Suya

Hello all.

Past few weeks, I am noticing that engine oil is leaking from my 90 Max. After driving, when I park my car, about 10-12 droop goes down on the floor.

I took my car to a mechanics. He said that it would cost $1,000 to fix it. He said that it is dangerous to drive around like this. It might catch fire. So I must get it repaired ASAP.

That is a huge $$$ for me. One of my friends suggested that 10-12 droops leak is nothing. You can drive like that. Just check your engine oil regularly.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Is it ok to drive like that or get rid of the car (since I don't want to spend 1K)? (both $$$ and safety first )

gbelnap

Have you isolated where the oil is leaking from?

The only place that should be that expensive is the rear main seal. You have to pull the engine and transmission together, then separate and replace seal.

The front engine seals, valve cover seals, and oil pan seal should not be that bad to replace.

lophix

iTrader: (3)

it could also be your gaskets. the screws were loose and when we tighten them, it started leaking oil slowly. it's stopped now though. still havent replaced the gaskets.

CandiMan

iTrader: (1)

Unless it's the rear main seal leaking (even that is questionable) there is nothing that should cost $1000 to repair a oil leak problem. Ask him exactly where it's leaking from and break down why it would cost $1000 to repair. From a outsider looking in, it appears 1)he's trying to get over on you 2)he really don't want to do the job so he gave you a rediculous estimate hoping you'll say forget it or 3)he's trying to get over on you.

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

Actually, it's the FRONT main seal that would cost that much on a VG.

The rear main seal "only" requires removal of the tranny and flywheel/flexplate. (and no, you DON'T have to remove the engine to do that) that's a couple hundred bucks worth of labor at most. I pulled a tranny and replaced a clutch in 4.5 hours a few weeks ago. that's ~$340 at $75/hour.

the front main seal on a VG requires removal of the timing belt, which I've seen quoted as a $600 job.

The only other common places to leak on that engine are the valve cover gaskets, which are an easy fix. over time, most of the screws have vibrated loose and the rubber seals have shrunk. simply tighten the screws until they're snug by hand, and the leaks should stop. if not, then it requires removal of the intake manifold to replace the gaskets. this is a 2-3 hour job at most for a qualified mechanic..

there is NO WAY this should cost you $1000 to fix. Go to another mechanic.

Suya

Thanks guys. It was a big help. I was really mad about his pricing. I will take some other auto repair shops also. Now I can take like I know some thing. I won't let him go all over me. I will update you guys on this.
Thanks.

D-sta

iTrader: (6)

Yeah just go to another mechanic that is a ridiculous price, i'm sure that the other shop you'll go to will give you a much better price and make sure you ask the technician what exactly is leaking.

eric93SE

iTrader: (1)

If it does turn out to be your front main seal, and it takes that much labor to do the job like Matt was saying. Then I would suggest that you have the water pump, timming belt, and thermostate changed along with the oil seal job. You'll save a bunch of $$ in the long run.

keener

Could also be the front side, rear cam seal(by #1 cylinder) or maybe the power steering pump which is ont he lower back side of the engine. Leaking p/s pumps are common on VG's I have never seen the front cam by cylinder #2 leak. This may have something to do with the distributor placement. BTW the front main or crank seal is not that hard to change. If this is the problem, make sure you or your mechanic replaces the t-belt, water pump, and thermostat at the same time. This will save you money in the long run.

wicked_ryder

i had the same problem when i purchased my 1991 maxima, a few oil drips from time to time, nothing to worry bout at. I took it to the mechanic an it was only the oil pan needed to be changed. It had little pin holes rusted through it. cost me couple hundred an that was it!!