Oil Leak/Light Seepage

**theeditor** · 11-04-2012

Greetings -- I recently purchased a one-owner, 1997 4 door Grand Prix in California with 153,000 miles on it for 2Gs. I replaced the radiator, battery, starter, and power window motor. It passed smog (hurray!) but my mechanic said I had a slight oil seepage and to keep an eye on it. I recently got an oil change and added a quarter of additive that is supposed to lubricate the gaskets (I think). I've been checking the oil every other day, and while I still have a "full" dipstick, I am noticing oil drips.

Since I am not very mechanically inclined, in order to get this fixed, my mechanic quoted me a price of about $350. I am currently living in Las Vegas.
Two questions: 1) What am I looking at in repair costs? and 2) can anyone recommend a mechanic in the Las Vegas area?

On another note, my "low coolant" light stays on even though the coolant is fine and the car shows no sign of overheating. I guess it's a sensor that needs to be reset; anyone know how that can be done?

Thanks!

P.S. I also need to replace the windshield wiper pump.

Other than these "small" things, the car runs great!

**dsmuts** · 11-04-2012

Your lim gasket is probably leaking as well as your valve cover gaskets. Your coolant sensor in the radiator probably has gunk on it and needs either cleaned or replaced.

**theeditor** · 11-04-2012

Thanks! In your opinion is the oil seepage/leak something I should keep monitoring or should I get it fixed ASAP (money is a little tight right now, so $350 would be a major expense). Sounds like the coolant sensor is not something I'm going to worry about now.

**dsmuts** · 11-04-2012

You can unplug the low coolant sensor if it bugs you. If it isn't leaking very bad I'd let it go for a while.

**theeditor** · 11-13-2012

I just received an email estimate from a mechanic in Las Vegas who was recommended on YELP: $900! parts and labor, but he hasn't seen the car. Let's say he comes down to $600! GULP! My mechanic in Ventura, CA, said it would be about $350. Any ideas who is closer to replacing the gaskets?

**Scottydoggs** · 11-13-2012

what gaskets are they changing? sight unseen?

go get a real estimate for the leak.

valve cover gaskets are about 40

some times the oil pan leaks, they would rape you on the labor, but a lot of the time you think its the oil pan and its the valve covers leaking.

oil pressure sensors leak too, they cost about 12 bucks.

could be any of these things. these are rough prices for you to buy the part, your mechanic will add 20 % to that price, and then add labor.

**theeditor** · 11-13-2012

Thanks!

**BillBoost37** · 11-14-2012

Tell us which gaskets they plan to replace. Because even if they swap out an oil pan gasket, you might still have seepage if it's the rear engine cover gasket (common). And to do the rear engine cover gasket....yeah..you have to pull the engine or trans.

**1ATony** · 11-14-2012

Welcome to the site

**theeditor** · 11-14-2012

Ouch! That repair -- coupled with the others I have had to do -- would cost more than I bought the car for. Curiously, I am not seeing any oil leakage when I park the car on a level road, but when I park it in my driveway, which is on an incline, there are noticeable drips. d