Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
My sister just called in a panic...I advised to just take a deep breath and I'd do some checking.
She has a mazda that has over 100k miles and it has started it's decline.
It's a 'gasket leak- seal- in the lower crankcase' and will cost between $1100 and $1200.
She maintains her car...her last oil change they came out with the clip board telling her she needs this and that and she says, "okay". One of the things was a new gasket for the motor. That week as she drove the car an oil smell came. She took it back up to the dealership who says it was a normal smell due to the oilchange. Today she goes back in for her new oilchange and they tell her the oil smell was the new gasket leak.....
no, my sister isn't an avid consumer....and they are ripping her off....
But my question is....
is there a product in a jar or can that can be poured in that might seal up any gasket leaks?
And is $1100 about right for replacing the crankcase gasket?
Are we talking about the oil pan gasket? If thats what we're talking about, $1,100 isn't only robbery, but it's rape and pillage as well.
That said, there are products out there that claim to be gasket sealers, etc. There will be several different kinds of them for sale at any Auto Parts store. Just ask the clerk.
Whether or not it would "slow the leak" on your sister's car is anybody's guess. I'd guess "No", but the bright side is that it's not going to hurt anything to try.
Omaha, I think the dealership just used the word "crankcase" to be a fancy word...because I had to google it.....turns out that's just the thing the oil goes in!
And he said, "lower crankcase"..... so why isn't he just using layman's terms?
It sounds like it is leaking oil. It is not worth fixing on an old Mazda with over 100,000 miles. Tell here just to check the oil every few days, and add oil as needed. It is a hell of a lot cheaper than fixing it. My old Escort leaks oil from 3 places, so this is what I do. The higher mileage oils such as Maxlife will help a lot, but they will not completely fix it.
It does leak....a small amount so tiny that in between oil changes it doesn't need much of a top off. But where it leaks under (probably like omaha said- oil pan area aka lower crankcase) it gets warm/hot and produces that smell.
Hillrunner- it's not the headgasket-but you are right...for that price it should be....
I really do appreciate everyone's responses. My sister and I don't know anything about cars and I get the sense she's getting ripped off and she's coming to me for help... but ultimately it's going to be up to her to either let them bilk her or not.
But if she doesn't pay the $1100, and just uses the jar stuff and just ensures it has oil.... the car will just last as long as it will last, right? I don't want to steer her wrong.
It does leak....a small amount so tiny that in between oil changes it doesn't need much of a top off. But where it leaks under (probably like omaha said- oil pan area aka lower crankcase) it gets warm/hot and produces that smell.
Hillrunner- it's not the headgasket-but you are right...for that price it should be....
I really do appreciate everyone's responses. My sister and I don't know anything about cars and I get the sense she's getting ripped off and she's coming to me for help... but ultimately it's going to be up to her to either let them bilk her or not.
But if she doesn't pay the $1100, and just uses the jar stuff and just ensures it has oil.... the car will just last as long as it will last, right? I don't want to steer her wrong.
Yes, as long as she keeps up on the oil, it will not harm anything. Look into this oil below. It has cut my leaks in half at least.
It depends where the oil is actually leaking from.
The crankshaft will have an oil seal at either end.
If the rearmost one is leaking, then it could contaminate the clutch if it's a manual box.
Even if it's an auto, engine oil leaking into the bellhousing is not great.
The front crank seal could leak onto the timing belt, which will eventually weaken it, and a broken timing belt is not good !!
The rear crank seal will require either engine or transmission removal to replace.
the front crank seal should be able to be done in car.
The only other option i can see is that the oilpan/sump/crankcase ITSELF is leaking.
i don't know about mazda, but many cars don't have a gasket between the c/case and block, they use a chemical gasket.
which will require the sump to be removed to strip all the old sealer off.
Oilpan removal on a FWD car can be a total PITA depending on the layout ! !!
Maybe the oilpan itself has become damaged, or warped, and requires replacement.
Many older cars with steel oilpans have trouble with them rusting, and they eventually go porous, and leak.
I can't comment on prices, as a non-US resident, I have no idea about labour charges etc, but if it is just to replace a gasket, it seems excessive.
I'd be thinking they think she's a soft touch, and are trying to shaft her.
I'd certainly suggest a second opinion.
I used to work i a garage, and i know how "creative" some of them can be.
If it's not a bad oil leak, then just check it regularly, and run with it
i have an old diesel Escort, being British, it pretty much came from the factory with an oil leak, and i've just learned to lve with it.
So long as the usage isn't excessive. the escort uses a litre every two or three weeks.
i just put in the cheap stuff, it regulatly changes it's own oil anyway !!
Chances are it was the rear main seal leaking to start with and not the oil pan gasket. They replaced the gasket but that didn't fix the leak. I've seen it happen many times.
If possible, have another shop look at it and see what they find. The best way to find an oil leak is with dye, yellow glasses and a black light. You can pinpoint the source of the leak and not just what's covered with oil.
Go back and talk to the dealer that replaced the gasket and see if they'll apply the money already spent towards replacing the seal. It's worth a shot if it was the seal leaking all along.
All of this is just a guess without actually seeing the car. Good luck.
Oh, make sure they replace the PCV valve. If it's clogged the crankcase pressure will build and that can cause a lot of oil leaks.
What year, model and engine size?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
