5 Problems That Cause Oil To Spray All Over Your Engine

Oil is the lifeblood of your engine. It lubricates parts and keeps them running efficiently, but issues in the car can cause it to spray all over the engine.

Why is my car spraying oil all over the engine?

A blown or leaking head gasket, damaged oil filter, broken oil cooler, missing, loose, or damaged oil cap, and a busted oil cap can all cause oil to spray all over the engine. This can be dangerous, and we don’t recommend driving for long when this issue occurs. 

In the past, we have seen plenty of vehicles deal with oil leaks and oil spraying all over the engine, which can be a difficult problem to assess. This guide intends to explain it for all to understand to avoid future problems.  

What Would Cause Oil To Spray All Over Engine? (Explained!)

For the engine to work properly, it needs to have lubrication. Oil is a lubricant used to reduce friction and heat in the engine. But when things go wrong, oil can spray all over the engine and cause issues with the vehicle. 

For the engine to work, there must be lubrication between parts. 

The lubrication prevents friction and wears on the engine. If there is not enough lubrication, this can cause a lot of problems with the engine, including piston seizure and loss of power.

A blown or leaking gasket, damaged oil filter, broken oil seal, damaged oil cap, or busted oil pipe can all cause oil to spray all over the engine. We’ll explain each of these below and how they can be fixed. 

Blown Or Leaking Gasket

The primary cause for oil leaking or spraying all over the engine is when it overheats because of a blown head gasket. 

This causes oil to spray out from the exhaust manifold onto the engine at extremely hot temperatures.

The head gasket is required to keep the engine’s combustion chamber sealed so that when the car builds compressions, the engine power can run without any leaks. When it breaks, there are big problems like this. 

Damaged Oil Filter

The oil filter is needed to keep all contaminants out of the engine’s oil, so it remains clean and efficient. Numerous things can happen when the oil filter gets damaged, including oil spraying all over the engine. 

When the oil filter is damaged, it can cause damage to the oil pan too. When the oil pan breaks, it causes oil to spray all over the engine, and the gas and oil eventually mix. 

Broken Oil Cooler

The oil cooler is needed to keep the oil cool and acts like a radiator for the oil tank. When it breaks, there is no way to control the oil temperature. 

If the oil cooler breaks, it will cause major problems for the car. Oil will leak out of the engine and onto other parts of your car, causing a mess. This includes oil spraying all over the engine and leaking below the car. 

Missing, Loose, Or Damaged Oil Cap

A missing, loose, or damaged oil cap can cause oil to leak and spray all over the engine. This can lead to expensive repairs and a decrease in engine performance.

The purpose of this cap is to prevent dirt and other contaminants from entering the engine while it is running. Debris will likely get into the oil and cause issues with the oil tank and engine without one. 

Busted Oil Pipe

The oil line, which circulates the oil around the engine, can get clogged up with oil and stop working. However, when this line breaks, the problems are even more severe, like dangerous oil leaks. 

A busted oil pipe is a major cause of oil leaks or spray. It is also a major cause of engine damage. The reason for this is that the oil pump in the engine sends oil to various parts of the engine, but it can’t send it to the leaking pipe.

What Should You Do If Oil Sprays All Over The Engine?

If you are driving a car and the engine starts to sputter, it could be because oil has sprayed all over the engine. 

The key is not to panic and try to assess the situation. These are some solutions to consider. 

Clean The Engine

First, cleaning the oil off the engine is required before trying to identify the issue. Use WD-40 if needed to help get the engine compartment clean. 

Identity The Cause

Next, consider some of the listed problems and inspect under the vehicle’s hood. Look at the gasket first and try to see if any other areas are leaking oil. 

Replace The Gasket

Replacing the head gasket is a complex job, and it’s not easy for someone without prior experience handling these tasks. This is necessary when the gasket is broken, and it’s best to visit a mechanic for this problem. 

Upgrade The Oil Filter

Changing and upgrading a new oil filter is a less complex task. Remove the old filter first and install the new one in the same place, but ensure it fits securely before closing the hood again. 

Repair Or Replace The Oil Cooler

Oil coolers are devices that help to maintain the temperature of engine oil. They are usually fitted to engines to improve their efficiency.

If the car leaks oil, the oil cooler has likely broken down. The mechanic will also be able to tell you whether or not a car needs a new oil cooler or if it can be repaired instead.

Tighten Or Replace The Oil Cap

Next, the oil cap should be checked to see if it’s tightened securely or causing the oil to leak and spray on the engine. This is an easy and cheap fix most drivers can figure out on their own. 

Get A New Oil Sealer

Lastly, the car may need a new oil sealer. We recommend consulting with an expert on this rather than trying to do this without any car maintenance experience. 

Can You Still Drive If Oil Sprays All Over The Engine?

We all know the dangers of driving with an engine that is not functioning properly. But what about when you drive, and oil sprays all over the engine? 

The engine is the most important part of a car. Without it, there would be no way to move the vehicle. The engine needs oil to function properly; it will eventually cease working.

Sometimes, it is possible to continue driving even if your engine has been sprayed with oil. However, it would be wise to stop and have a mechanic inspect your car before continuing on.

This can cause the serpentine belt to come off the pulley, resulting in a loss of power steering. We recommend driving for as little as possible if the oil has sprayed all over the engine. 

Key Takeaways

• The causes for oil spraying all over an engine include a blown or leaking head gasket, damaged oil filter, broken oil cooler, missing, loose, or damaged oil cap, and a busted oil cap can all cause oil to spray all over the engine.
• When it does happen, clean the engine and start trying to identify what caused this oil leak. Once the cause is determined, it’s easy to figure out what needs to be fixed.
• We don’t recommend anybody driving when an engine is covered in oil because of a leak. This can be dangerous, and the belts and pulleys can come out of alignment.