the guy at firestone says my oil pan gasket, i think, needs replacement, and possibly the oil pan. it's been leakin oil and just ruined an alternator. about how much does teh gasket and pan cost? all comments are welcome

oh and what does the "Rec" stand for on the air control?

 

I'm surprised to see an oil pan gasket leak unless the car bottomed out on something. There's a glue that is used when you install the pan gasket. It's not the easiest to remove the pan from the car. You're supposed to use a special tool that allows you to cut through the gasket and hammer it around thae pan. Why does he say you need a new oil pan? Did he overtighten the drain plug and strip the threads out on the pan? There may be a leak above the gasket which is causing this guy to think that you need a new pan and gasket. I don't think it's really the pan gasket.

 

About $15 for the front and rear seals (after '87 they started making them in 2 piece strips, instead of a 1-piece gasket). Hopefully you won't need an oil pan, because it'll cost you a pretty penny, unless you can find one at a junk yard.

It recirculates the air inside the car when the button is on. When its off, outside air will enter the car. It's not recommended to keep the Recirc on because it may get stuffy inside the car, could cause fogging on the windows and could create a musty odor in the car. It's basically only used if you're in a dusty area (i.e. dirt road) or there's a bad odor (i.e., skunk) outside the car.

 

I've stopped many a oil pan and valve cover leaks just by re-tightening the bolts a little. You might try that first. I have a hard time believing that an oil pan leak killed an alternator. That would have to be a lot of oil.

Is there oil dripping on the ground? Where at?

 

hehe that's how my alternator died.
oil leak + alternator=dead car

 

it took the leak about a month or more to kill the altenartor. a guy told me that it wasn't a leak to worry about that it was just an age thing (1990 model). but now i know it's definently a prob. i'll try that tightening thing definently.

 

Please make sure it's not a cam seal leak. That's a common problem with the Z32's ... which causes oil to leak onto the alternator and fry it.

 

where exactly does this cam seakl leak you speak of leak from. i'm not sure, but i think i did notice a leak from a tube on top of the engine. but it was on the right side and the alternator is on the low right side. curse this car with its attractive beauty and its beastly problems.

 

The camshaft oil seals should have been replaced during your last 60K maintenance service. If you're about due for another 60K service, then I would go ahead and replace them then, along with all of the other parts that come with the Timing Belt Kit.

 

They're located in the cam towers. They're under the timing belt cover at the end of the camshafts un the cam sprockets. You can't see them unless you have the timing belt cover off. The oil runs down the plate between the engine and the timing belt and drips onto the alternator.