one of the guys I talk to frequently about his 1968 4 speed corvette, which I helped him build a 383 sbc engine for about 12 years ago, called me, and after discussing his progress modifying it, and his problems, I discovered he had a rather persistent oil leak dripping from some place under his corvette , staining his drive way.
while he had other work on the car being done recently, at a dealer ship, (an oil change and head lights replaced....hes no mechanic, but he really likes cars) he inquired about the cost of tracking down the oil leak, and was assured his rear main seal needed replacing, well they quoted in excess of $800 -$900 depending on the time and materials.....not having that much free cash he drove over to ask me for an estimate on the work, after talking to the dealership service order writer a few days before..
The first thing I did was put it up on a lift and spray off all the old oil film with 3 cans of brake cleaner, to actually locate the source of the oil leak, then we started the engine and let it idle .. we soon found the source of the oil leak was an improperly installed valve cover gasket,not the rear main seal that was quoted. so for $8 in spray cleaner and $30, in gaskets and about 45 minutes time the whole problem was solved.
I made him replace the 3 spray cans of brake cleaner, we used and made him buy lunch,(which cost him less than $18 at DENNY's, for both of us.) which I thought was reasonable for the time and effort, as I had him help with the minor repair , and run to the local auto parts for the parts run.
so I figure he saved a good bit on the repair work.
BTW using load spreader clip tabs between the valve cover hold down bolts and the valve cover helps prevent leaks, bent or cracked valve covers
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mor-68516/overview/
while he had other work on the car being done recently, at a dealer ship, (an oil change and head lights replaced....hes no mechanic, but he really likes cars) he inquired about the cost of tracking down the oil leak, and was assured his rear main seal needed replacing, well they quoted in excess of $800 -$900 depending on the time and materials.....not having that much free cash he drove over to ask me for an estimate on the work, after talking to the dealership service order writer a few days before..
The first thing I did was put it up on a lift and spray off all the old oil film with 3 cans of brake cleaner, to actually locate the source of the oil leak, then we started the engine and let it idle .. we soon found the source of the oil leak was an improperly installed valve cover gasket,not the rear main seal that was quoted. so for $8 in spray cleaner and $30, in gaskets and about 45 minutes time the whole problem was solved.
I made him replace the 3 spray cans of brake cleaner, we used and made him buy lunch,(which cost him less than $18 at DENNY's, for both of us.) which I thought was reasonable for the time and effort, as I had him help with the minor repair , and run to the local auto parts for the parts run.
so I figure he saved a good bit on the repair work.
BTW using load spreader clip tabs between the valve cover hold down bolts and the valve cover helps prevent leaks, bent or cracked valve covers
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mor-68516/overview/
