732002 Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 I noticed a little oil on the driveway and asked the mechanic to look. They say leaks from cam seals,oil pump O rings, and crankshaft seal and that oil on the timing belt can cause the belt to break. Is this true? They say it should be fixed in several months. For $800 they will fix the seals,change timing belt,waterpump and valve cover gaskets. for $1200-$1500 the Head gaskets could be done plus all the other work. I bought the car at 96K and now has 128K I don't know if the head gaskets had been replaced before I bought. What would you do? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBrian Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 Wash the engine (perhaps with one of those engine degreaser products, but soap, water, and elbow grease have always worked for me) and see where it leaks. If it's getting on the timing belt, yep, I'd re-seal it. I might have a leaky driver's side valve cover (either that or poor aim with an oil bottle, time will tell), but the only place mine's ever dripped on to the driveway from is the oil drain plug. Which is not to say yours isn't leaking from one or more of the seals your mechanic mentioned. Does your water pump *need* changing? Do your valve covers leak? Also, I'd get a second opinion before giving a thousand dollars to a mechanic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
732002 Posted March 17, 2005 Author Share Posted March 17, 2005 I took a look under the car. The front cover (not sure if that is what it is called) looked damp on both sides. This could be from cam seals and or crank seal. Valve covers did not seem that bad. Could be oil blowing back from from front cover? I think the water pump is recomended because they will be there and 128K miles. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outback_97 Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 Does it look like this? That's what mine looked like when the oil pump o-ring was leaking, oil was pooling in the bottom of the timing belt cover and seeping through the t.b. cover gasket. No big drips on the ground, it would just blow back when driving. I had my timing belt replaced when the oil leak was fixed, for the same reasons mentioned above (concern that the belt was compromised). Hope this helps. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
732002 Posted March 18, 2005 Author Share Posted March 18, 2005 Thanks for the picture. Mine looks worse. I will get it fixed before summer. Might also do the head gaskets since I don't know if they have ever been done. Also there is a improved gasket. I plan on keeping the car. There goes my tax refund! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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