Possible consequences of oil leaks

[NMBurb02]

Other than being annoying and leaving oil stains on my driveway, what are the possible consequences oil leaks?

I am mainly concerned with my current rear main seal leak. Could it indicate that the seal is in such poor condition that it causes internal engine (crankshaft balance, etc.) mechanical harm in some way?

 

[spasm3]

In a manual transmission, a rear main seal leak can contaminate the clutch surfaces with oil causing slippage. The only engine damage is if it runs low on oil.

 

[eljefino]

If it gets on your exhaust it could plausibly burn the car to the ground. Usually it gets caught by the transmission bellhousing though and not flung around, so it just drips.

 

[fisher83]

I had a valve cover leak once that dripped onto a heater hose for a long time and ruined the hose which caused a coolant leak. That is the only real bad experience I have had from an oil leak. I would say that the only way you are likely to have internal engine issues from a leak is if you let it run too low on oil.

 

[Clevy]

I've had 2 Chrysler mini-vans with the 3.0 that leaked and would fry the starters,that's actually what made me get rid of the last one.
Depending on where the leak is it could cause belt slippage which may cause an overheat if the water pump isn't turning enough,as well as dim lights if the alternator doesn't spin fast enough.
Could also cause electrical issues,or could be completely harmless,just depends where the leak is.

 

[asand1]

Oil will deteriorate engine mounts, suspension bushings, fuel lines, etc. It has ruined an O2 sensor for me, and Ive seen where it has caused alternators to go bad and even catch fire.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: asand1
Oil will deteriorate engine mounts, suspension bushings, fuel lines, etc. It has ruined an O2 sensor for me, and Ive seen where it has caused alternators to go bad and even catch fire.

Oil fires. I forgot about those. I had a 2.2 in a k car that when driven at highway speeds would spray oil and it would end up on the exhaust manifold and catch fire. Driving in town wasn't an issue though.

 

[RiceCake]

Killing your starter motor.

I used to own a Ford Tempo. Oil leaking out coated the starter, which promptly was coated with a thick paste of road grit, which eventually formed basically a grinding compound that wore the thing to bits when it finally migrated into it.

 

[VicVinegar]

Good question. I have what appears to be a rear main seal leak, and the labor involved makes it a pricey proposition just to fix what may drop a few teaspoons of oil while sitting overnight.