Oil Leak: fix or just live with?

[attym]

My 96 legacy has what seems to be a small oil leak (a few drops on the driveway after a night of sitting) and the slight smell of burning oil when i get out after a drive, never during the drive. I haven't really seen where its coming from, but it looked at first glance that it was coming from the right side of the engine, perhaps underneath... Should i gunk and steam it? (I always get nervous I'm going to presure wash the wrong thing) Should I just keep and eye on it. After two days it almost seems the oil went up (it was under teh line now its over the line).

 

What viscosity is best to use? 5w30? 10w30, 10w40?

 

Thanks for all of these questions being answered.

[Adnan]

Hi,

 

That engine has known leaks, starting with the crank front seal, valve cover gaskets and cam seals. You don't need to gunk/wash the engine to deal with those. Should you worry about them? That depends on how particular you are about leak-free cars. The only concern would be oil possibly finding its way onto the timing belt and weakening it.

 

Oil choice depends on where you are. In the SF Bay Area, I used 10W-40 year-round. Check the owner's manual for that information.

 

Regards,

Adnan

[gbhrps]

attym,

 

If the oil leak is onto the timing belt or front half axle shaft boots, then you need to do something about it, as the oil will destroy them. Anywhere else is just a nuisance, and only you can decide if it drives you crazy enough to spend the money to fix it. Be aware that the leak fix could run to several hundreds of dollars. My 300ZX has had a small leak out the back seal of the crankshaft for 10 years. It leaves a silver dollar sized oil spot on the garage floor every month or so, not enough to even have to top up the oil between oil changes. To fix it is a $40 seal, and the labour to drop the exhaust system, pull the prop shaft, drop the tranny and the clutch to get at it, then reverse the procedure. To me it isn't worth fixing, considering that it could cost $300 dollars or more. I'll live with the leak.

[Setright]

Try running some Mobil1 "Hi Mileage" oil, it stop some minor leaks on my engine, could work for you too.