QuestionOIL LEAK AND REMEDY QUESTION
I have a 6 cyl 1992 Mitsubishi Diamonte SOHC with 135,000 miles. Runs great and well maintained - trans fluid changed every 40k miles, oil and filter changes every 3-4k miles, timing belt, tune ups, hoses, belts, new tires, front end and rear suspension parts including struts, tie rod ends, etc.
It has been leaking drops of oil on garage floor. the street or where ever I stop in a few places at front area of car. Now after doing the repairs described below, I have to add up to a half to three quarters quart about every 200 to 500 miles. I use Valvoline or similar 10w30. It was recommended by an auto repair chain in St. Louis MO that I replace both valve cover gaskets which I had them do at cost of around $450. Still leaked so they said it was the circular seals (4 of them) one each at both ends of each of the two valve covers - they replaced all for another $450 or so.
Seems to leak worse and they checked saying that no leaks are evident from what they did.
Then they said it might be the head gaskets or something else and that it "made no sense to start chasing down leaks". I cannot argue whether the leaks are still from what they did, and don't want to spend another $900 or more they said it would cost to replace the head gaskets and possible other seals.
Is there any product that actually may work to stop leaks without doing potential harm to the engine? Are there other ways to check for leaks that may work - some one said it may be the oil pressure sending unit that is leaking but the trail of oil seems evident more from the top area of the engine. As I said, the car runs real well getting 19 to 23 mpg in the city and 23 to 26 on the highway.
Thanks, Jack
AnswerJack: It might come down that you might have to learn to live with the leaking of drops of oil. Keep checking the oil to make sure it does not loose a lot. You could have a pressure test on the engine to see if the head gaskets are leaking. It is not a costly test and could show if that is where the oil is coming from there. But then really if the heads were leaking you would be getting white smoke due to the water mixing with the oil and so I don't think you have a problem there. Sometimes these older Mitsubishi like to mark spots where they sit. Just to say, Hey a Mitsubishi was here! You take wonderful care of this car, and so I don't think I would spend a lot more money into these spots. You could check to see where the oil filter fits onto the engine that maybe it does not fitting tight like it should.Sometimes where you think the oil is leaking from is not the spot at all, because when driving the car the oil gets blowed up higher and then drips down. It could be a seal someplace leaking too. But not much. Yes you could try one of those stop leak products, I would go into the store, read all the bottles and see which one jumps out at you. I use STP some. But remember just use one bottle, had a car in the shop the other day; that the guy thought if one bottle would help his car, two would do wonders. But two well the second bottle was to much and really gummed up the engine. So if the bottle says one, put in just one. Try it and see what happens. But it could be that the drops of oil are just going to be the Mitsubishi marking its spot. Wish I could help you more. God bless: Linda
