Oil Leaks, Oil Weeps, and Warranties, Oh My!

Drivetrain Oil Leaks Vs Oil Weeps: Is There A Difference?

A situation where the oil that's supposed to be inside of your drivetrain is visible on the outside of your drivetrain is less always less than ideal. And in this situation, truck drivers and fleet managers tend to go one of two ways — either high-tailing it to the mechanic or, if the truck is still drivable, letting it go until it truly becomes a problem.

Your first line of defense when there's an oil issue is knowing what you're looking at — is it a true oil leak or is it an oil weep? What do those mean and how can they affect your warranty coverage? Let's talk it out so you can have a better idea of what you're getting yourself into.

What Does An Oil Leak Look Like?

Of course, the tell-tale sign of an oil leak is usually a slick puddle of greasy brown liquid underneath the car, but it's important to note that not all oil leaks drip onto the ground. In some cases, such as on your drivetrain, an oil leak can manifest itself as a sludgy-looking buildup on axle components that has become crusty over time with contaminants sticking to it.

No matter where you see an oil leak, it's not a pretty picture, but in general, a true oil leak can be characterized by a flow of oil – it could be a lot or a little – that may either drip underneath your car or build-up along your truck's components depending on the severity, location, and cause of the leak.

It is also important to note that an oil weep is something completely different.

What Is An Oil Weep?

It's often the nature of the business to only pay attention to certain areas of the truck during pre and post-trip inspections or to put seemingly low-priority issues on the back burner. But when it comes to an oil weep on your drivetrain, you should know what to look for and what it means.

An oil weep is characterized by a visibly discolored area where oil has been oozing. The area of the weep looks damp or wet, but not enough to drip. Oil weeps look less urgent than a leak upon observation but keep in mind that this means your oil is still escaping from somewhere on your drivetrain. Oil weeps shouldn't be ignored as they may turn into leaks if left unaddressed.

Oil Leaks, Oil Weeps, and Warranties

Oil leaks and oil weeps not only look different, but another important distinction between the two could lie in the warranty coverage for your driveshaft components. For example, Dana Spicer driveshaft parts are warrantied to cover oil leaks, but oil weeps are not covered. This is because not all oil weeps become oil leaks.

When you observe either an oil leak or an oil weep, check your warranty coverage on the part. And even if it's not covered, that doesn't mean you should ignore the weep until it becomes a leak.

What's Causing My Oil Leak?

Like most issues in your truck or fleet, there isn't just one way to get an oil leak. Oil leaks can occur anywhere where oil is used for lubrication and could be as simple as getting your oil changed or as complicated as a crack in your engine block.

As far as your drivetrain goes, oil seal leaks can be caused by contaminated lubricant, excessive shaft endplay, and incorrect installation techniques. It's a good best practice to measure the driveshaft's endplay before disassembling the components. If it's out of spec, it is just a matter of time before you've got another busted seal and oil leak on your hands — or on the ground. Rather than just putting a bandaid on the problem and waiting for another fix, replace oil seals, gaskets, oil filters, and your other driveshaft components as necessary.

Where to Buy Replacement Driveshaft Components

We are your premier source for OE driveshaft components from some of the most trusted names in the industry. Our Dana Spicer driveshaft axles, end yokes, u-joints, and more will help ensure your drivetrain stays balanced mile after mile so you can focus on the journey ahead.

Create an account or sign in today and shop our selection of all-makes drivetrain components from Dana Spicer.

Key Points: Oil Leaks Versus Oil Weeps

• Oil leaks and oil weeps are different and can also have different warranty coverage
• Oil leaks are a flow of oil that either drips on the ground or oozes outside and crusts over
• Oil weeps are visible as damp or wet areas but do not drip
• Oil leaks are covered by many warranties; oil weeps are often not
• Oil weeps do not always become oil leaks but both should be immediately addressed before a catastrophic failure happens

Contact us to learn more or shop our full line of drivetrain components today!