tentacle

When I went to Walmart to change oil last week, I was told the car has a very bad leaking. Then I went to a mechanical shop, they checked the car and found 3 places that is leaking.

oil pan leaking
valve covers leaking
rear main seal leaking

They can fix the first two and asked for >$500. They can not fixed the third one. They recommended me another place that may be able to fix it. I knew little about how to fix a car. Can someone tell me if these problems are serious? Is it possible if I fix them myself?
Thanks.

tbird100636

The valve covers, yes. Very easy to do, upper intake just has to come off.
The oil pan, maybe. The hardest part is unbolting the catalytic converter assy. The bolts will be rusted and could break off.
The rear main seal, I'd say no because the transmission has to come out to do it. Unless it looses allot of oil after doing the oil pan and the valve covers I'd say just leave it until it gets worse.
3.0L Vulcan???

__________________
Master ASE Certified L1 Chrysler Technician- still a Ford fan at heart.
1964 Thunderbird Hardtop- Chantily Beige- 390 FE 4V V8-Uncle's Car
1966 Thunderbird Convertible- Red- 390 FE 4V V8- Uncle's other car- waiting for paint and body work!!!
1967 Mustang Convertible- Blue- 289 V8- helping a friend re-assemble this classic

dac122

I have a '97 3.0L vulcan that last year developed an oil leak. First I thought it was the oil pan and had that replaced for $400. The shop couldn't see it was the rear main at the time. I had the rear main replaced and it was about $1100 due to removing the tranny and virtually removing the engine. I suspect both were leaking anyway. I still have a slight valve cover leak but very minimal.

I'd say, if they can pin down which one it is, or both, you can make a more informed decision about whether its worth it to you.

Had I known I was in for these repairs plus some others, I probably would have dumped the car.

Since nothing has gone wrong since September (fingers crossed) I feel better about the decision. At least it conforms to my philosophy that repairs like this are cyclical.

tentacle

Thank you guys for replies.

I am hesitating to fix it or not. Like dac122 said, it may not worth to do so. They told me those three problems but I forgot to ask how bad they are leaking. I may ask them about this to make a better decision.