Timing cover gasket

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Author Message   andy coleman (Andy0826) New Member Username: Andy0826 Post Number: 20 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Friday, January 02, 2004 - 10:18 pm:    I was about to replace my drive belt, went snooping around underside and saw a leaking timing cover gasket. Is this serious? It hardly leaks at all. Can I let this ride and consider it "character" instead of replacing it? If I should replace it, how bad is that? I guess it means that I have to remove the viscous fan which I was going to avoid when changing the drive belt. Thanks for the input.   Dave Thomas (Dthomas) New Member Username: Dthomas Post Number: 24 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Friday, January 02, 2004 - 10:46 pm:    If its small, just keep an eye on it and dont worry. Mine has had a similar leak for about 160K miles ;-)   Bazzle (Bazzle) Member Username: Bazzle Post Number: 74 Registered: 09-2003 Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 02:56 am:    Spray on some degreaser, hose off and keep an eye on it. Dont fix it yet. Bazzle   Wei Quek (Apohis) New Member Username: Apohis Post Number: 29 Registered: 04-2003 Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 04:50 am:    Depending on the size of the leak, you should seriously consider replacing it. I had this gasket disintegrate on me during a recent highway trip when it was -15 degree C out. Lost most of the coolant but fortunately didn't overheat and blow the head gasket. I suspect the cold winter air may have helped me in this situation.   andy coleman (Andy0826) New Member Username: Andy0826 Post Number: 21 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 01:00 pm:    So I have two for leaving it and one for changing. I have sprayed degreaser on it before to watch the leak, and it seems to be very mild, but I really do not want the gasket to blow (although I really enjoy working on cars!)Anyone else want to put their two cents in for me? Thanks.   Wes (Wes) Member Username: Wes Post Number: 222 Registered: 02-2002 Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 01:23 pm:    Why leave it? If you have the time and skills to replace, why not? It may or may not bite you in the ass later on...I say fix it.   Wei Quek (Apohis) New Member Username: Apohis Post Number: 30 Registered: 04-2003 Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 02:45 pm:    I concur with Wes. Why risk a possible blown head gasket? When mine blew, I was 80KM away from civilization and limped all the way to the nearest LR dealership. Cost me 450bucks to fix and I was late for a major client meeting. Could have been much worse. Andy, when the LR mechanic showed me the old gasket, it had major rot on the inside. It was a ticking time bomb. Cheers!   Brian (Bthaxton) Member Username: Bthaxton Post Number: 57 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 03:29 pm:    Fix it. I like the peace of mind.