Lil' Leak

[Miroslav Schinkenblatt]

Hey guys, Butch says I have a tiny oil seal leak near the timing belt in my L300 - about 1000$ to fix it. I havent seen any evidence (no drips on the ground). I know I should get it fixed ASAP, but ASAP might be in a little while. My question is: can this repair hold off for a little while or is this a huge deal? Seems like an awful lot of dough.

Sorry I am all questions at this point - I will start contributing something more interesting soon!

[nxski]

What's leaking? I have tons of oil leaks in my vehicle and don't worry about any of them. I simply top-up every 6000km, but Butch said it was fine for me, so yours might be in a spot that's dripping on the belt and will cause premature failure!?

[Miroslav Schinkenblatt]

Thats exactly his concern. Butch inspected the whole bus and this was his only issue. Seems like a lot of dough for a little seal leakage

[Miroslav Schinkenblatt]

Why can't my name be 'Butch'?

[fozzie]

I just had my timing cover seal replaced at CVI. It was $1200 and the leak was pretty bad. I put it off for probably a year with no other issues. It did shorten the life on my belts though, and I replaced them after like 70,000 k's, then did it so not to ruin the new belts. The oil leak was defiantly noticeable though, it would coat the back hatch with oil. Now just the leaky turbo left and it should be all good.
Matt

[Manitoba deli]

When it's leaking near the timing belt, it's a gamble. Most play it safe and get it fixed, as a ruined timing belt means a ruined engine. So ya just have to ask yourself "do ya feel lucky punk?" Well do ya? I gotta go watch some old Clint Eastwood movies now.
Jason

[yojimbo]

Seems like a lot of dough for a little seal leakage

Fixing the leak is a 15 minute job. It's getting to the leak thats probably costing that much, it sounds like it could be the crankshaft front oil seal, which means everything under the timing cover has to come off and then go back in the right place. Quite frankly, I wouldnt even bother without also replacing the water pump, timing belts, and tensioners, unless you know the history of them.

In which case it will cost even more. Or fix it yourself, if you arent experienced I would put about 2 full days aside to do it, maybe 3.

[Miroslav Schinkenblatt]

Im game, but yes quite inexperienced mechanically, so I dont think I would hazard doing it alone.

Since its a simple job, perhaps theres someone in lower mainland BC that would do it for less? Any suggestions welcome.

[Yokohama]

I would do it, but you will have to fly me up there.

You need to find a Delica or maybe someone from a DSM club to help you.

[Miroslav Schinkenblatt]

Butch quoted 1200 to replace the seal, instead Mardy at Amazing Auto did it today for 470, also changing all the other seals as well!
Basically, Mardy rules.

[Rising Sun Auto Import]

Butch quoted 1200 to replace the seal, instead Mardy at Amazing Auto did it today for 470, also changing all the other seals as well!

There must be huge difference in contents of sevice item quoted?

Steven

[CVI]

Hi there,

We quoted you 1100 for a complete Timing belt service. We only use genuine Mitsubishi original parts for the Timing belt, balancer belt, all oil seals, tensioners, thermostat and a GMB water pump and engine coolant. We find that using original parts can get you down to a minimum of 80,000kms to over 100,000kms trouble free with this service. As labor entails quite a bit of percentage for the costs, we did advise you to do this service for a job done right the first time. For $450, we could've done just the oil seals for you but we cannot guarantee for how long your timing belts and components will last. Lets hope for the best.

Thank you for bringing this up.

[yojimbo]

Fixing the leak is a 15 minute job. It's getting to the leak thats probably costing that much, it sounds like it could be the crankshaft front oil seal, which means everything under the timing cover has to come off and then go back in the right place. Quite frankly, I wouldnt even bother without also replacing the water pump, timing belts, and tensioners, unless you know the history of them.

I love it when a plan comes together.