1995 Eagle Talon ESI: Oil leak

[jt14894]

Hello! I wasn't sure whether to post this in both the Dodge Tech and Mitsu tech, but if anyone can help or advise.
I just noticed this as I was changing my oil last weekend, but now that I think of it, I think its been leaking for a while.
I don't see any oil leaking from the oil pan, bolt plug, or the oil filter, but it looks like its coming somewhere near where the engine meets the tranny.
I've heard of people having issues because of the head gasket or the rear main seal leaking.
Has anyone heard anything about this?
I appreciate your input!
Thanks!

[Dano Moparo]

Head gasket, or cam seals or both.

[Josiah]

head gasket, back of head on the drivers side this is an issue with the 95 head gaskets for some reason, change to the new MLS head gasket design and you will be good to go

[jt14894]

Thanks for your input. Unfortunately, I'm only a novice at doing hard core engine work so I would be too uncomfortable doing a job like that by myself.
Can most auto service centers do this type of job? If so, how much do you think this will put me back?

[Josiah]

most places can do a headgasket job, but they charge quite a bit...the cheapest I have ever been quoted was $400...the most... $1000(which was at the dealer) the prices vary so much depending on whether or not they have to provide the parts...and for whatever they charge for labor, before you go and do something that extreme though, see if you can pinpoint the exact location of the leak

[jt14894]

most places can do a headgasket job, but they charge quite a bit...the cheapest I have ever been quoted was $400...the most... $1000(which was at the dealer) the prices vary so much depending on whether or not they have to provide the parts...and for whatever they charge for labor, before you go and do something that extreme though, see if you can pinpoint the exact location of the leak

Thanks!
I think the dealer would be the last place I would bring the car.
The leak does not appear to be coming from the oil pan or the oil filter because I can see the oil dripping off of, this is very hard to describe, what looks to be a center bar just under where the engine meets the tranny. It looks like some kind of bar for the motor mount which is connected to it. I hope this description helps.
Anyway, if I look at the engine from above I don't see any oil leaking from the front of valve cover, but if I try to look in the back, I am not able to see anything since my view is obstructed. I'm assuming the leak is coming from behind somewhere, but exacty where I don't know.

[Josiah]

ah yes, your intake manifold is in the back...that would obstruct your view a bit...I'd reccomend using a mirror of some type(I usually use a dentist mirror) to see around it, also another possibility, it could also be your rear main seal, in which case your tranny would need to be removed to replace it, which is certainly going to cost more than a headgasket job...well, maybe, never gotten a quote on tranny removal

[jt14894]

ah yes, your intake manifold is in the back...that would obstruct your view a bit...I'd reccomend using a mirror of some type(I usually use a dentist mirror) to see around it, also another possibility, it could also be your rear main seal, in which case your tranny would need to be removed to replace it, which is certainly going to cost more than a headgasket job...well, maybe, never gotten a quote on tranny removal

Rear main seal. Hmm!
From the sound of it, it sounds like that could be a costly one when you mention the possibilty of having to remove the tranny to replace it.
Once I pinpoint the leak, I would have find out how much its going to cost. If its going to cost more than what the car is worth, I may just have to deal with having to constantly add oil every now and then.
If its not going to affect the car's performance, I may just leave it the way it is. We'll see.

[Josiah]

a rear main seal leak can cause clutch slipping issues(I think anyway) as well as lead to a very dirty engine bay and undercairrage, not to mention possible engine damage if you forget to add oil...also, if oil is leaking out...who knows what might be able to get into the engine