Of course it couldn't have been a cheap problem

[geekchick]

Cracked radiator. They may be able to get the part today; if not, not sure what I'm going to do. Timing belt ought to've been replaced 30K miles ago too, but that's not happening today. Oh yeah, and the valve stem seals are definitely leaking. Cha-ching. [Edit: Valve cover gaskets, I misheard what was said. Much cheaper, and will be done with the timing belt.]

Happy Friday. :-P

Comments

[nminusone.livejournal.com]

I have no problem believing the valve cover gaskets are leaking. That would account for minor oil drippiness, and are a trivial repair once you're already doing t-belt. I still believe the valve stem seals are leaking, though. The other symptoms, apart from the dripping, match exactly, and leaky valve cover gaskets would not account for those symptoms.

On the plus side plenty of engines go 100k miles on leaky valve stem seals. I see them every day. It's just not a big deal, all things considered. The toughest part of it is passing emissions, but I don't forsee a problem there since there is no visible smoke. A tiny bit of oil won't raise HC enough to matter.

[geekchick]

The radiator, to answer the earlier question, was $285. Two hours of labor. Unless you're dying to futz with the timing belt, and I doubt you are, I'll have them order parts on Monday and get it done next week sometime.

I'm leaving now, since it's going to take me at least an hour and a half to get to Silver Spring when you factor in rush hour on the Beltway heading towards Georgia.