| Author | Message | ||
     Jason Pyles (Jpyles911) New Member Username: Jpyles911 Post Number: 5 Registered: 06-2003 |
I just had the 60K service performed, and the dealer tells me I have oil leaks at the RMS and valve covers. Very small leaks, but leaks nonetheless. $1500 to fix, he says. Now, my truck has leaked a few drops of oil every now and again for awhile, it is just something I have lived with after reading posts on this board regarding oil leaks. But now (that I'm out of warranty, of course) the dealer seems to be very concerned that I get it repaired. My issue is this: If I fix it, what's the chance it will be fixed forever? If I don't, what's the chance the leak will stay small and "manageable" with routine checks of the oil level? Can leaks of this kind become a safety issue, e.g. a fire hazard or precursor to catastrophic failure? Any thoughts? Advice? Similar Experiences? Thanks, Jason | ||
| Sergei Rodionov (Uzbad) Member Username: Uzbad Post Number: 54 Registered: 08-2003 |
There are basically very little odds to fix it "for forever". If oil aint getting into fuel lines or into cooling lines, and its just dripping every now and then - i wouldnt worry about it. Just add something like Lucas oil stabilizer - it might be way cheaper cure(as in 100 times  ). And will help engine to feel actually better. It seems to help my leaks (knock knock on the wood) | ||
| Nathan Hindman (Nathanh) Member Username: Nathanh Post Number: 92 Registered: 07-2002 |
Jason, If it turns into to a major leak than you should have the RMS repaired but for the time being I'd just let it leak. Think of it as an active rust inhibitor. :-) Just make sure that you check your fluids a bit more regularly. Keep 'em topped off and you shouldn't have any problems. Thanks, Nathan Hindman http://www.pangaea-expeditions.com | ||
| Jason Pyles (Jpyles911) New Member Username: Jpyles911 Post Number: 6 Registered: 06-2003 |
thanks all. The Lucas Oil Stabilizer spec sheet reads like an engine wonder drug. Does it really do all that it says? Would 1 quart per oil change (~20%) do the trick? | ||
| Bill Bettridge (Billb) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Billb Post Number: 1081 Registered: 02-2002 |
Never bother replacing rear main seal - it will just leak again! Bill | ||
| jay michaels (Disco99ii) New Member Username: Disco99ii Post Number: 4 Registered: 07-2003 |
hey Jason, My dealer tried to bang me for $1500 for the same small leaks-these guys will take you for whatever they can- I asked the service manager If my warranty would have called a $1500 repair for such a small leak-he said NO- It's truly amazing how annoyed they get with leaks once the car comes off warranty- The solution is to check all your fluid levels religiously. good luck | ||
| p (Pfb) Member Username: Pfb Post Number: 61 Registered: 08-2003 |
Most Disco's stop leaking when the oil runs completely dry... | ||
| Rick Clarke (Tugcap) New Member Username: Tugcap Post Number: 27 Registered: 02-2002 |
The truth is the dealer probably doesnt know, and 4 out of 5 owners buy the crap that they ($ales or $ervice) feed them. It goes down easier with the flowers. Push them hard, and do your homework, or take it to someone who knows what they're doing. Sadly, few at the dealerships fall into this category. They ARE very nattily attired though, and that counts for something. | ||
| Devin Walton (Devin_walton) New Member Username: Devin_walton Post Number: 23 Registered: 03-2003 |
I purchased my DII used with about 30K on it and took it in immediately to have the rear main seal repaired. Now, at 45K and nearly out of warranty I noticed a small leak that they claimed they couldn't find. I had them put it up on the rack and showed them where things were "wet" and they agreed to replace it again. The nice thing is that they ended up finding a few other things while tearing into it and I have more trust in the actual mechanic that did the work. Ultimately, if you had brought it to their attention before the warranty expired then I would push him t o eat at least some of the cost of the repair. If he won't, then, like the others who've posted, I wouldn't treat it as some kind of emergency repair. | ||
