Hi all.

My major 105,000 service is coming up. Recently I noticed that my oil level has dropped significantly over the last few weeks and also the other day, (and then later found I have a leak in the rear gasket). I also noticed this strange vibration/buzzing coming into the cabin. (could the mount be going?). Also when on idle I can hear that the rear of the engine is sounding really rough.. would it be wise to simply top the oil until I can get it to a mechanic? Or should I start running to one now? :eeek:

Top it up.
Shine a torch down the back of the engine, if the firewall and steering rack are covered in oil like mine was, the leak is really bad. A bit of a fire hazard really.
Fixing rear rocker cover leaks and the other things are not part of any service, so get it done as soon as possible.
Seeing it is time to change the rear plugs anyway, get a mechanic (or DIY) to do both rocker cover gaskets, tube seals and plugs all at one go. And degrease the firewall/steering rack/back of the engine otherwise it will fume and smell for ages.

Top it up.
Shine a torch down the back of the engine, if the firewall and steering rack are covered in oil like mine was, the leak is really bad. A bit of a fire hazard really.
Fixing rear rocker cover leaks and the other things are not part of any service, so get it done as soon as possible.
Seeing it is time to change the rear plugs anyway, get a mechanic (or DIY) to do both rocker cover gaskets, tube seals and plugs all at one go. And degrease the firewall/steering rack/back of the engine otherwise it will fume and smell for ages.

Is it something that could become overly expensive? I'd DIY it but I'm not too confident working in the back, when I don't actually know what's happening.

Is it something that could become overly expensive? I'd DIY it but I'm not too confident working in the back, when I don't actually know what's happening.

Well, you know what is happening at the back - it's leaking oil. How bad depends on what you find when you get out with a torch.
Plugs, rocker cover gaskets, tube seals and 3 hours labour - figure on $400 or so. Only a guess though, recently did this job as a DIY exercise.

Well, you know what is happening at the back - it's leaking oil. How bad depends on what you find when you get out with a torch.
Plugs, rocker cover gaskets, tube seals and 3 hours labour - figure on $400 or so. Only a guess though, recently did this job as a DIY exercise.

Haha well yeah I mean I know its leaking, but the severity and the reason why I don't know. Would it be worth to get the leads and sparks and what not changed as well?

Leak on the back of the engine can only be the rocker cover gasket as far as I know.
Severity? See "torch" comments above. Plenty of room at the back of the engine to have a good look.
Definitely spark plugs as they are due. Spark plug leads depends on how much oil has leaked into the plug tubes. This tends to swell the top of the leads that reach down to the spark plugs. I wouldn't replace them if not damaged/swollen badly.

Leak on the back of the engine can only be the rocker cover gasket as far as I know.
Severity? See "torch" comments above. Plenty of room at the back of the engine to have a good look.
Definitely spark plugs as they are due. Spark plug leads depends on how much oil has leaked into the plug tubes. This tends to swell the top of the leads that reach down to the spark plugs. I wouldn't replace them if not damaged/swollen badly.

I went and had a look, no spillage over the firewall of any sort, checked all master cylinders and what not, and there's nothing, so it might not be a major problem. To be safe I filled up with Penrite 5w-40 (although my gut's telling me I should've gone with a 10w-40...)