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Is it bad if I spill oil on my engine? What could happen?
So I attempted my first oil change by myself at home. It didn’t go well. My dog came running into the garage and knocked into me. Is it bad if I spill oil on my engine?
Matt Terzi · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
We’re glad to hear you decided to change your own oil, and we’re sorry it didn’t go well. All sorts of problems can arise from an engine oil spill—and many of them can even be dangerous!
Oil inside your engine is great. It keeps critical engine components lubricated and cool. But spill it on the outside your engine, and you can cause serious damage, not to mention the major fire risk.
Before you do anything at all, finish topping off your oil. If you spill again, you’ll end up cleaning up the same mess twice.
Electrical systems and belts are your two biggest concerns here. Electrical systems can break down or catch fire, while a serpentine belt can slip up and cause more damage to the car. The engine’s heat, especially from manifolds, can cause a fire.
Your first step should be to clean up the excess oil as best you can using rags. Paper towels can be useful too, though a cloth rag will usually do a better job.
Search thoroughly for globs and pools of oil wherever you can find them. Take your time and get as much as you can. Pulleys, belts, and electrical systems should get extra attention.
Next, use a can of degreaser to break down any oil you can see. You can find degreaser at any auto parts store. It cuts through oil and grease so you can clean more quickly and easily.
In this process, never spray your engine with a garden hose. You don’t want any water to get into your electrical systems!
Once you’re confident you’ve gotten up all of the oil, start the car up and monitor it closely with a fire extinguisher nearby. You might hear some squealing noises and might smell burning oil, but that’s normal. A tiny little wisp of smoke that goes away is nothing to worry about either. But if you see smoke—or worse, fire—kill the engine immediately.
We hope this guide helped you get your oil spill cleaned up. And don’t forget to use
Jerry
, America’s #1 top-rated app for car insurance
, to compare quotes and find hundreds of dollars in savings per year. MORE: How to remove grease and oil from a car interior
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