My Max has been leaking for four years and 50,000 miles now, and I'm finally laying out $1300 to have the timing cover, both oil pans, and the valve covers resealed. The engine runs perfect, so I figured I'd fix it up instead of buying a new one. While the timing cover is off, should I have anything else replaced or checked in there? Thanks.

 

For that price, I'd rather drop in a VQ35 or another 3.0 liter in there.

 

 

I would have done that except the following happened. I took the car in and they diagnosed the leaks as coming from the valve covers, oil pressure sending unit, and both oil pans: $695.00. I had them do it, but then they found out that the majority of the leak was coming from the timing cover, a $1200 job. They felt bad for not catching it to begin with, so they offered me the repair for half the price. I was already into the existing engine for $695, so I told them to go ahead.

Turns out that the cost was right on par with replacing the engine with a red-topped 3.0 from a 5th gen (about $1500 installed), which sucks, but I'm pretty much stuck w/ my engine now.

 

Took them 3 hours?

 

uhm if they are fixing the timing cover chances are they will take the engine out... Because its an insane job im not saying it cant be done in the car but if they want to make sure its done right im pretty sure they would take the engine out. But anyway junkyard engines with < 40k go for 300$ and most places offer a 1 year warranty. Since you already layed out alot of money have them replace teh water pump if it hasnt been replaced recently.