Oil Leaks: Why Alpharetta Drivers Shouldn’t Ignore That Spot Under the Car 

What Causes Oil Leaks in Alpharetta Vehicles? 

Oil leaks can happen to any vehicle, especially as it gets older, and in for us, endures Georgia’s hot summers and heavy traffic. Some of the most common causes of oil leaks  we see at America’s Service Station Alpharetta include: 

• Worn or Damaged Gaskets and Seals: Over time, gaskets (like the valve cover or oil pan gasket) and seals (like camshaft or crankshaft seals) can dry out or crack. When they fail, oil seeps through. High mileage and heat can also accelerate this wear.
   
  
• Loose Oil Pan Drain Plug or Oil Filter: If your drain plug wasn’t tightened properly after an oil change, or the oil filter’s seal is bad or installed incorrectly, oil can drip from these points. A simple mistake during an oil change can lead to a persistent leak. Worn plastic drain plugs should be replaced with metal plugs and new gaskets to prevent drain plug leaks. 
  
  
• Engine Wear (Rear Main Seal or Piston Rings): In older engines, seals like the rear main seal may start leaking. Worn piston rings won’t exactly leave a puddle, but they cause oil burning (blue smoke) rather than dripping. But it’s important to note that this still indicates an oil loss issue. 
  
  
• Oil Filler Cap or Other Openings: Sometimes the leak is as simple as a loose oil filler cap or a breather that’s allowing oil to escape. Leaking can also originate from oil lines or the oil pan itself if it’s punctured or dented.
  
  
• The valve cover gasket is one of the most common sources of oil leaks, especially on higher-mileage vehicles. This gasket seals the top of the engine where the valve cover meets the cylinder head. Over time, heat causes the gasket to harden and  shrink, allowing oil to seep out. Valve cover leaks often show up as oil on the engine, burning oil smells, or smoke when oil drips onto hot exhaust components.
  
  
• The timing cover seals the front of the engine and protects the timing chain or belt. Oil leaks here can be harder to spot because the oil may spread and appear to come from other areas of the engine. Timing cover leaks are often caused by aging gaskets, seal failure, or engine wear and can worsen over time. Because timing components are critical to engine operation, leaks in this area should be diagnosed  and repaired promptly to prevent more serious damage.
  
  
• Many modern engines use Variable Valve Timing (VVT) solenoids to improve performance, fuel economy, and emissions. These solenoids control oil flow to  adjust valve timing as the engine runs. Because they rely on clean engine oil and proper oil pressure, VVT solenoids are sensitive to oil quality and maintenance  intervals. Over time, dirty or sludged oil can cause a VVT solenoid to stick or fail.  When this happens, the engine may experience rough running, poor acceleration, reduced fuel economy, or a check engine light. In some cases, oil leaks can also  develop around the solenoid due to worn seals.

Tip: After parking, look at the ground under the front-middle of your engine. Engine oil  leaks typically show up as brown or black slick spots on the pavement (fresh oil is light  brown, used oil is dark). If you notice such spots regularly, you likely have an oil leak that  needs attention. 

How Can I Tell If My Car Is Leaking Oil?

Aside from visible puddles, there are other warning signs of an oil leak that Alpharetta  drivers should watch for: 

• Burning Oil Smell: If oil drips onto hot engine parts like the exhaust manifold, it will  burn off and produce a sharp, burning oil odor (and sometimes white or blue  smoke from under the hood or tailpipe). It’s important to know that some oil leaks only occur while driving or accelerating, when engine pressure increases. These  leaks may not show up while the car is idling. As the vehicle moves, leaking oil can  splash backward onto the suspension, exhaust, or underside of the vehicle,  making the source harder to spot but still producing a strong burning smell. 
• Blue Smoke from Exhaust: Oil burning in the engine (due to leaks in internal seals)  can cause blue-gray smoke out of the tailpipe. This is a red flag that oil is leaking into  places it shouldn’t be. 
• Oil Dashboard Light or Low Oil Level: Modern cars have an oil pressure or oil level  warning light. If this light flickers or comes on, or if you check your dipstick and  repeatedly find low oil levels, it’s likely a leak is the culprit.
• Engine Overheating: Oil helps with engine cooling. If you’re low on oil, you might  notice the engine running hotter or even overheating more easily (IMPORTANT! Read  more about this below). 

If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait to investigate. Even a minor oil leak, if left  alone, can turn into a major engine problem. In fact, the sooner you act, the better—both  for your vehicle’s health and your own safety. 

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore an Oil Leak

Ignoring an oil leak might not cause immediate disaster, but continuing to drive with a  leak is a ticking time bomb. There are the major risks and consequences of putting off oil  leak repairs (including but not limited to): 

• Engine Damage and Costly Repairs: Your engine relies on oil to stay lubricated and  cool. Even a small leak will cause the oil level to drop over time. If the oil level gets  too low, engine parts will grind against each other due to lack of lubrication, creating intense heat and friction. Critical components like bearings can wear out or seize up. In a worst-case scenario, the engine can completely seize (lock up), which  often means you could be looking at a full engine replacement. What might have  been a relatively small repair (e.g. maybe a few hundred dollars to replace a gasket)  can snowball into a repair bill of $1,500 or more for an engine rebuild or absolute  worst-case, a complete replacement, if neglected. In short, fixing the leak now is  far cheaper than replacing an engine later. 
  
