[patmont]

Hey all,

I think it may be time to solve the mysterious oil leak that started 50k ago...but still only maybe. 2004 Safari RWD. It looks like it is coming from the timing cover and getting blown down all over the oil pan (in general, everything in that region is coated in oil). The leak is slow enough that the garage floor stays dry, but the wiring harness down there is soaked. I just checked, and the shaft seal is fine, so that leaves the gasket. Napa and the Zone both have notes online with the gasket that say to replace it with the oil pan gasket. Is this true? Or can I just pop off the timing cover and replace the gasket (and seal for good measure). How easy is that alone? If the oil pan needs to be dropped for some unreasonable reason, adding oil as needed is cheaper.

For fun, 50k ago being only 30k miles on the van, or roughly 27k after the second transmission was put in under warranty.

Thanks for any help.

 

[guyonearth]

On this vehicle you have to replace the timing cover as well as the gasket, it is a composite material, I believe. You can do it without pulling the pan, the service gasket takes care of that. Make sure you use RTV on the cover/pan joint.