Hi all, this may be an odd question. I have a 2012 VW Golf TDI (bought before I found Scotty or I would have gotten a Toyota!). Recently I had a leak about middle ways down on the front of the engine (oil filter flange gasket) where it lost around 1-2 quarts oil in a very short time of driving. I've since had this fixed thanks to a wonderful Scotty-like mechanic I have a few miles from my house. However, the oil that leaked sprayed out underneath the car while driving so now it has a bit of a skidmark underneath. I have driven the car since and noticed a smell of this oil getting hot so I assume its on the exhaust too.
Now, I've driven it enough that I think it is fine and has burned off anything hot it was on. My question is should I be worried about that possibly catching fire should this happen again? Most of the vehicles I've had in my life had oil leaks at some point or other and I never worried about it. But this losing so much oil so fast and it collecting down the bottom of the vehicle with some on the exhaust got me to worrying about it.
Any info greatly appreciated!
Free undercoating!
As long as it doesn't get into the brakes, it's fine.
No, in fact it's common in Northern climes where salt is used on the road to spray oil on the underside of cars each winter season to slow corrosion. Any that got on the exhaust will just burn off, it might smell a bit for a while but won't affect anything. As long as the oil loss caused no engine damage you're fine.
Thank you!
It won't smell pleasant and will probably smoke a little until it is burned off but it doesn't hurt anything.
If you got the leak taken care of, don't worry...
Rust protection 😉
The only problem I see with the comments above is the oil will attract dirt like a magnet and the dirt will attract moisture. If it were mine, I'd get it pressure washed so it's clean and dry and so I could isolate any future oil leaks easily.
once the oil soaks into the rough and corroded metal surfaces , it'll never come out. But you're right that he should wipe off any excess wet areas or drips for sure. But a thin film won't hurt.
You're right, great comment, Joe.
Thank you all for the info! I feel much better about it now.