The Dangers of Driving Your BMW X5 with an Oil Leak
So, you noticed a puddle of oil on your garage floor; right where you parked your BMW last night...
Anyone who knows a little about cars knows how dangerous an oil leak can be; especially if ignored for too long. After all, it is motor oil that enables a metal part like an engine to function as if it were made of butter. This post explains how oil leakage can affect the overall performance of a vehicle. Also, as you read you will learn about the options available to you to deal with such a problem.
BMW X5 Oil Leak: Possible Reasons Explained
The internal combustion engine is one of man's greatest inventions... but like any other great invention, it has a drawback. Being made up of metal parts, engines require lubricant to operate and this is where motor oil comes in handy. The unique chemical composition of motor oil makes it a suitable candidate for engine lubrication.
Apart from reducing friction between the moving metal parts of the engine, motor oil plays an important role in keeping the engine temperature within a permissible limit and protecting the engine parts from corrosion. That said… if there is not enough oil available, overall engine operation will be significantly impacted.
The below discussion sheds light on some of the prominent reasons behind engine oil leaks in a vehicle.
Reason #1- Cracked gasket/ seal
Your BMW X5 engine is not all metal. There are some seals and gaskets that play a vital role in connecting various engine parts together; so that the engine can operate as a single unit. In addition to sealing the gaps between major engine parts, seals and gaskets prevent motor oil from leaking out of the engine. If one of these seals fails, the oil will begin to leak from the engine.
Reason #2- Damaged filter
A clogged oil filter can also cause oil to leak out of the engine. Oil filter, just like any other filters used in car, has a saturation point after which it need to be replaced. If you are not replacing your BMW X5's oil filter on time, it will be clogged up. A clogged-up filter will impede the oil circulation within the engine. This can contribute to skyrocketing oil pressure inside the oil passages; which will ultimately result in an oil spill.
Reason #3- Faulty oil pan/ drain plug
If the oil pan is damaged or the drain plug has some deformity, the oil will leak out of the engine. There are several reasons why your BMW X5 oil pan and drain plug can become damaged; from bad driving habits to structural damage.
What Problems Can Oil Leak Cause To Your BMW X5 Engine?
Since oil is so important to the overall performance of your BMW X5 engine; if it leaks, you will have to deal with a variety of problems including expensive engine repairs. The dangers of driving a vehicle with an oil leak are highlighted below;
- Engine overheating. Yup, you read that right!!! The function of motor oil in a car engine goes beyond just lubrication. Its continuous circulation through the oil passages plays an important role in keeping the engine temperature stable. If the motor oil level dries up, the engine temperature will skyrocket.
- Engine seize up. Motor oil is crucial for a car engine to operate smoothly and efficiently. Without motor oil, the engine is nothing more than a big piece of scrap metal. The moment the motor oil dries up, the engine will stop operating.
#3- Rusty component. Another way that a motor oil leak can ruin your car's engine is by causing rust in key engine parts. Corrosion makes major engine parts vulnerable to structural damage. So, if you don’t want to end up spending a fortune on your BMW X5 engine repair, keep an eye on its motor oil level.
In Short
There are reasons why motor oil is referred to as the lifeblood of a car engine. From lubrication to cleaning; motor oil makes every effort to keep the engine in top condition. If your BMW X5 lacks such key fluid and you fail to take any action in time, you will have to deal with all kinds of engine problems; ranging from engine overheating to permanent damage.