Woogie
Member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2013
- Messages
- 56
- Reaction score
- 15
- Points
- 8
- Location
- Boise, ID
- Vehicle Year
- 1995
- Make / Model
- Mazda
- Engine Size
- 2.3
- Transmission
- Manual
I recently got my 1995 2WD B2300 from my parents. They've had it for about two years, and bought it from a family friend. Not sure how long he had it, but he gave them some of the repair records and I do know the clutch was replaced three or four years back. The truck has been leaking oil for awhile, but they said the leak was pretty minor. It has 140,000 miles, but I know it wasn't driven very much while my parents had it.
The local dealer does $20 oil changes, so I took it in and mentioned the fact it is losing oil. They rotated the tires also, so I know they had it up on the lift. I asked them to give me an opinion on the leaks, and the written report said the oil pan was "leaking bad" and the clutch fluid was low. I didn't ask for details since I knew master/slave clutch cylinder leaks are common around this age/mileage and I figured the oil pan leak was an easy fix. I had the oil pan gasket replaced on a previous vehicle and it cost less than $200 including labor.
Upon looking it up, it seems this is actually a major nightmare job that requires lifting or pulling the engine. I live in an apartment and do not have the space, tools or knowledge to do it myself. I've taken my other car (a Nissan Versa) to this dealer several times, and they've never tried to cheat me but I've never done anything beyond regular maintenance and recall work with them either.
I definitely plan on getting a second opinion. If the diagnosis is confirmed, would it be better to do an engine swap if I can find one with fewer miles? Either way I've heard it the cost will probably run around $600 - $1,000. It runs fine otherwise. Doesn't burn oil or anything. If I keep the engine, what else should be done while it's out?
The local dealer does $20 oil changes, so I took it in and mentioned the fact it is losing oil. They rotated the tires also, so I know they had it up on the lift. I asked them to give me an opinion on the leaks, and the written report said the oil pan was "leaking bad" and the clutch fluid was low. I didn't ask for details since I knew master/slave clutch cylinder leaks are common around this age/mileage and I figured the oil pan leak was an easy fix. I had the oil pan gasket replaced on a previous vehicle and it cost less than $200 including labor.
Upon looking it up, it seems this is actually a major nightmare job that requires lifting or pulling the engine. I live in an apartment and do not have the space, tools or knowledge to do it myself. I've taken my other car (a Nissan Versa) to this dealer several times, and they've never tried to cheat me but I've never done anything beyond regular maintenance and recall work with them either.
I definitely plan on getting a second opinion. If the diagnosis is confirmed, would it be better to do an engine swap if I can find one with fewer miles? Either way I've heard it the cost will probably run around $600 - $1,000. It runs fine otherwise. Doesn't burn oil or anything. If I keep the engine, what else should be done while it's out?