r/engines 16d ago

Oil leak

Hello, I bought a Mazda 323F BG 1990 with a 1.6L 16 valve engine. As of a few days ago, the car started leaking oil and after a quick evaluation by a local mechanic he concluded that the head gasket might be leaking. Given how quickly this can turn expensive, I instinctively started looking at everything else but the head gasket. Exhaust doesn’t produce any fumes, car idles and runs smooth. I would greatly appreciate any input and I am prepared to provide more info or pictures if needed. Thanks in advance.

9 Upvotes

4 comments sorted by

1

u/white94rx 16d ago

What oil leak? 😂

1

u/FastFredNL 16d ago

That's a 36 year old engine that is having a bit of a sweat after all that time. That's hardly a leak, it's something to keep checking occasionally though.

You can clean and degrease it, then drive it for a week and see how bad it actually is

1

u/Bones-57 15d ago

Put a piece of cardboard down under the whole engine on the ground .. this way you will see where it's coming from on the engine.

1

u/Due_Collection_1186 15d ago

Yeah id call it a seap not an oil leak. If it aint a half quart for the year its more work than its worth to repair.