Answer:   It sounds like you have and oil leak, please inspect you car for oil underneath. Check were you park your car that can tell you had bad the leak is.

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Question: 2002 Saturn SL2 mileage: 49,000. My friend's Saturn apparently has an oil leak, so before and after every long car trip she refills the oil. As I was driving home today, the RPM meter started bouncing up and down and the car made knocking motions after switching gears. When the "service engine soon" light came on, I stopped the car and found the oil very low, so I refilled that. Twenty minutes later, the car started fine. What does fixing this entail?

Answer: First, trouble shoot to locate oil leak source. Most of the time it is a valve cover gasket or a oil pan gasket. Repair as needed recheck system.

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Question: 2001 Dodge Neon mileage: 66,000. I read through the questions you have answered in the past and I found a situation much like mine. The oil leak happened around 40,000 miles. Small oil leak that was resting on top of the transmission, then onto the ground. I went to 3 places and they told me they think it's either the head gasket or the main seal. I have no traces of oil in my coolant system, and one shop replaced an O-ring off of my oil sensor thinking it might be that, but to no avail. Where do you think the leak might be coming from? And just how many other '99 Neon owners are having oil leak problems with limited miles? I know I shouldn't have been driving my car with the leak present at all. But with limited money (see car in question) I couldn't afford to have it taken care of. And my warranty was less then adequate!

Answer: There is a very good chance your problem is the head gasket set. Neon has had problems with head gaskets. Replace as needed to repair problem.

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Question: 2004 Ford Escape mileage: 43,000. The engine's crankcase is leaking, I see oil spots on the ground were I park. So I checked the valve cover and it was dry. The oil pan looks wet with oil. Can I save much money doing repairs myself? The garage in town wants $340.00

Answer: Oil pan gaskets can fail, Remove oil pan to replace gasket. Reassemble to recheck system. The oil pan gasket costs about $24.50 on eAutoPartStore.com

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Answer:  Yes, the shield bolt is all the way around the bell housing on the other side hidden.

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Question:  2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse mileage: 42,000. I just replaced my engine 6 months ago and the valve cover gasket is leaking.  I have had that problem before with a different engine and it was never resolved after 3 replacements at a reputable, national chain store that guaranteed their work.  Are there any type of valve cover problems specifically with Eclipses that I am unaware of (parts)?   Or is this a problem because of improper installation (service)?

Answer:  Too much internal engine pressure in the crankcase may be causing your valve cover gasket failures.  Check the crankcase breathers and PCV valve to be sure they are functioning properly.

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Question:  2003 Nissan Murano mileage: 42,000. The last time I had the oil changed I mentioned that there was something leaking on the garage floor.  The service manager told me they would put on a new valve cover  and that would fix it.  This oil change I still had the leak and this time they told me it was an oil pan leaking and the estimate would be around $326.00 to fix it.  How vital is this?  I'm planning on keeping the car another year or two.  I don't want it to cause damage to anything else.

Answer:  Anytime your car is leaking it is not good, Permanent engine damage can occur when oil levels drop. Replace the oil pan gasket as soon as possible.

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Question:  2005 Mercedes Benz S430 mileage: 24,500.  My engine is leaking oil. There is no puddle of oil under my car and it makes a slight engine knock noise; therefore, it must be burning up somewhere.  I have had the oil pan gasket replaced by a reputable mechanic who thought that was the problem.  But, I have only driven 1200 miles and have had to put 2 more quarts in already.  In 2500 miles, I've had to add 4 quarts of oil.?

Answer:  You may have internal engine problems. Probably broken piston ring or a broken piston. You will need to remove the oil pan to inspect for problems. Replace worn parts with new to reassemble and recheck system.

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Question:   2006 Toyota Yaris mileage: 13,000.  Hi, Bob and Ken.  My Toyota is leaking oil.  It always showed a little on my garage floor, but now it is more noticeable.  Toyota said oil leaking from valve cover gasket and would cost $295.00 labor/parts.  A second opinion at a station said if it were his car, he would not do anything.  That 75% of cars leak oil.  His fee estimated about $50.00 dollars.  Can you help me?  I am totally confused.

Answer:   Check the rest of the engine's gaskets to see if any of them are also leaking.  If there are other leaks discovered, it would be less expensive to repair these rather than the more expensive oil pan gasket and the result would be to slow down oil leakage.

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Question:  2000 Ford Ranger mileage: 74,700.  Do you have to remove the oil pan to enable you to change the oil drive pump. I am having a serious oil leak from the oil pan of the engine and I’m not sure how to change it?

Answer:  Drain oil. remove oil pan replace oil pan gasket with new, reassemble to refill, recheck system.