I have an XC70 with 180,000 mi on it that has been having oil leak problems for the last year or so. Cabin smells like oil due to the oil leaking on the exhaust. Twice in the last year it's had breather box problems. Now it's leaking oil though the valve cover gasket. Dealer is quoting $850 repair. I'm trying to make the decision on whether to put this one out to pasture and find a new car or to make the repair. I'm sure I can get the repair done cheaper through an independent but even if I do that is it likely I'll see oil leaks somewhere else in the engine due to pressure against other old seals in the engine? The car also probably needs new brakes soon so I am really thinking about selling it off and letting someone else deal with the issues. Looking for thoughts/questions here on what to do. In the last year I've spent about $1700 in repairs. Suspect the car isn't worth much more than that now.

 

I just spent over a grand when my cam seals blew while we were on a roadtrip. Had to go to a dealer and we rented a car to get home.

You can do al this stuff yourself. It is not hard.

 

I like to tell people that older cars cost about $75 per month to keep on the road. Car payments likely average about $400. Doing the work you just mentioned would be like to car payments. $800 per year wouldn't be bad but if you're spending more than $2,500 I'd think about bailing.

 

Yea, it always depends on your own point of view Like when it took $300+ to fill up my motor home last month...I said well i have no commute so it's OK to spend that kind of CASH on gas LOL!

 

Well it turns out the major problem wasn't that it was leaking oil. I took it to an independent after the dealer gave me their diagnosis. The turbo was burning oil and had to be rebuilt. Still cheaper than a new car payment and hopefully that's the last major repair for the next year or so. Mechanically the car is in great shape.

 

Yea, Ive had two situations with the dealer recently like paying 49.00 for an oil change as part of a 1400.00 bill and got NO oil change! The last time there they came up with this several thousand dollar repair for seals on the engine (at 120k) and I will let the local guy look at it bfr I proceed! Im kinda ready to go from "preventative" to if it ain broke dont fix it.