Oil leaks
Generator Oil Leak Repairs
We trace generator oil leaks to the joint that is actually leaking, then repair it. Oil on the canopy floor, a wet sump or a falling level means oil is escaping, but the puddle rarely sits right under the leak. The usual sources are the oil filter, the drain plug, a hose, a seal, the rocker cover, the sump gasket, an oil cooler, a fitting or the pressure sensor.
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- We follow the oil to its source
- Oil level checked on every visit
- Leak confirmed on the engine, not from a photo
- Onsite across Gauteng
Oil on the outside
Why is my generator leaking oil?
A joint that should be sealed is not. Heat, vibration and a disturbed filter or drain plug are common reasons a leak starts after a service or a long run. Oil runs downhill, so the puddle usually sits below the real leak.
Each leak point leaves oil in a different place: the filter sealing face, the drain plug washer, the rocker-cover and sump gaskets, the crankshaft seals, the oil-cooler joints and hoses, and the pressure sensor. We clean the engine down and watch where fresh oil appears, which tells us far more than an old stain.
A leak that drops the level can set off a low oil-pressure alarm. We repair the leak you can see and test the pressure fault separately, so mention both if both are happening.
Joints that weep
Filters, seals, coolers and sensors
Oil filter and drain plug leaks
A doubled gasket, a pinched seal or a reused plug washer leaks as soon as the engine builds pressure. We check these first because they are common after a service.
Generator engine seal leaks
Rocker covers, sump joints and shaft seals weep with heat and age. We look for the highest wet point, not the lowest puddle.
Oil cooler and hose leaks
Cooler cores, banjo bolts and flexible hoses leak under pressure, and the oil runs down until it looks like a sump leak. We trace it back up to its source.
Oil pressure sensor leaks
The sensor thread or its seal can weep. That is an external leak, and a different fault from a sensor that reads the wrong pressure.
Oil leaks and low oil pressure
A small weep may not affect pressure, but a leak that empties the sump will. If an oil-pressure alarm is on as well, tell us, and please do not run the set to watch the leak.
How we diagnose generator oil leaks
We check the level, clean the engine down and run it under control just long enough for fresh oil to show the source. Your photo helps us prepare, and the inspection confirms the joint.
Common Questions
Questions about generator oil leaks
Why is my generator leaking oil?
Because a seal, gasket, filter, plug, hose or fitting is no longer holding the oil in. We trace the leak to its source, which is often well above the puddle.
Can you tell the source from a photo?
A photo helps us prepare, but it cannot confirm the joint. Oil runs downhill, so we inspect the engine to find the highest wet point.
It started leaking after a service. What does that suggest?
Usually the filter sealing face, a doubled gasket or the drain plug washer. We check those before we remove any covers.
Is a small leak safe to leave?
Not for long. A weep can turn into a low oil level, and oil on a hot engine is a good reason to fix it early. The leak rate and the level decide how urgent it is.
The oil-pressure alarm is on as well. Is that the leak?
Only if the level has fallen far enough to affect pressure. A wet engine with a full sump is a leak. Low pressure with a full sump is a pressure fault, which we test separately.
Could the pressure sensor be the leak?
Yes. A sensor can weep at the thread, which is a different fault from a sensor that reads low.
What should I do before the visit?
Do not run the set if you think the level is low, keep the canopy closed, and send us a photo of any oil you can see outside the set.
Still unsure what the fault is? Call or WhatsApp 082 057 4605 for onsite diagnosis.
Service Areas
Onsite visits across Gauteng
We come to your generator anywhere in Gauteng, 24/7. Choose your region for local suburbs, call-out details and the faults we see most there.
What to send before we attend
These details help us plan the visit and bring the right parts. Send what you can on WhatsApp; if you can’t find the model number, we still book the visit.
- Location
- The suburb or site, so the visit can be booked in the right area.
- Make and model
- The generator brand and model, if they are known.
- kVA
- The size printed on the data plate.
- Fuel type
- Diesel, petrol, LPG, natural gas, or dual-fuel.
- Controller model
- The module name on the panel, when it is visible.
- Fault or alarm
- What the set does, and any text on the screen.
- Photos
- The generator, the data plate, and the controller or alarm. Send these on WhatsApp.
Book a Visit
Send us a photo of the oil you can see
Tell us whether the level is dropping and whether an oil-pressure alarm is showing too.
- Call
- 082 057 4605
- Message us on WhatsApp
What happens next
- We reply with questions about the generator, or to book a visit.
- A technician comes to you. For a breakdown we arrive within 1 hour.
- The fault is diagnosed on site and you get a written quote. No work starts until you accept it.
Charlie, lead technician: Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Degree in Electrical Engineering, Diesel Plant Fitter. Generator specialists since 2000.