that the OPTIMAL solution is to just fix the gasket(s) and you are simply seeking a stop gap (no pun intended) measure while you prepare for that repair. After having researched these products for decades and having tried a few, talked to manufacturers and so forth, I would suggest that you just let the vehicle leak until it was repaired assuming of course that oil is NOT leaking onto a hot manifold thus creating fire and health hazards. Of course, it is best to just simply prioritize the repair and one possibility insofar as the cost, as well as the diagnosis, is to get a second opinion from YourMechanic.
My car is leaking oil i got an oil change for it last month but it is still leaking oil what will cause my car to leak oil ?
ANSWER : Most older cars have oil leaks. Sealing technology has just not kept up with mechanical improvements to engines so much so that leaks often kill engines rather than mechanical problems. So, it is not unexpected at all to have an, indeed many, oil leaks on a 23 year old car. Oil leaks vary hugely in terms of severity and priority of repair. Oil leaking onto a hot engine manifold is the worst case (the oil can start a fire; at best, you are left breathing oil fumes in the cabin, as the oil burns off of the manifold) while de minimus seepage of oil at the oil drain plug or oil pan gasket, while annoying and messy, if limited enough is not an emergency. Some leaks are easy to repair, while others literally require the engine to be removed just to get physical access to all the leak points. In your circumstance, if you smell burning oil, oil is probably leaking onto a hot engine part such as the exhaust manifold. A certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, can perform an oil leak diagnostic and then let you know of your repair options and costs.
As far as the check engine light, that is not related to the oil leak(s). If you request a check engine light diagnostic, a certified mechanic from YourMechanic would use a code scanner to retrieve the specific diagnostic trouble code(s) from your car’s PCM that have caused the check engine light to illuminate. Using those codes, the appropriate individual vehicle components or sub-systems (often a sensor, circuit, and the like) are then carefully tested, based on specifications set forth in your car’s Factory Service Manual, to pinpoint the cause of the fault or the reason why the check engine light has illuminated. Once the faulty part or component is identified, it is explained to your satisfaction and the mechanic will let you know of the cost to repair. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Oil was leaking, put in over 4 qts of oil and oil leak stopper. White smoke coming tailpipe,engine shakes, car dies. Oil leaking.
ANSWER : Oil additives are not recommended by any vehicle manufacturer for any reason. Additives that purport to resolve oil leaks are useless, a waste of your money, and may result in engine damage. Every vehicle manufacturer strongly recommends against use of these materials. There is only one recommended and approved repair strategy when it comes to oil leaks: fix the leak.
You can only add the manufacturer specified amount of oil to an engine. If you add too much oil, or too little oil, that will cause engine damage. You should check the engine oil dipstick to determine if there is presently too much oil in the engine. If there is too much, the excess will have to be removed to prevent engine damage.
The leak that you are referring to can be repaired if you request an oil leak diagnostic. If you have further questions or concerns as you decide what to do, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic because we want you to make the most of your repair dollars and help you get the best possible results.
Can a jumped timing chain cause an oil or coolant leak?
ANSWER : The damage that can be caused by a timing chain jumping on your particular car should be fairly minimal as it is a non-interference motor. It may be possible for it to cause an oil leak potentially if the chain caused the timing cover to come loose as it jumped, but this is unlikely.
The timing chain does not have anything to do with the cooling system and would not have caused a coolant leak. Your car has a warning indicator that lights up in the dash when it is low on coolant or oil telling the driver to shut the engine off, but it will NOT shut off on it’s own.
To avoid any unnecessary repairs, I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose the fluid leak firsthand and service your timing chain issue as necessary.
A mechanic at sears auto center told me I had a oil pan leak. But i have not seen any oil leak from under my car. He recommende
ANSWER : Oil leaks should be repaired because leaking oil can damage external engine components such as rubber motor mounts. If you want the source of the oil leak identified and the repair estimated, simply request an oil leak diagnostic. Your vehicle has an engine oil maintenance reminder system to let you know when it’s time to change the engine oil and filter. The allowed interval for oil changes depends on your unique driving habits and can be up to, but not more than, one year. If you haven’t driven the vehicle a lot, don’t needlessly worry about having gone perhaps 2-3 years without the required oil change. It is critical though, at this juncture, to change the oil and filter immediately. Synthetic oil is recommended. If you desire that this maintenance be performed by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request an engine oil/filter change and the responding mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic.
Are these oil leak problems related?
ANSWER : If the oil filter housing is integral to the oil cooler, or the housing had to be removed to service the cooler, a professional mechanic with knowledge of the limited service life of rubber seals would have absolutely (guaranteed) replaced the filter housing gasket that you are now belatedly finding leaks. However, if the leaking gasket is in an assembly that was not touched, or is not part of the cooler, they might be on reasonable grounds to have not fooled with it. These cooler configurations vary (from Mercedes Benz model to model) so, having the advice I just gave, you can just simply ask them what configuration you have and go from there. The bottom line is, if indeed, the gasket that is presently leaking was "right in front of them" while they did the warranty work, it should have been replaced simply as a matter of course. Indeed, the weak link on modern engines has become gaskets and seals. The engine will mechanically far outlast the gasket and seals but the problem is to replace all of them (once they all leak) you have to literally take the engine out of the car and take it apart just to put all new seals in. Please let us know how we can help further on this issue.
My car has been leaking oil. my mechanic says that i can do a oil clean or a complete repair your recommendation
ANSWER : Hello – as a fellow Bimmer owner, I am also offended at engines which leak. You don’t mention where the engine is leaking, and perhaps that is not clear. Most seals and gaskets on that engine aren’t too difficult to renew, although the rear main crankshaft seal requires either engine or transmission removal for access, so that could be expensive. Make sure all crankcase ventilation components (PCV valve, crankcase vent hoses, etc. are clear, so that excess pressure is not accumulating in the crankcase, as this will force oil to leak. It’s probably work doing an engine cleaning, then carefully watch to see where the oil leak originates. You can then make an informed decision as to cost/benefit for needed repairs. I would recommend having a Oil/Fluid Leak Inspection completed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
