What Happens When You Don't Change Your Oil?

A lot of things happen to your engine when you don't change the oil. None of them good. In this video I highlight what happens to the rubber seals in your engine if you go extended periods between oil changes.

I was able to repair this 2002 3.5RL by replacing the valve cover gaskets and cam seals. However, there still may be issues with some of the other rubber seals down the road. As I said in the video, this effects all the rubber seals in the engine, not just the valve covers.

It may seem obvious, but be sure to change your oil on a regular basis to avoid the same fate.

Thanks for watching!

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[TheOverisel]

When recommending oil change intervals you must remind the masses TO CHECK THEIR OIL LEVEL BETWEEN THE CHANGES!!! So many cars even newer cars consume oil. Need to keep it topped off.

[WhoThisGuy]

With lots of cars that use timing chains, not changing the oil frequently enough is the #1 reason i've seen for engine failures. The guides and chains don't get the correct lubrication and wear down much quicker and the oil galleries to the tensioners get plugged up with gunk. The tensioner eventually gets packed full of sludge and no longer hold the chain tight as the guides wear at an accelerated rate.

[FredSanchez_]

Eric, thanks for covering the "why" it's important to do regular oil changes. We're always told it needs to be done but not very often why it's so crucial.

[jakewilkerson]

It’s happens due to age as well. 92 Accord all the original seals were like that. Owned the vehicle since 24k and has quality synthetics every 3-5k.

[tcoupe]

I change my oil and filter every 5k with Mobil 1. My '02 Sonata had really bad leaking valve covers around the 250k mark . Changed valve cover gaskets and the old ones were hard and brittle like these, which leads me to believe that that age and heat cycles lend more to this problem than not changing your oil regularly.

[mrcokez]

eric i so happy youre back... and yes i noticed just recently... been binge watching all night.
Love ya tons

[nickbruns]

My Dad was a mechanic for over 20 years. He taught me that there are cheap things you can do for maintenance that will save big repairs later on, you can do yourself thanks to guys like Eric's amazing videos on YouTube, and Internet help...oil/filter change, PCV valves, transmission fluid/filter, coolant changes, spark plugs, and cheap scan tools. Anything to keep it out of the shop in the first place. If you're really mechanically inclined, you can rent special tools for harder stuff like axles, sensors, seals, brakes etc.

[Eremon]

I really like the visual reference you give with the crumbly seals. I'd have liked you to mention the reason that happens but I can do it for you.

My understanding is that oil degrades over time. As this happens it becomes acidic from the exhaust chemistry going on in the oil during normal running conditions from combustion. Basically your oil becomes acidic over time and that degrades the seals and gaskets. That's why it's important to change your oil on a regular basis. I just retired my 1997 Pontiac Grand Am at over 1 million Kilometers(near 800k miles). So believe me when I tell you changing your fluids regularly makes all the difference in the world.

[frugalprepper]

Great video Eric. My personal philosophy has always been that I would rather run a lower cost oil and change it more often.

[edharry]

Right on The Money, Eric .Up in Boston here, we change our oil/filter every 3000 miles, lots of traffic{stop&go} better safe than sorry.

[sparklander]

Your topic and advise were spot on and the camera seemed especially sharp today -- great close ups of EricTheCarGuy.

[nw]

Was putting off replacing my oil cause of the snow, but I have changed my mind. Thank you Eric

[tiborgyorfi]

Best car channel on Youtube. Keep it up Eric!

[semco]

I change the oil in my vehicles regularly and always have done it.That is one thing I have stressed to everyone I know and tell them that if they want to keep their vehicles running for an extended period of time they should perform regular maintenance on their vehicles.

[danguest]

Hey Eric had a great time hanging out with you and the fairmont at the caffeine and octane event. They say never meet your hero’s but they can kiss my ass because it was awesome. Thank you brother!

[allan]

Finally someone explained the oil change thing down to the dummy level... With that, I also appreciate the added tidbit portion about your personal maintenance/interval change recommendation. That helps me judge myself and if I'm doing this right. BTW, 2 cars Toyota and Ford. 244, 000 and 279, 000 and counting. No issues on leaks. Obvious exception when I ignored the interval recommendations. Wont do that again! Leaking tranny (obviously monitoring), and replaced power steering pump (never changed fluid).

[E-N-A-R-D-L-A-V]

I once worked on a car that the oil actually came out like a blob. They hadn't changed the oil in so long that the oil had actually built up carbon on the heads, the only way to remove it was to knock it off with a screw driver and vacuum it up. It needed 6 engine flushes to clean it up and all new gaskets. I scolded my mother-in-law viciously for it, the whole job (a simple oil change) took me 2 days to complete, but the car was much happier for it. She only puts about 4k miles a year on the car, but she brings it up to me once a year for oil changes now. I think she learned her lesson, because what I did for her for free would have cost her as much as $600 at a shop.

[ViperJay]

I had a 2005 Chevy Impala that leaked oil badly. I'd lose about 3 quarts in between oil changes which I'd do about every 3, 500-4, 000 miles. I believe these fixes you did to this vehicle were what I needed with the Impala. I chose to trade it in since it had many other problems that I wasn't willing to invest in.

[tflkwiz]

The previous owner of my foxbody did the same thing. I have been replacing seals left and right. I am shocked this little 302 still runs so well.

[thomasphilyaw]

I agree to a point. I have an 06 Odyssey with 300k miles and just changed gaskets due to leaks. I think age was the issue here, but they lasted that long BECAUSE I change my oil every 5k. Great video Eric. If only people would realize that oil/filter changing alone every 5k prevents a multitude of issues.