Oil Leak

[REDDYZ]

I was overseas for few months on holiday which gave my kat a long hibernation . After more than 3 months break it fired up instantly. Drove it out and looked for the oil traces on the floor where it was parked and luckily no oil means no leaks. As it is Eibach I cannot see underneath without jacking it up. Took it out for a spin and was happy to find it the way I left it.

But the bad news arrived a week later. After a week I took it out and found oil drops on the floor . Jacked it up and found that the whole engine sump was drenched with oil and I can see oil drop hanging on the drain plug. Front main was dry, no oil traces 2 inches above the sump. Filter and surroundings were dry. Oil was all around the sump not just front and back. It could be either rear main or sump itself or the drain plug.

So, took it to workshop and cleaned up the sump with solvent. Replaced the drain plug (found nothing wrong with the plug though) and checked the sump bolts and they were fine. There is a very less chance to leak from the sump gasket as it is a metal gasket which are long lasting and are reusable.

It been 3 days now and did around 75 kms incl freeway kms. Surprisingly no oil leak so far. It was definitely not breathing because it was dripping so it was definitely a leak. Now leak is gone. I wonder where that oil came from??

[baz]

Hi everyone, I was wondering where everyone has gone,no threads for a long time.
Did you ever find out where your oil leak was?

[thearrow]

Still here but haven't been spending any money on my Kat cos rego is coming up in November = $1000. No doubt there will be "something" needs fixing before it passes the inspect.

[REDDYZ]

Hi Baz, I'm still around and nothing unusual happening with my kat and I think probably the same with everyone which is why nothing much happening around here.

I found out where the oil is leaking from. It is leaking from rear rocker cover and to pin point, it is leaking from the corner where timing cover, rear engine cover and rocker cover intersects. It was hard to trace the leak as oil was following timing cover grooves and eventually going around engine sump following the same grooves and when you look at it you will think that the sump is leaking. I raised car on hoist to clean the leak and thats when I traced the leak. Some how so far no leak. Rocker cover is slightly breathing but nothing major. I will change the rocker gaskets soon when my SVT UIM is ready. I need to get rid of sticky carbon build up inside the UIM before I bolt it on to my kat.

Dave, $1000 to renew rego is a bit too much and on the top insurance as well. Thankfully am in victoria, we only need to pay rego around $630 and no need of inspection. I wouldn't say its less but when compared with NSW, it doesn't hurt much.

[thearrow]

Baz it's $1000.00 including CTP and Rego....

[REDDYZ]

We dont have CTP instead we have TAC and insurance duty (same thing I suppose) which is around $450 + $191 of registration fees. However, we still have to take 3rd party or comprehensive insurance of our choice which is not mandatory though. Do you have to buy 3rd party or comprehensive insurance on top of $1000???

[thearrow]

Yes comprehensive insurance is extra. For me is $1300.00 for a value of $9500.00 with Shannons.

[baz]

Originally Posted by thearrow

Yes comprehensive insurance is extra. For me is $1300.00 for a value of $9500.00 with Shannons.

Dave get an online quote from GIO insureance, mine was a very good deal,read my thred
Baz

[K10wN]

I'm still here and checking in daily.

Put the new Lenso D1R wheels and Bridgestone 225/45ZR17 Potenza S001 tyres on. Had all sorts of fun getting the factory security wheel nuts off (dealer's mechanic kept the key when they put new brakes on before I bought it and they done them up super tight with a rattle gun). Fitted the V-Tech front and rear light covers, sprayed in the Spuce Green body colour. Grabbed some red brake calliper paint to detail up the brakes now they stand out with the new 5 spoke wheels. Sourced a Visteon hood scoop which I'm currently waiting on. Slowly but surely getting it to how I want it. Lots more stuff to order up from UK and US though (when funds allow).

I couldn't see the value in full comprehensive insurance on the Cougar. Third Party Property with Fire and Theft for agreed $9500 was a much better deal. With the high cost of repair on a Cougar (due to SFA parts support in OZ) the car would be written off with what could be considered only minor damage. 2 Large dents, broken mirror and a few scratches up the side in my Dad's Landcruiser and the insurance quote was +$16k.

Rego in QLD for the Cougar is $803 (rego + compulsory third party), extra $391 for the third party property with fire and theft. No yearly RWC either.

[thearrow]

Your reasoning regarding full insurance is flawed.

Assuming you are going to have an accident every few years then if your car is insured for $9500 and written off say with $7000 worth of damage then you get paid the full $9500. So already you are $2500 in front.

Then you get on here and we will be able to arrange all the parts you need for 1/4 of the cost any panel beater is going to charge you. I did this for Paul in WA and his Kat has turned out OK.

Assuming then that your car costs $3500 to repair and you can find a panel beater who will let you supply all the parts then you will be able to pocket $6000.

The main cost of any Cougar repair is going to be parts e.g. front headlights that are $1000 EACH from Fraud but available from the US at U$450.00 each as an example but a lot of other parts are much cheaper.

This arguement assumes that you want to keep your Cougar of course if not then you can walk away with the full $9500 but then have to buy another car.

[DRU842]

The issue your overlooking Arrow is the Insurance company owns the write-off and in NSW at least the car can not be re-registered once its written off.

[baz]

Well guys you should check out GIO, without having to dig out my policy it's about $450 per year for $12500 cover,this was online.
Baz

[K10wN]

Originally Posted by DRU842

The issue your overlooking Arrow is the Insurance company owns the write-off and in NSW at least the car can not be re-registered once its written off.

