How to Fix Oil Seal Leaks On Your Car?

Many of you will come across a situation where you’ll witness oil drips on the road and wonder why is my car leaking oil? This leakage causes clutter wherever you drive your car and you will eventually end up in spending a lot of money to purchase additional oil.
To avoid such situations, it is very essential to take care of any such possible minor leakages promptly. Fixing these problems on your own will not only save money but also boost up your confidence to solve such minor car problems independently in future.
Common causes of external oil drips might be oil plug leakage caused by a damaged gasket, failure of front main seal or worn out valve cover gasket. Following are simple steps explaining how to fix oil seal leaks on your car.

Tools needed:  

• Screwdrivers - To gently remove the main seal from the seal housing

Source: Pixabay.com

• Ratchet Socket Set - For removing the Harmonic Balancer bolts or fastening them

Source: Pixabay.com

• Car Jack- This will be useful to lift up the car for replacing the front main seal. Using a heavy-duty Car Jack will be necessitous for large vehicles like Kia Sorento. This is quite powerful enough tool for jacking. 
• Jack Stands - To withstand the heavy weight of the car with high stability and strength while jacking. The Powerzone 3 Ton Steel Jack Stand - 1 Pair might be a good option for jack stands. 
• Bolt Puller Set - To efficiently remove the Harmonic Balancer from the crankshaft end

Source: Harborfreight

• Sealer - To quickly fix any minor holes or damages of the rubber seals or gaskets
• Gloves - To protect your hands from engine dust and oil

Source: Pixabay.com

• Eyewear Protection - For protection against any injury while working on front main seal replacement
• Liquid Transfer Pump - To remove excess oil from the oil reservoir, if any

Step 1: Detecting Oil Leakage

Park your car on an even level of surface and position it smartly on a paper, so that the engine is placed right above the paper. Use light colored paper so that you might recognize the color of the leaking oil easily and make sure the paper is wide enough to cover the width of your car.

After a day, move your car from the paper and analyze the paper keenly. If you see brown or dark colored oil dripped on the paper right beneath the engine, it is certainly oil leakage.

Step 2: Recognizing Cause of Leakage

Remove the hood of your car (Kia Sorento), check the oil level using the dipstick. If the oil level is low, fill additional oil to a desirable level. Whereas, if the oil level is above desired “Full” level, remove some oil using Liquid Transfer Pump.
Next, remove the oil fill cap. See if it is damaged, has become loose or if its seal is broken. In this case, the oil fill cap needs to be replaced.

Source: teon.co

Check the oil drain plug, if the oil seems to leak from this threaded oil drain plug then tighten the metal washer with the help of Ratchet socket set.

Source 2Carpros

Step 3: Fixing minor issues

• Slightly damaged Rubber seals or gaskets:If the oil leakage is minor, pour sealers in the oil reservoir. Follow the instructions carefully given on the Sealer. Whenever the engine runs, the sealer along with the oil will be evenly distributed throughout the engine. This will cause the sealer to stop any sort of leaks caused by slightly worn out rubber seals or gaskets. It will efficiently heal orrenew them and this gives effective results in stopping leakage. Your car might stop leaking after about 5 hours of pouring the Sealer formula in the oil reservoir. Watch the following video to know more about how to fix the oil seal instantly using Sealer. 

• Oil Filter leakage: Oil filter might cause leakage if it is loosely placed. Tighten the Oil filter, clean all the mess of previous oil leak and check again for any signs of leakage. 

Source: SuperCar Engineering

• Valve Cover Gaskets:  Valve cover is deliberately incorporated to shield the valve train and prevent the oil from leaking. A gasket is placedbetween the cylinder head and this valve cover. As time goes by, the gaskets usually wear away and might cause oil leaks. You can replace this valve cover gasket easily. Follow the simple steps given in the following video for replacing the valve cover gasket with a new unit.

Step 4: Fixing Major Issues

If the oil continues to leak then this might indicate that the ‘Main seal’ is severely damaged (generally due to the wearing caused by high temperature and engine vibration).
Front Crankshaft Main Seal Replacement:
With the help of car jack and jack stands, lift up the vehicle high enough for easy operation. Wear eyeglasses and gloves for protection against any injury.

