Should I fix a small oil leak on my car with almost 200,000 miles?

[Car guy]

My 2012 Fiat 500 has a small oil leak. Fix or just add oil every so often? Two hours labor plus a $20 gasket. Thoughts?

 

[JeffKeryk]

I hate leaks. Fix it if it is in the budget. Remember, small leaks tend to get bigger...

 

[JWC86]

You plan to keep the car ? If yes than I would fix it if it were me.

 

[PimTac]

Where is the leak?

 

[DejaVue]

You plan to keep the car ? If yes than I would fix it if it were me.

You plan to sell the car ? If yes than I would fix it if it were me.

haha. Whether keeping or selling, it's an easy fix, so fix it. Not fixing it means I might even avoid parking on someone's nice driveway knowing I might leave an oil stain.

 

[Lubener]

If the leak poses no fire hazzards and as you say the leak is small, I would leave it as is and maintain the oil level. If and when the leak worsens, then I would get it fixed.

 

[DuckRyder]

for 2 hours and 20 bucks i would fix it.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

If it's the valve cover gasket, it shouldn't be too difficult.

 

[zzyzzx]

for 2 hours and 20 bucks i would fix it.

If it's MY two hours, sure. Paying someone else's 2 hour shop rate for a nuisance leak, no.

 

[The Critic]

2hrs? yes

20 hrs? depends.

 

[BISCUT]

for 2 hours and 20 bucks i would fix it.

2Hr to fix a leak that will likely grow over time? No-brainer to me. That is unless you plan to sell soon.

 

[zzyzzx]

2Hr to fix a leak that will likely grow over time? No-brainer to me. That is unless you plan to sell soon.

I've had nuisance leaks that went on for decades. Plus it's a Fiat 500, so how much longer is it going to last?

 

[Escape08]

200K miles on a 2012 Fiat 500? Wow !!!

 

[sw99]

I would leave it if it's small. Thats a lot of miles on a Fiat anyway.

 

[PontiacHO]

It all depends on how much has to be disturbed to gain access to the leak… Old stuff tends to be rusted, brittle, and better left alone on old high mileage vehicles. Saying that to say sometimes you create more issues than fixing.

 

[Tdbo]

If the leak poses no fire hazzards and as you say the leak is small, I would leave it as is and maintain the oil level. If and when the leak worsens, then I would get it fixed.

Agreed. Either when the leak gets bad or you have other work done on the vehicle which presents the perfect opportunity to replace the gasket for little additional cost.

 

[The Critic]

Agreed. Either when the leak gets bad or you have other work done on the vehicle which presents the perfect opportunity to replace the gasket for little additional cost.

In NY, a self-lubricating chassis has some rust-prevention benefits.

 

[Hillbilly Deluxe]

You have a Fiat 500 that made it 200k miles?

Yes, I would definitely fix that leak. You might have bought a car meant for some corporate exec at Chrysler

 

[JavierH19]

For 2hrs and a Jackson I'd do it.

 

[BISCUT]

I've had nuisance leaks that went on for decades. Plus it's a Fiat 500, so how much longer is it going to last?

I'm shocked it made it 200k. And OP is in Orchard Park (Buffalo ). Fiat is not what I'd be rocking in Buffalo!