As promised, I have an updated to my 91 TR 4Cyl Magna (auto) that was puffing smoke at startup and loosing oil over a period of time (and loosing coolant but I'd prefer to get the bigger problems out of the way first).

Had a friend look at it, and we both spotted the top rocker seal had come out on the passanger side. Oil was basically covering it from there and downwards. I must have been blind. Even a school yard kid could easily see it.

Unfortunately (recently) my battery lights has been going off and on, car revs changing when it did come on, lights, wipers... all acting funny.... was quick to notice alot of the leaking oil is basically bunji jumping down (without a cable) and landing on either the alternator and whatever else lies down there....

So now i've found the problems, how much money can I expect for both items to be fix? My battery is now dead as a doornob (not even the clock works!) so I have no choice but to fork out money I don't have. Any recommended places for such a job? (live in Melb, Elwood area). I garage around the corner quoted $250 for valve seal replacement (which was the guess from many of the helpful people here on the forums at the time). Sound worthy on following up?

Thanks in advance..
Sasquire

Your rocker cover gasket leak (if it's the rear one) is probably pouring oil into the alternator - that's how mine failed. I paid about $300 for a replacement Bosch alternator, fitted. The gaskets are easy to change; $18 for 2 from Mitsu; takes about 15mins to change the front one and 30mins to do the rear.

my local mitsu dealer quoted me about $7 trade for a rocker cover gasket for a 2.6 in a TR. As for your coolant leak, fix it! if you don't you will be replacing a head gasket or the motor. Cooling system problems cause more engine breakdowns than any other fault.