please help: oil leak

My 1990 Accord developed a massive oil leak last night. Mechanic says it will be $260 to remove timing cover to determine where leak is coming from. Could be a simple seal or something more (like the head). If it's the head, the car is junk yard fodder, but if it's something simple, I'm willing to pay the ~$300 to fix it.

Any experience with this? What are my odds that its something worth fixing?

Thanks,
Brendan

where is the oil seem to leak out from?

If your machanic needs $260 just to remove and check where the oil is leaking from, I am sure it's going to cost you at least $300 to fix it due to the labor.

If you are only willing to put out $300 to fix it forget it. By replacing the part does not necessary means your car is fixed, your machanic needs to find out what is causing the problem and fix the main problem itself (which most machanic don't care now-a-day).

$260 to find an oil leak?

GO find another mechanic!

It should be obvious where its comeing from. Give the eingine a clean then take it for a quick drive, come back and give it a good look over.

If its a leaking cam cover gasket you can replace it yourself for the cost of the gasket.