  
• Overheating and Related Damage: Engine oil doesn’t just lubricate—it also helps with keeping your engine cool. Low oil levels or oil circulation problems mean your  engine runs hotter. Pair a low oil level with Alpharetta’s summer heat and  everyday traffic on GA-400, and you have a one-way ticket to overheating. An  overheated engine can lead to blown head gaskets, warping of engine heads, or  other heat-related failures. These are major repairs that can leave you stranded on  the side of the road. 
  
  
• Fire Hazard: This is one consequence that really emphasizes the urgency of fixing  oil leaks. If oil is dripping onto hot surfaces – such as the exhaust manifold or catalytic converter – it can start to smoke, and in severe cases it can ignite. Oil is  flammable, and the underside of your hood can reach extreme temperatures. Many  Alpharetta drivers spend a lot of time in stop-and-go traffic (which keeps engines  hot), so a leak that might only smolder on a short drive could ignite during a long commute. An engine bay fire puts you and your passengers in immediate danger and can total your car. It’s simply not worth the risk of driving around with a known oil leak. 
  
  
• Damage to Other Components: Oil is slick and can travel far in your engine bay.  We’ve seen leaks that started at a valve cover gasket but ended up soaking other  parts. For example, oil can get onto rubber hoses and belts, causing them to swell, soften, or crack prematurely. A timing belt or serpentine belt covered in oil might slip or break, leading to even more repairs. Oil can collect on bushings or suspension  components, attracting dirt and grime that wear those parts out faster. In short, one leak can create a ripple effect of component failures if not addressed as soon as  possible. 
  
  
• Failed Emissions or Inspections: Many drivers are unaware that an oil leak can impact emissions. Burning oil in the engine (even slowly) can increase your vehicle’s  exhaust emissions and cause your car to fail Georgia’s emissions test. In some  states or counties, a significant external leak might be flagged during a safety inspection. At the very least, a mechanic conducting any inspection will note active  leaks as issues. It’s better to fix the leak than risk failing an inspection or being  stuck unable to renew your tags because of an emissions failure. 
  
  
• Environmental Hazards: Oil leaks aren’t just bad for your car – they’re bad for the  environment. Dripping oil gets washed off driveways and roads by rain, flowing into  storm drains and local waterways. Just a quart of motor oil can contaminate thousands of gallons of water. Did you know that it’s actually illegal in many areas  to allow fluids to leak from your vehicle because of this environmental risk? Cleaning up oil spills is costly, and you certainly don’t want to leave an ugly stain on  your driveway, garage floor or in your neighborhood. Fixing leaks promptly is part of being a responsible vehicle owner in our community.

Bottom line: Ignoring an oil leak is gambling with your car and safety. The longer you wait,  the more damage can occur as oil loss accelerates. A tiny drip today can become a major  gush next month as the leak gets worse. 

What To Do If You Suspect an Oil Leak

If you think your car is leaking oil, here are the steps you should take: 

1. Check Your Oil Level: Make it a habit to check your oil dipstick regularly (when the  engine is cold, on level ground). If you’re consistently low on oil or have to top-off oil  between oil changes, that’s a red flag.
   
   
2. Look for the Leak Source: After parking overnight, slide a piece of cardboard under  your engine area to see where the drip is. If it’s brown/black, call us to investigate.
   
   
3. Watch for Symptoms While Driving: Pay attention to any burning smells, smoke (e.g. coming out of your exhaust or under the hood), or warning lights while driving. If  you smell burning oil or see smoke, pull over safely and check under the hood once  the engine has cooled a bit. 
   
   
4. Minimize Driving (Especially Long Trips): If the leak is minor, you might be able to  drive short distances (for example, to our shop) but keep a close eye on oil  pressure and temperature. If you suspect a major leak, do not risk driving at all.  It’s safer to have the vehicle towed to our shop. 
   
   
5. Schedule an Oil Leak Inspection Promptly: Don’t procrastinate. Contact a  professional mechanic to pinpoint the leak and fix it. Most oil leaks involve replacing  a gasket, seal, or faulty part – a job that can usually be handled quickly and  affordably. 

Protect Your Engine – Fix Oil Leaks Early (And How We Can Help) 

At America’s Service Station – Alpharetta, GA, we specialize in finding and fixing oil leaks  quickly so you can drive with peace of mind. Our technicians will identify the exact source  of the leak, explain what it means, and recommend the right fix before it becomes a  major issue. 

We’re located on Old Milton Parkway near GA-400 and proudly serve drivers in Alpharetta,  Johns Creek, Milton, and the North Fulton area. Whether you need a new gasket, an oil  change, or just an expert diagnosis, we’ve got you covered. 

Schedule your oil leak inspection or repair with us today and let us help protect your  engine for the long haul. You can contact us or schedule an appointment at our  convenient Alpharetta location.