Oil leak

[FABulous]

My friend suggested that I post this automobile topic here. Here goes......Precision Auto, the brake store, told me that I have an oil leak somewhere in my car. They wanted to clean my car with a super pressure sprayer, put drops of some kind of chemical in my system, and let me drive for about 100 miles. When I come back, they said they were going to use UV light to see where the leak came from. The estimate for the clean and chemical was 60 bucks. No estimate on how much it was going to cost to fix the leak. Anyone know a better/cheaper way?

 

[Vette73]

OMG!!! NEVER go to a Precision Auto(Tune?) or Brake Store? You are talking about the national chain ones correct?? If so they are some of the worst places to go. Always find a good independent shop and stay there.

 

That's pretty standard if they don't know where the leak is coming from. I'd take it to another mechanic - a brake shop isn't really the first place I'd take my car if it had an oil leak.

 

[Brutuskend]

Probably about 90% of the time it will be either valve cover gaskets or oil pan gaskets.
Tighten the bolts on both and see if it doesn't go away.

 

[FABulous]

Thanks, I'll check the gaskets. Any ideas on the best way to find an independant mechanic? I'm just worried that they'll rip me off (not that Precision Tune is any better....).

 

[GroundZero]

if your motor is really caked with crud then get a can of degreaser and clean the motor yourself.
then when you park at night put a piece of cardboard under the motor compartment.
in the morning you will be able to get a good idea of what general area the oil is leaking and then it should be fairly easy to find the leak on the motor from there.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Would cleaning the engine yourself and adding dye yourself be possible?

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
Probably about 90% of the time it will be either valve cover gaskets or oil pan gaskets.
Tighten the bolts on both and see if it doesn't go away.

Of course overtightening opens up a whole new can of worms

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
Probably about 90% of the time it will be either valve cover gaskets or oil pan gaskets.
Tighten the bolts on both and see if it doesn't go away.

Of course overtightening opens up a whole new can of worms

I strip the threads on all my oil pan bolts as a matter of principle. :evil:

 

[FABulous]

Does anyone have any advice on finding a good local mechanic?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: FABulous
Does anyone have any advice on finding a good local mechanic?

Talk to your freinds and see who they take it to, Go to a auto parts store and sk a couple of them who is hinest and knows a lot, etc....


I get most of my new customers from those 2 groups right there, well before I moved to Raleigh NC that is