Engine Oil

The oil pressure gauge is one of the most important instruments in a car. It acts as an indicator of the engine 's overall well-being and as an early-warning system, giving advance notice of any problems so you can investigate the cause before an expensive breakdown occurs. Read more

Gaskets and oil seals should be replaced if worn or leaking, or whenever removed during servicing. Replacement is simple, but some engine dismantling may be necessary to reach them. Buy gasket sets from a dealer for the make of car, and state clearly for what parts they are needed. Read more

A gearbox contains a great many moving parts. Some of them are submerged in oil and some of them are splashed — that is, the oil is carried to them by other moving parts. Read more

If you have to replace a coil spring on the front suspension , the replacement spring must be of the correct rating. Read more

If an engine needs topping up with fresh oil more than usual, or if you see a pool of oil under the engine where the car has stood, there is an oil leak. Trace the source immediately. Read more

Check the engine oil level weekly more often if the engine is consuming some oil, and always before a long drive. Change the oil and renew the oil filter at recommended service intervals. Read more

Fitting a new disposable cartridge is a simple task, but you must make sure that the new sealing ring that comes with it is correctly fitted in its proper place, on the inner end of the cartridge. Smear its outer face with clean engine oil. Read more

Low oil pressure - indicated on the oil-pressure gauge or dashboard warning light - could provide an indication of wear or damage to the pump . Read more

If the oil pump is fitted to the outside of the engine , you may be able to reach it from under the bonnet. Read more

A rear- axle oil leak is easy to miss. The axle works normally until it suddenly seizes up - the expensive and possibly dangerous result of it running dry of oil. Read more

There are two main types of oil seal : static and dynamic. A static oil seal fits between two non-moving parts, a dynamic oil seal between a stationary part and a moving one. Most oil seals are made of synthetic rubber. Read more

The working temperature of your engine is normally kept to an optimum level by the cooling system . But there are occasions when your engine is worked harder and reaches temperatures higher than normal. This can happen, for example, when you are towing a trailer or another vehicle, or if your engine has been tuned for higher performance. Read more

The oil in your engine needs to be kept at an optimum temperature so it can still carry heat away from the engine and lubricate the moving parts properly. If the temperature of the oil is allowed to rise, the oil will become too thin to lubricate properly and too hot to disperse heat, and there will be a risk of damage to the engine. Read more