• Remove the negative cable point of the battery to detach it completely. This will stop the supply of electrical power, for your safety.
• Take out the serpentine belt to easily access the front dampener bolt. Use 22mm or more size of socket to unfasten the dampener bolt counterclockwise (you can use air impact gun for easy unfastening)
• Take out the Harmonic Balancer with the help of Bolt puller Set and Ratchet Socket. Watch the following video for properly using the Bolt puller set

• The front main seal will now be visible to you onthe forward-facing side of the crankshaft. 
• Using a seal puller or a Standard Screwdriver, remove the main seal from the housing; make sure not to damage any part of the housing with the tools you are using. Watch this video to know how to remove the main seal easily 

• Wipe out all the surface where the new seal is going to be mounted by using a cleaning towel 
• Clean the crankshaft area as well 
• Make sure the old seal and new seal have similar dimensions to avoid inconvenience
• Take a tiny amount of silicone sealer and evenly spread it all over the outer rim of the seal to protect any external leaks around the seal housing
• Carefully  mount the new seal unit back into the seal housing, make sure the lip of the seal is facing inwards
• Using a hammer and socket unit, place the seal securely into its place and tap it lightly
• Clean the surface of the Harmonic Balancer thoroughlyusing a soft cloth, where the new seal will be rubbing against, to avoid any further leaks
• Spread slight amount of grease to this cleaned surface so that the new seal will be lubricated whenever the engine starts. Otherwise, no lubrication will cause the new seal to wear out instantly
• Using a dampener installation tool put back the balancer into its original place. Make sure the key slot on the balancer is in proper alignment with the woodruff key

Watch the video to know how to use the Dampener installation tool efficiently

• After completely installing the Harmonic balancer, thread the balancer bolts into the crankshaft end terminal and use socket wrench to fasten these bolts. 
• Put back the serpentine belt into its place securely
• Change the oil if necessary to avoid any further complications
• Start the engine and check for any abnormalities
• If no possible problems occur, you are good to go and the front main seal is successfully replaced

End of the line: 

If there are any minor leaking problems, above given first three simple steps might help you to fix such car leaking oil issues.
For the front main seal failure, all the steps mentioned in Step 4 will certainly help you to replace the main seal properly. Watch the YouTube videos for better understanding and proper execution of the steps.
Hope the instructions were clear enough and easy for you to understand. You can ask any questions below in the comments section for further queries or share your experiences of fixing oil leakages to help other readers. Also, if you liked this article then don’t forget to share it with others to benefit them as well!

Alice is the founder behind the automotivebros.  She is described as the car repair helper, money sever and advice giver when it comes to automobile industry. Automotivebros  gives best automotive products and repair posts that are straightforward and share her expertise in a manner that is easy-to-understand. Readers definitely are in for a unique and fun reading experience when the visit automotivebros.

Best Ways To Keep Your Kia In Good Condition

Kia Cars - Reliable ride on Road

Kia has a reputation as one of the most reliable vehicles on the road. Because the vehicles are well built and have a relatively simple operating system, it isn’t uncommon for owners to drive their Kia Cars to well over 150,000 miles without significant inconveniences. But in order to do this, proper car care and detailing are required along the way, and that goes deeper than just changing the oil every 3,000 miles.

I drive a 2013 Kia Forte and I love it- I have learned several tricks to keep my Kia always in good condition. Here in this article, we will take a look at the best ways to keep your Kia Car in good condition, even over extended periods of time.

Take Good Care of Your Kia Car With These Tips

Keeping a Kia running smoothly is generally inexpensive compared to American and European cars, and the more complex Japanese brands like Lexus and Subaru. I recommend regularly using an obd2 scanner to make sure there aren’t any critical errors in the way the car is running. These devices scan the engine and electric components of the car and deliver a report of any issues, sometimes offering simple solutions. If you don’t have one, most car parts stores can run the scan for you and turn off the “check engine” light, or you can buy one for around $15 to $20.

Tips:

• Check Your Air Filter.
• I try to check the filter on my Kia every few months, particularly during summer when it’s windy outside. If your engine is being hit by a bunch of dust and debris, it will wear down quicker and not run as smoothly. This leads to lower gas mileage and potentially larger issues down the line, and all it takes to prevent it is to change air filter!
• Keep your Kia prepared for the elements.
• This means winterizing the car in late Autumn, and then reversing the process in late Spring. Because of a Kia’ build, it can be susceptible to extreme weather if not taken proper care of.

