1995 Hyundai Accent

FJSMITH81

MEMBER
1995 HYUNDAI ACCENT
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
136,000 MILES

My car has been burning engine oil. I took it to an unsavoury mechnanic and he told me that he could not pinpoint where the leak was coming from. He say that it is possibly leaking from the top. I don't see any leaks on the ground, and every week I have to top off the engine oil. I would prefer to know exactly what I should tell a mechanic to look for so I can properly diagnose the problem and go from there.
I do not have the option to buy a new car.
Thank you in advance

1 Reply

ZACKMAN

MECHANIC
4,202 POSTS

Chasing oil leak, in itself, is a chore, especially when it only leaks while you are driving. This is what I can suggest. On your way home from work, stop at your local parts store and grab a couple of cans of brake cleaner.

The next morning you are off work, open the hood. Locate all places where you can see oil residue. Spray the brake cleaner where you can see these oil gunks until everything is clean. Don't forget to put cardboard or old newspaper under the car to catch the stuff from hitting your driveway. The next time you drive the car, as the engine is free of oil, you can easily see where the leak is coming from. This will only work if you have external leak.