| Geoff 93 RRC (Geoff) Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 99 Registered: 11-2002 |
Valve cover leaks and intake manifold leaks can run down the back of the motor and look like rear main seal. You might want to get the valve covers done first (should be fairly inexpensive) and look for results. Also fairly common are leaks around where the rear main cap fits into the block, not necessarily the main seal itself. There are improved "seal packing" which fits into the sides of the rear main cap where it meets the rear block wall. The rear main can also leak at the 2 points on either side of the bearing cap where it seats into the block. Put RTV there. In my case I just replaced the seal packing (doesn't require the engine or transmission to be moved for access), added the RTV, and the drips ended. I think all this true for the 4.0 block too. I doubt the rear main seal itself wore out in 60K miles. | ||
| RayDunn (Raydunn) New Member Username: Raydunn Post Number: 14 Registered: 02-2003 |
Take the advice from someone who spent the money (close to $800) to have oil leaks fixed and DO NOT HAVE THEM FIXED! They will leak again before you have gotten your money's worth; mine leaked again after about six months. I read on a post somewhere that "the British didn't design vehicles to keep oil in or water out", and I believe it. In my opinion, the dealership has good mechanics, but they're there to make as much money as possible (dealership, not mechannics), trust the people on d-web long before a service mgr. | ||
| Bill Howell (Billh13) Member Username: Billh13 Post Number: 174 Registered: 03-2003 |
I agree with p. If your disco ain't leaking you ain't got no oil. Fact of life, Rovers leak. If you don't want to deal with leaks, buy a Land Cruiser. A quart every 2000 miles is normal. | ||
| Bazzle (Bazzle) New Member Username: Bazzle Post Number: 14 Registered: 09-2003 |
It is a good idea to clean and keep clean the engine and trans etc. I use those $2 spray tins of degreaser. Spray on, hose off. Its amazing how a large oil leak becomes minor when all is clean and kept clean. bazzle | ||
| justin leigh cooper (Jcilrs) New Member Username: Jcilrs Post Number: 1 Registered: 09-2003 |
As the british say in some of the early Massey-Ferguson tractor and Landrover series manuals; "Any minor oil leaks are deemed a 'controlled sweat', and should be considered normal." My Range rover and most of my customers Land/Range rovers leak in varying degrees, I've just learnt to put on a raincoat when I start work... | ||
| OLIVER CLOTHSOFF (Everythingleaks) Senior Member Username: Everythingleaks Post Number: 315 Registered: 10-2002 |
While not always trying to push a customer to repair the oil leaks we will always inform them of the leak. I know our dealership has had to clean a few driveways of oil spots due to vehicles leaking oil. Some these people in $70k status symbols also own some pretty expensive driveways. It is also a CYA because during the service the tech is paid to inspect the vehicle and report any defects noticed. If something happened due to a vehicle defect that was obvious at the time of service people will try to sue the dealership. While i believe some dealers push the issue it may be them just letting you know that it is occuring | ||
| OLIVER CLOTHSOFF (Everythingleaks) Senior Member Username: Everythingleaks Post Number: 316 Registered: 10-2002 |
P.s. - I think my username speaks for itself | ||
| peter ziesmann (Peterz) New Member Username: Peterz Post Number: 12 Registered: 03-2003 |
As my old triumph mechanic used to say "To the British, the containment of fluids is an inexact science" didn't stop my old tr6 from going like a whipped ape though... oil spots also provide a handy, consistent positioning guide in my garage.. | ||
| Geoff 93 RRC (Geoff) Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 108 Registered: 11-2002 |
Check that all breathers are clear. In my experience if they get even a little plugged the crankcase pressure can make a lot of things leak. It can make the difference between just a wet area or a drip. I don't have any drips that I can see anymore, although I am using some oil somewhere - quart every 2.5 - 3K miles (116K on motor). |
