How do you fix an oil leak?

Track the leak with a dye. Can get those dye from most auto part store. Then it's all depends on where the leak at. I just fixed a leak on my power steering when the shop say it will cost me $400 bucks and I fixed it with a $0.30 washer.How do you fix an oil leak?
It depends where it is, of course. Many oil leaks can be stopped by simply tightening the gaskets. This applies to valve cover and oil pan leaks. It also depends upon the year, make, model, and company of manufacture. Many leaks are also caused by accumulated sludge in the oil pressure relief valve. This is part of the oil pump. As the engine warms, the oil pressure drops, normally. This reduces the possibility that pressure is so high, it forces excess through engine orifices. Try an Amzoil motor flush, and switch to a good high detergent synthetic oil, like Pennzoil Platinum, Mobil One or ELF. Power wash your engine so you can actually SEE where the oil is leaking from. If the oil is leaking on the alternator or starter motor, you are shortening their lifespans. Some leaks occur at the oil pressure switch which requires replacement. Some oil leaks are caused by cheap dino oil that has broken down and created ';liquid sandpaper';, and has lodged right into a seal. This, too can be removed with a good internal flushing. Good luck!!How do you fix an oil leak?
Don't do:-





it mainlydepends where your leak is! but for the first thing is not too do is to tighten the bolts, because it was already torqued to the proper spec's. if you tighten it too much you run the risk of warping the part.





Do:


take the part off and scrape off the old gasket and clean it with brake cleaner, and do the same with where it mates up with engine. I have used permatex gasget maker in the past and that is a cheap fix if you can not find the right gasget. but for sure make sure the old gasket is off the parts.
depends on where the leak is.


tighten the area thats leaking, if that doesn't get it replace the gasket (rubber thing) that keeps the oil in, if that still doesn't get it seal it up with RTV.


best answer for you would be take it to a mechanic or a garage and have it fixed.
wash the whole inside of the car with a power hose, dont have one take it to someone to do it...it'll make this much easier to find the leak and figure out what is actually wrong before actually doin most of what the other responses has suggested..
it depends on where the leak is at. usually a leak occurs from a gasket. if it,s a valve pan gasket then sometimes you can snug up the bolts and stop it from leaking. the same goes with the oil pan.
buy new gaskets take device apart....replace leaking gasket...
a band-aid will do just fine.

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