Seen an oil stain under your car? This is one of the most important signs that a malfunction may have occurred in the engine, transmission, or power steering system. Ignoring this problem is dangerous: an oil leak can lead to overheating, serious damage, and expensive repairs.

Autopark-Service in Lviv specializes in detecting and eliminating leaks from various sources. In this article, we will discuss why oil stains appear, how to understand where exactly it is leaking from, and what to do in each situation.

Why Does an Oil Stain Appear Under the Car?

The most common sources of leaks are in three areas of the car:

  1. Engine
  2. Transmission (Automatic/Manual)
  3. Power Steering (Hydraulic Steering)

Each system uses its own brand and type of oil, so it’s important to be able to differentiate them by color and smell.

1. Oil Leak from the Engine

The engine is the most common source of leaks. Oil can leak through:

  • crankshaft seal;
  • valve cover gasket;
  • oil pan gasket;
  • turbocharger (on turbocharged engines);
  • oil filter gasket;
  • cracks or corrosion in the casing.

How to identify if it’s the engine?

  • The oil is usually dark, thick, with a characteristic smell.
  • The stain appears closer to the front of the car.
  • Visible leaks on the engine block or oil pan.

2. Transmission Leak (Automatic or Manual)

Oil leaks from the transmission are less common, but when they do occur, the consequences can be critical. Automatic transmissions are particularly sensitive to oil levels — even a small loss can lead to jerking, overheating, and expensive repairs.

Where it may leak:

  • drive shaft seal;
  • primary shaft seal;
  • transmission oil pan gasket;
  • damaged casing;
  • cracks in the transmission cooling radiator.

How to identify it:

  • ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) is red or pink;
  • manual transmission oil has a sharp “sulfur” smell;
  • stains are located closer to the center under the car.

3. Power Steering Leak (Hydraulic Steering)

The power steering system operates under pressure, so even a small defect can cause active leakage.

The most common causes:

  • hose leaks;
  • damaged power steering pump;
  • worn clamps;
  • microcracks in the reservoir tank;
  • leakage through seals.

How to identify it:

  • power steering fluid is red or yellow-green;
  • the steering becomes heavier;
  • there is a whining noise during turns.

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How to Understand Where the Oil is Leaking From? Diagnostic Methods

Autopark-Service in Lviv uses professional methods that allow for fast and accurate identification of the source of the leak.

Lift inspection. The car is raised on a lift, and the specialist inspects:

  • the engine;
  • the transmission;
  • power steering system;
  • hoses and lines;
  • filters;
  • the oil pan;
  • hard-to-reach areas.

The lift allows the technician to see all the “oil trails” leading to the source of the leak.

Ultraviolet Diagnostics (UV Test). A special fluorescent dye is added to the system. Under UV light, even the smallest leaks turn bright green and become clearly visible.

This is the most accurate method to detect:

  • microcracks;
  • air suction through seals;
  • hidden leaks in hard-to-reach places.

Seal and gasket replacement. After detecting the issue, the technicians perform quick and quality replacements:

  • crankshaft seal;
  • drive shaft seal;
  • valve cover gasket;
  • oil pan gasket;
  • oil filter gasket;
  • seals in the transmission and power steering.

We use high-quality materials that ensure long-lasting sealing.

Post-repair inspection. After the repairs are done, the vehicle is re-inspected:

  • checking for new leaks;
  • testing fluid levels;
  • pressure test (for power steering and transmission).

This guarantees that the issue has been fully resolved.

Why is it Important Not to Ignore a Leak?

Even a small oil stain can lead to:

  • engine overheating;
  • worn bearings;
  • jerking of the transmission;
  • seized power steering pump;
  • fire hazards;
  • expensive major repairs.

The sooner you perform diagnostics, the cheaper the repair will be.

Advantages of Diagnostics at Autopark-Service in Lviv

  • professional equipment;
  • accurate leak diagnostics in 15–30 minutes;
  • certified materials and gaskets;
  • warranty on the performed work;
  • specialists with over 10 years of experience.

Conclusion

An oil stain under the car is not just an inconvenience, but a serious warning about a malfunction in one of the car’s systems. The engine, transmission, and power steering require regular inspection, especially if there are signs of oil on the ground.

Autopark-Service in Lviv will quickly and accurately identify the source of the leak using a lift and UV diagnostics, perform gasket and seal replacements, and conduct post-repair inspection to ensure full sealing.

Your car should be dry and safe — trust it to the professionals.