Same thing here in QLD. The written off car is lost to the insurance company. You do have the option to buy it back from them, IF they will sell it to you.

Don't know if things have changed about not being able to repair write offs in QLD though. Been a while since I've built a car from a wreck (1994 - good rust free body from wreckers, running gear from very rusty/bent car).

The money saved on the yearly comprehensive insurance (if put aside) will pay for the needed repairs of a light accident with a small amount of damage that would otherwise have written the vehicle off because of inflated insurance quotes. Refinishers really do rort the insurance system for all they can get.

[Cougar2K]

Hi guys,

Speaking of Paul from WA, well here I am thanks Dave!

Interesting conversation going on and potentially very close to my heart considering I have gone through exactly all that type hell myself over past 18months or so!

Hmm how very coincidental that only just yesterday I received my renewal notice for rego/3rd party insurance on my Kat.

Jeez you guys must get ripped off over east then coz my renewal for 12months is $485.10!

I suppose again WA may be different to east coast on matters, not sure.

My Kat was ruled a 'write off' after an accident 18months or so back but it was classed 'repairable write off'.

Subsequently I was able to buy the car back from insurance company for nominal figure, then set about getting things fixed up myself.
As Dave mentioned, he kindly assisted in bringing in/sourcing some of the replacement parts I needed and then when allz said and done, long story short, my Kat been back on the roads again last almost 6months...

Still needs the front end resprayed and I'll eventually get around to sorting that out.
Meantime, doesn't stop me enjoying my Kat cruises again every day and people eyeing off the Black Kat even in the current 'unfinished' state that it's in! haha

[REDDYZ]

@Mark, I dont know what kind of lock nuts normal cougars came with but, the Eibach's lock nut and adaptor are rare and complicated pieces. Its easy to round them and very hard to get them out with out adaptor. If you have one of those its better to replace with another one or buy a spare adaptor.

@Baz, you got a very good deal. I am paying $388 a year to AAMI for 3rd party fire and theft with value of ($5500 I think... not sure). I tried for online quote with GIO but they no longer do online quotes I think. Tried few months back and even now. You will be asked to ring them. Which I just did and they quote $903 a year for third party fire and theft with market value of $7500 for Eibach and $6200 for normal cougar. So, like I said you are lucky to be on such a cover.

Yogi

[baz]

Originally Posted by REDDYZ

@Mark, I dont know what kind of lock nuts normal cougars came with but, the Eibach's lock nut and adaptor are rare and complicated pieces. Its easy to round them and very hard to get them out with out adaptor. If you have one of those its better to replace with another one or buy a spare adaptor.

@Baz, you got a very good deal. I am paying $388 a year to AAMI for 3rd party fire and theft with value of ($5500 I think... not sure). I tried for online quote with GIO but they no longer do online quotes I think. Tried few months back and even now. You will be asked to ring them. Which I just did and they quote $903 a year for third party fire and theft with market value of $7500 for Eibach and $6200 for normal cougar. So, like I said you are lucky to be on such a cover.

Yogi

I just found the policy, it was taken out on the 10th july online quote, price was $416.47, $12500 cover, i'm over 25 thought maybe thats it. i've just checked they still do online quots.
Baz

[K10wN]

These kind:



All sorted now. All nuts replaced with ones that match the Lenso wheels. The two studs I had to drill replaced too. Don't even need to remove the hub to replace the studs.

@baz: I'm over 25. I couldn't find any reputable insurer that would even offer insurance to an under 25 on the Cougar. Not to mention a Cougar with modifications. $391 is acceptable though through Budget Direct for 3rd party with fire and theft.

[baz]

Originally Posted by K10wN

These kind:

image

All sorted now. All nuts replaced with ones that match the Lenso wheels. The two studs I had to drill replaced too. Don't even need to remove the hub to replace the studs.

@baz: I'm over 25. I couldn't find any reputable insurer that would even offer insurance to an under 25 on the Cougar. Not to mention a Cougar with modifications. $391 is acceptable though through Budget Direct for 3rd party with fire and theft.

Mine is full comp, even AAMI was under $500 but would only give me $6500 cover, so i got a few quots,

[K10wN]

AAMI quoted me just over $1200 for full comp.

[baz]

I just got a online quote from AAMI here in Melbourne just to find out for you.
My car is a 2001 cougar no mods,leather trim,I am over 60 years old no accidents no finance, and the quote was for a maximum of $9360 cover, cost was $410.83.
Baz

[REDDYZ]

Now I got it. Age factor is the catch. Try the same with age 30, both with AAMI & GIO. I have been trying with age at 29 and got some ridiculous quotes. cheers

Yogi

[baz]

Originally Posted by REDDYZ

Now I got it. Age factor is the catch. Try the same with age 30, both with AAMI & GIO. I have been trying with age at 29 and got some ridiculous quotes. cheers

Yogi

That must be the only thing that's good about being over 60.
Baz

[K10wN]

I'm 43, no accidents, no finance, but modified car. The silly thing is the mods make it safer. Bigger wheels/premium tyres (more grip), bigger brakes (stops better), better alarm/immobiliser (engages soon as you close the door with no key in ignition), better stereo (never a need to look away from the road to change cd with 16gb of mp3 on usb).

My car is also locked in a workshop that has video surveillance 99% of the time. The area I live in is very low crime.

I don't get why the quotes are so high for me.