Credit: Bridgestone Tire

• Also, have seasonally appropriate tires. This helps gas mileage and also makes it easier on the engine. Running snow tires when it's ninety degrees outside is extremely inefficient, and the same goes for not changing those bald, worn out old tires before it snows.
• Keep the interior and exterior clean.
• Regular details and vacuuming of the car can go a long way in maintaining your Kia’s value and keeping the car feeling like new. When looking to always keep your Kia in good condition, taking care of the interior of the car is just as important as the vehicle maintenance. No one wants to buy (or even ride in!) a car that is trashed and has a foul odour, so do yourself a favour and keep it clean.
• While you’re at it, a car wash is only going to help the cause. Use soap of a decent quality to ensure that it won’t damage the paint and always rinse thoroughly.
•  If an accident happens, make repairs quickly
• We’ve all seen it- the guy driving around with a bashed-in front bumper, clearly trying to delay the expenditure it will take to get the car up to snuff. But he is also hurting his car’s value and potentially risking further damages by not getting it fixed. Leaving problems unsolved can lead to bigger problems down the line, especially if the problem is mechanical and not just external.
• Having comprehensive insurance, a good warranty plan, a good Kia finance deal can really help keep your Kia in good condition always because you likely won’t have as many out-of-pocket costs to get the car fixed. By spending a little more now, you can save a bunch of money later.

• Change the serpentine belt.

• You will notice when the serpentine belt is wearing out because riding in the car will become noticeably less comfortable. There will be vibrations, and sometimes noises coming from under the hood.
• Check to see if the belt is brittle, frayed, cracked, or otherwise damaged. If something sounds wrong, it probably is.
• Serpentine belts can be changed with just a few tools and the purchase of a new belt. Otherwise, a dealership or maintenance garage can do it very quickly.
• Keep up with regularly scheduled maintenance
• The engine and parts on your Kia are relatively simple and minimize the risk of major breakdowns, particularly on the coupe and sedan models like Rio and Forte. When you buy the vehicle from a dealership, have them sign you up for maintenance reminders.
  
  Often, they will send coupons and incentives along with these reminders to help keep the cost down. Again, use the obd2 scanner if you suspect something is awry here, that way you’ll have an idea of what to tell the mechanic when you bring the car into the shop.
• Oil changes, tire rotations, and engine checks will all keep the car running well and maximize gas mileage. If there is uneven wear on the tires, it is time for an alignment!
• Regular alignments and checks on the suspension system can be super helpful in maximizing your Kia’s performance.
• Filling fluids and changing windshield wipers seasonally is a great habit to get into, that way you won’t be stuck needing to pull over on a road trip or drive to work for something simple like wiper fluid.
• Change the brake pads regularly to avoid metal-on-metal grinding that will kill the rotors. As soon as you hear any noise when braking, schedule an appointment with your mechanic.
• Adding to that, your important vehicle should get good care and service from authorised Kia service centres to get the best care outcome

Enjoy Cruising on Open Roads in  A Kia Car

Buying and maintaining a Kia is a worthwhile venture, whether you drive it purely for commuting or like to get out on the open road and enjoy a cruise. Kia Cars have the reputation of Asian vehicles- long lasting and durable, but with a Kia, you have the added benefit of a car that won’t run you into the ground financially. A Kia is a good investment and with proper maintenance and care, can quickly become a great one.

Kia Marketing Campaigns for Euro 2016 in July is A Big Success

It’s been a busy month in July for Kia, who have organised some very interesting marketing and social media campaigns surrounding the 2016 Euro Cup.

One of the world’s most important football or soccer competitions, the UEFA Euro Cup 2016 wrapped up earlier this month, with plenty of people tuning in late at night to catch the action. It was Portugal that got the job done over to the hosts France, and what a tournament it was!

The official sponsors Kia organised a bunch of activities around the event, including the ‘Champ into the Arena’ five-on-five amateur tournament, in which literally thousands of different teams competed from all around the world. The winner from each participating country was rewarded with an all expenses trip to France to compete against the world’s best. The quality of competition was extremely high, exceeded only by the Euro Cup itself.

Another successful campaign surrounding this every-four-year event was the ‘Carry your Dream’ social media campaign, which encouraged children to post content that demonstrates how crazy they are about soccer and what it means to them. Fifty-one of the best entries were selected as official match ball carriers at the event in France, meaning they would take the ball out onto the pitch and hand it to the referee!

Keep an eye on other special offers and exciting campaigns organised by Kia through 2016, and of course, don’t forget to check out the huge range of Kia cars that can be seen on the Chadstone Kia website.

Kia Soul - The Scintillating One