When to fix an oil leak?

[KentState]

Took my '03 Mazda 6 in for the airbag recall. Since it hasn't been to an actual dealership in years, they took it upon themselves to do an inspection. It's free, so whatever. Of course they come back with a list of maintenance items. The only one that was of concern was that the oil pan, crank and vavle cover gaskets are leaking. Thing is the car doesn't consume any noticeable amount of oil between changes ~5k intervals. Any reason to get it fixed now or is watching oil consumption the best course of action?

 

[unokitty]

Took my '03 Mazda 6 in for the airbag recall. Since it hasn't been to an actual dealership in years, they took it upon themselves to do an inspection. It's free, so whatever. Of course they come back with a list of maintenance items. The only one that was of concern was that the oil pan, crank and vavle cover gaskets are leaking. Thing is the car doesn't consume any noticeable amount of oil between changes ~5k intervals. Any reason to get it fixed now or is watching oil consumption the best course of action?

If its not consuming oil, I wouldn't be motivated to do anything.

Except perhaps to get a second opinion... (In general, I use a dealer for warranty work, but once warranty is over, I prefer an independent shop.)

Best of luck,
Uno

 

[jlee]

If you aren't noticing oil on the ground and you aren't noticing oil consumption, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[NutBucket]

Is it dripping on the driveway? I wouldn't bother until it becomes a nuisance.

 

[LTC8K6]

IIRC, the concern would be the valve cover leak and oil on the spark plugs/boots?

I'm not sure of the arrangement with that car, but you don't want oil puddling around the plugs.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Don't take your car to a dealer....EVER. Not only did they find problems....they can create ones for their business. Who is to say mechanic didn't pop a screw driver into the gasket?


Anyways, our Mazda MPV has been leaking oil (slowly) from a camshaft seal for over 8 years. Not going to fix it, it's a major job and the leak is not simply bad enough to justify fixing it.

 

[Vdubchaos]

If its not consuming oil, I wouldn't be motivated to do anything.

Except perhaps to get a second opinion... (In general, I use a dealer for warranty work, but once warranty is over, I prefer an independent shop.)

Best of luck,
Uno

I've had VW dealer do warranty work and screw that up.....free oil changes/didn't put the cap back on or overtightened the plug.....

I decided to pay for my own oil/filter and just do it myself.

 

[JimKiler]

Don't take your car to a dealer....EVER. Not only did they find problems....they can create ones for their business. Who is to say mechanic didn't pop a screw driver into the gasket?


Anyways, our Mazda MPV has been leaking oil (slowly) from a camshaft seal for over 8 years. Not going to fix it, it's a major job and the leak is not simply bad enough to justify fixing it.

I think 3rd party mechanics can be more shady than dealership service centers. Actually i trust a dealership service center more but as with all mechanics find an honest one and use them exclusively if you can.

OP just get a can of that engine stop leak stuff. I would not use it regularily but my old Ford escort would be low on oil whenever i changed it and i never saw oil leak or burn. I put that stuff in twice, over 12 months and it stopped.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I think 3rd party mechanics can be more shady than dealership service centers. Actually i trust a dealership service center more but as with all mechanics find an honest one and use them exclusively if you can.

Correct

Finding a trusted mechanic is HARD.

Now you see why I take the following approach.

"If you want shit done right, do it yourself"

No ONE will ever care about your stuff or the work that's done on it more than you.

 

[KentState]

Thanks for the advice. Will just watch for oil consumption and go from there. Didn't think it was a big issue, but glad I asked.