My TF 3.0 Auto is leaking oil from the rocker cover gaskets and distributor seal, apparently a common Magna issue.

So I'm facing a hefty labour fee of over $500 for repairs, even though the replacement parts are pretty cheap at well under $200.

Given the workshop overhead, is there anything else that could be done apart from new seals that would make any sense?

Thanks!

Distributor shaft O ring is a common source of oil leaking. Fairly easy and cheap fix.

Are you sure the oil is leaking from between the head and the block? Or is it leaking from the rocker cover gaskets which are just above? Oil could easily run down the heads and seem to be coming from the head gasket area.

My guess would be rocker cover gaskets. If you are a bit handy with the tools this is not a difficult job.

As mudfish mentioned, you are likely losing oil from the rocker cover gaskets which is a common issue.
Replacing head gaskets would certainly cost more than $500.

I asked myself the same question just a few months ago, the dealer I bought my wagon from had to replace the rocker cover gasket as a part of the deal. At the same time, I did all of the following:
3 rear platinum plugs
Timing Belt
Water Pump

All were at parts cost with only minimal labour as everything was already pulled apart.

If you thoroughly and carefully degrease around the rocker cover gasket/cylinder head area then take for a short drive you should be able to see exactly where the oil is coming from.

Try also tightening the rocker cover bolts down gently as when new gaskets are installed they will settle between the rocker cover and head reducing the tension on the 10mm bolts. This could also be the cause of your leak.

I agree, I had similar problem with my TF, however i carelessly seriously over tightened the rocket covers (only front) so much so I needed to replace them. The manual suggested 3-4nm from memory.

Oil appears to have stopped leaking from the rocket covers, which is great. Only need to carefully degrease engine and check if there are any further leaks.

All the best.

Magna's DO NOT LEAK OIL from head gaskets, I get this all the time from customers who have been told by idiot mechanics that the head gasket is leaking oil

There are a few reasons this appears to be the head gasket, generally on the older Magna's the cross over pipe is blocked, rear head builds up pressure and then blows oil out of the cam seal, the oil runs down the head to the block around the back and down

Magna's DONT have an oil gallery at the back of the head, they are on the inboard side of the head

Get the rocker cover gaskets properly fixed as well as thrust cap and dist seal, clean and see what happens then

Also, $500 for rocker cover gaskets for most shops is a little high.

You're all correct, it's the rocker covers and distributor O-ring that are leaking.

Apologies for my technical sloppiness :nuts:

I asked myself the same question just a few months ago, the dealer I bought my wagon from had to replace the rocker cover gasket as a part of the deal. At the same time, I did all of the following:
3 rear platinum plugs
Timing Belt
Water Pump

All were at parts cost with only minimal labour as everything was already pulled apart.

Thanks for these ideas.

Platinum Plugs: Functional benefits seem to be a matter of dispute, but I guess the extended lifespan makes sense, particularly because my car should have a lot of mileage left in it.

Timing Belt: My car is relatively low milage at around 140,000 km and the timing belt was changed at 100,000 km as recommended, so is this really warranted now?

Water Pump: This seems prudent, since it's a wear-and-tear part with catastrophic results if it does fail. Depends on price, though. Do Magna water pumps generally have a high rate of failure or is this a low risk part?

Thanks for these ideas.

Platinum Plugs: Functional benefits seem to be a matter of dispute, but I guess the extended lifespan makes sense, particularly because my car should have a lot of mileage left in it.

You don't 'need' to use platinum plugs (or for that matter iridium plugs), ordinary copper cored plugs are plenty good enough.
It's just that platinum plugs last a fair bit longer before they should be changed, and changing the rear bank plugs involves a bit of labour (removing the intake plenum etc).
So if you are an even half competent DIYer get the cheaper plugs and replace them every 40,000 km or so, if not get the more expensive platinum plugs and replace them every 100,000 km (and be prepared to pay a mechanic for the labour of removing & replacing the intake plenum).

Timing Belt: My car is relatively low milage at around 140,000 km and the timing belt was changed at 100,000 km as recommended, so is this really warranted now?

Should be OK to leave alone until 200,000 km, unless the new belt has already been on for 5 years or more, in which case it would be prudent to renew it.

Water Pump: This seems prudent, since it's a wear-and-tear part with catastrophic results if it does fail. Depends on price, though. Do Magna water pumps generally have a high rate of failure or is this a low risk part?

That is the one and only mechanical failure I had on my old TE in over 200,000 km, the water pump carked it at around 140,000 km and I only just avoided cooking the engine.
So if you decide to go ahead with renewing the timing belt it would be a good idea to renew the water pump at the same time.