Keeping a car that leaks oil?

Question

Murphy's law says that just two months after I paid off my car that I would end up with oil leaks that my mechanic says will cost around $900 to completely fix. How bad is it to just keep driving it (and checking the oil)? And how long do you think I can keep driving it? My husband thinks I should just sell it and get a new one, but I so don't want another car payment right now.

Answer 1

IT SOUNDS THAT YOU COULD HAVE MORE THAN ONE THING LEAKING , GET ANOTHER SHOP TO LOK AT IT AND ASK IF YOU CAN JUST HAVE THE MORE INPORTENT THING FIXED TO SLOW IT DOWN. AS LONG AS ITS NOT REAL BAD YOU CAN DRIVE IT FOR SOME TIME . ALSO ASK ABOUT THE SAFETY PART OF YOUR LEAKS. IS IT GETTING ON ANYTHING LIKE THE EXHAUST. IF YOU ARE USING MORE THEN 2 QTS BETWEEN OIL CHANGES THAT IS A LOT. GOOD LUCK

Answer 2

First, like some said $900 is like 2-3 car payments. Second, just because one garage said that it would cost $900 to fix an oil leak doesn't mean that the next will tell you the same. Some mechanics have been known to tell you an outrageous amount to fix an existant leak because they don't like fooling with them and know that you will either let it go or trade it for another car. Some mechanics will tell you that it is a really bad leak and a hard job, and then take you to the cleaners. It would be nice to know what was supposed to be leaking or if it was a combination of things leaking. About the costliest oil leak repair, time wise is a leaking rear main seal and that shouldn't cost that much. My advice take it someplace else and ask them to just look it over for anything they think it might need in the near future. Compare their findings with the first garage and then ask people you know if they have used the garages before and what they thought of the service they received. Until the repair though keep an eye on your oil. One other thing, I hate to say but garages do take advantage of women, have your husband take it and see if they give him the same findings. Good luck to you.

Answer 3

Sorry to hear that... Sounds like your husband may be right... just this once... LOL

If it's leaking more than just a drop here and there you won't be able to keep it full. it will be a waste of money on oil, a pain to keep an eye on and bad for the environment.

Sometimes oil leaks are caused by a bad piston or valve. The lost compression ends up in the crankcase and forces out oil through any weak gasket. Hard to diagnose without a full compression test that mechanics rarely bother to do these days. I've seen people pay for new gaskets and the problem quickly reoccurs. Oil leaking from more than one place can be an indicator of this. Could be a sign of major problems to come.

You didn't say how old the car was or how many miles on it. Makes all the "keep it" or "sell it" advice pretty funny... If you don't think it's worth putting $900.00 into... it probably isn't. If you decide to fix it after all... Make sure you get a compression test done to make sure your repair money isn't wasted.

Answer 4

First thing is first ... Where is the oil leak coming from?
On my car I have a oil leak coming from the main seal which is located beneath the Valve Cover Gasket.

You also might want to continue shopping around auto repair shops to see who can give you the best deal on a repair, or if you happen to know a good reliable mechanic just go to them.

Answer 5

Ok first were do you think it might be coming from?.Second if its not bad and does not pose a fire hazzard then you might want to keep a eye on the oil level and drive it.If you can go several weeks without adding oil then its probley ok .no oil leak is ok but ifs its not running out and is just a small drip then you might shop the repair around.you may find out that its not that bad after all.What kind of car is it and how many miles on it?

Answer 6

So you wanna know how long without repairing it well if you check the oil i'd say a while, but $900.00 for what did your tech tell you or he just shot out a price ask him what he's doing it might be worth not having a new car payment on your back. it also depends on how big the leak is and what its leaking if its tranny fluid or if its motor oil i'd suggest you investigate more and try getting other prices it might be worth the money. good luck

Answer 7

What is done is done,but in the future it is wise to check the car BEFORE the purchase.
No point on keeping it without fixing the leak because it will be worse,so if the 900$ will make the car right for you, I would go for it.

Answer 8

Conservetivly a new car will be 15 to 19K.Plus you will be back to full coverage ins. CHA-CHING!!The car sounds tried and true to me. Keep it full of oil 'till you can get it fixed.Keep up on the p.m.(preventive maintainence) and you can keep driving it for years. I've got a 93 S10 pickup with over 230'000 miles on it.It works hard,and the thing is starting to look ugly but it runs like a top.Best of all,I'm not putting out $286 a month payments and the ins. is less than $400 per year.

Answer 9

Honey, $900.00 is not a lot to spend to fix certain oil leaks, i.e; rear main seal, etc. The cheapest car you can drive is the one you already own. $900.00 is appx TWO new car payments -- tack on an extra 46 payments to that, plus new car sales tax, plus higher insurance rates --- well, I hope you get the idea. Hubby just wants a new car. Tell him I said he can't have one until he saves up and pays cash for it!

Answer 10

I think your husband is right sell it and get a new one. It is better to have another car payment then having to throw $900 into that peace. Trust me once you start you never stop throwing money into the thing. The car in the end will cost you more than what a new car would cost you on monthly car payments. I have had a lot of expirence with this kinda of stuff. Listen to your husband he sounds like a smart man.