Hey guys, back with a new problem and in need of some input. A few weeks ago my car started leaking coolant very badly one day after work. Took car to the mechanic and he said it was the water pump so I had them replace it. They said it would take them one day, ended up taking two (he said he took it to his other shop because there is a mechanic there that is more familiar with these cars)

The next morning I notice an oil spot under my car as I leave for work, never leaked oil before so I took it to the mechanic before work. He says they don't see an oil leak and give it back.

I take it back again the following day and he says they have found the problem: the front crank seal is bad. He then tells me it will be $150 to replace. I get pissed and he tells me it isn't there fault, even though the mechanic had to remove the crank and used the old seal. He calls me back a few minutes later and tells me spoke to the boss and that they would "good will" the install, assuring me that he let the boss know it wasn't their fault though.

Of course I get the car back and you know what? Still leaking oil. Again it goes back and he sprays the engine down and says that they can't find the leak, it's somewhere on te front of the motor. It is pretty high on the motor and is getting oil on my alternator. Now my alternator is going to need replaced, but I know this will happen again since it's still leaking oil.

Now, after all of that background story, does anyone have any insight? Are there any common areas that could leak oil around the alternator after a water pump replacement? I was looking Round for a while earlier and saw that it may be the timing case cover. Does this have to be removed and replaced during a water pump replacement (sorry Idk this)?

I'm just looking for anything you guys have to offer. I know I don't have a lot of details about the leak, but I am wondering if someone has experienced it before.

Thanks so much in advance, you guys are amazing.

Adam

 

No need to remove the timing cover to replace the water pump, there are access covers specifically to remove it and the tensioner.

Why did they have to remove the crank to replace a crank seal? Are you aware of how much labor there is involved in that?

Can you actually take pictures of where's it's leaking from? Is it around the CPS, the seal on top of the timing cover, where?

 

Unless they dropped something during the replacement and had to pull the cover there's no reason to open anything other than the small access cover directly over the pump and tensioner, that doesn't sound like your explanation of the leak.

Although if it took two days instead of one.... well maybe the job got harder than they planned.

 

rookie techs are as bad as crooked ones. i've had garage's do stuff the hard way causing other problems like this. i think pmohr and other orger are right, water pump has a spot to take out. if they took crank out and put in old seal, well, they're idiots.