Quick answer. A 2010 Chrysler Town and Country with the 3.8 V6 was leaking oil fast at the top rear of the engine. The owner in Hemet wanted to know where it came from before paying for a fix. We sent a tech for a $75 diagnosis. The leak turned out to be a bigger job than the owner had said yes to, so the tech stopped and asked for a new quote.
Key Points
- The owner cleaned the oil off, drove around the block, and it was back on top of the engine.
- The oil was only at the back of the engine, coming from the top.
- We quoted a $75 diagnosis first, at the owner's home in Hemet.
- The repair was bigger than the approved figure, so work stopped for a new quote and a new yes.
- The van showed 163,333 miles with the check engine light on.
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What the Owner Told Us
The owner was clear. The leak comes out pretty quick. They cleaned it off, drove around the block, came back, and oil was all over the top again.
They noticed something useful too. No oil at the front of the motor. Only the back, and it was coming from the top.
And they said what they wanted. Find out where the leak comes from first. Then tell me the price.
That is the right way to ask for an oil leak repair.
Why We Quoted a Diagnosis First
On a 3.8 V6, a fast leak at the top rear is most often the valve cover gasket. Our quote said so. It also said we were going to confirm before opening anything.
The quote spelled out the risk. If the oil was coming from the rear main seal or the oil cooler lines, the job changes a lot. Those are much bigger repairs than a valve cover gasket.
So the first step was one hour of diagnosis at $75. A trip charge for the mobile visit was listed as a separate line.
When the Job Got Bigger
The tech looked it over on September 9. Then the job record shows the stop. The repair was bigger than the figure the owner had approved.
So the work stopped. The rule on our desk is simple. A new quote and a new yes come before anything else gets done.
We do not have the end of this story on the record. What we have is the part we care about most. Nobody went past the number the owner agreed to.
2010 Chrysler Town and Country 3.8 V6, Hemet, September 9
Came in with: a fast oil leak at the top rear of the engine.
First guess on the quote: valve cover gaskets, to be confirmed.
What happened: the repair was bigger than approved, so the tech stopped.
Charged first: $75 diagnosis, with the trip charge listed separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes an oil leak at the back of a 3.8 V6?
A fast leak at the top rear is most often the valve cover gasket. The rear main seal and the oil cooler lines can leak too, and those are bigger jobs.
How much was the oil leak diagnosis?
This one was $75 for one hour of diagnosis. The mobile trip charge was added as a separate line.
What happens if the leak repair costs more than the quote?
The tech stops. You get a new quote and give a new yes before any more work is done.
Can a mobile mechanic find an oil leak at my house?
Yes. Our tech did this one at the owner's home in Hemet.
Should I clean the engine before the mechanic comes?
It can help. This owner cleaned it and drove around the block, which showed the leak was fast and where it started.
Supercanic tip: Do what this owner did. Clean the oil off, drive a short loop, and look again. Fresh oil shows where the leak starts. Call us at (951) 904-2477.
Leaking Oil Fast?
We find the source first and you approve the real price before we start.
