new timing belt leaking oil

padma

Alright lads, this is the predicament, A 99 Citroen xsara 1.4, new timing belt and kit done at 108000 miles in January this year. Now at 117000 miles and took it to a mechanic the other day. Seems like the timing belt is leaking oil. You could see this as the top cover was taken off. Does it need a whole new timing belt? Should I take it back to the original mechanic who changed the timing belt and get it redone? Or is it best to walk away from him and go to the new mechanic who seems more trustworthy and get a proper job done on it?

What would you do? Any advice offered greatly appreciated.

OldmanMondeo

The timing belt would have any oily part in it. The leak is probably above the belt and should be looked at there. If the belt is covered in oil, you may need to have the belt only replaced.

cantdecide

Leaky timing belt

Sounds like you might be in trouble. I don't think it's related to the fact the timing belt was done unless he damaged something he shouldn't have been at in the first place which I would doubt.

Do you not mean water/ coolant leak?

padma

It's hard to explain as I'm not a mechanic but, You can see the oil coming around the belt. The top part of it. Its as if it's coming through from where the belt is connected so I'd say it wasn't sealed by the rubber properly where the belt is connected to the piece thingy. Feck this is hard to explain. He reckons (new mechanic) that the new belt is goosed and needs to be replaced asap.

homer90

I reckon its a gasket gone/split.

padma

homer90 wrote: »

I reckon its a gasket gone/split.

Sounds like trouble

cantdecide

+1

Sounds like an unrelated gasket prob that means that he TB has to be done again aswell as the gasket. It's a pain in the rocks but doesn't sound like it's anyone's fault.

padma

cantdecide wrote: »

+1

Sounds like an unrelated gasket prob that means that he TB has to be done again aswell as the gasket. It's a pain in the rocks but doesn't sound like it's anyone's fault.

Makes me wonder if it's worth my while to fix it or just scrap it and get a new car..

homer90

As in a valve cover gasket - not too much to replace.

padma

Thanks for the advice lads

cantdecide

padma wrote: »

Makes me wonder if it's worth my while to fix it or just scrap it and get a new car..

In my opinion, people tend to be too harsh in their reckoning of what's worth fixing and what's only worth scrapping. The attitiude I take is that it's my car and I want it right. It is an older french car and it will require maintenance/ repairs and better the devil you know. Unless you were in a position to really come up in years, I'd fix it and not think any more about it.

In reality, it's an oil leak that'll probably be fixed easily. It's a shame it took teh new TB with it.

padma

cantdecide wrote: »

In my opinion, people tend to be too harsh in their reckoning of what's worth fixing and what's only worth scrapping. The attitiude I take is that it's my car and I want it right. It is an older french car and it will require maintenance/ repairs and better the devil you know. Unless you were in a position to really come up in years, I'd fix it and not think any more about it.

In reality, it's an oil leak that'll probably be fixed easily. It's a shame it took teh new TB with it.

Never a truer word spoken, I can't come up in years. I need the car for work. I love it. Has all the electrics, great steering and breaks. The c.v joints went in it and theres an awful clacking and knocking coming from it. As the c.v joints are complete, apparently the wheel won't come off while driving and it is no reason to fail the N.C.T next february (as the mechanic says)

He reckons either replace with new c.v joints which we rang munster parts and they come in at 100 euro each, get replacemnts from a scrap yard, they have to be perfect, or just leave them be and get on with the noise.

So in reality, pass the N.C.T and drive it til end of life or late next year upgrade.

AzureAuto

Id prob find a new mechanic. True enough the wheel wont come off, but how about the cv joint exploding into fragments of ball bearings on the motorway, you losing all drive and control!
They're cheap enough to replace, Id recommend you have it done. If your new man doesnt fancy it, pm me and I'll have it sorted for you.
As regards the oil leak, ive seen many leaking form the head gasket, and also from the camshaft oil seal into the timing belt case. The latter isnt too much of a hassle to sort, probably want to replace the belt if its been bathing in hot oil for a while, but wouldnt cost you much.

2 stroke

Yes, get a new mechanic.

padma

AzureAuto wrote: »

Id prob find a new mechanic. True enough the wheel wont come off, but how about the cv joint exploding into fragments of ball bearings on the motorway, you losing all drive and control!
They're cheap enough to replace, Id recommend you have it done. If your new man doesnt fancy it, pm me and I'll have it sorted for you.
As regards the oil leak, ive seen many leaking form the head gasket, and also from the camshaft oil seal into the timing belt case. The latter isnt too much of a hassle to sort, probably want to replace the belt if its been bathing in hot oil for a while, but wouldnt cost you much.

It is from the camshaft oil seal into the timing belt case that its leaking. In regards to the c.v joints we'll see if he can get his hands on 2nd hand c.v joints. He reckons 50 quid for the two, tops, he'd pay. If he can't I'll give yourself a shout within the next week or so. Where are you based?

cantdecide

Don't bother with second hand CV joints. They're almost a consumable in some cars and new ones aren't unaffordable.

Gary ITR

Second hand CV joints are a complete false economy, €200 for new parts isn't the worst you could be paying