oil pan gasket and radiator coolant question

[kmlayton]

I have a few questions that I am looking for answers to.

#1) For the past few weeks, I have noticed a weird smell coming from my engine especially when I got out of my car after driving it. I also noticed that I was leaking some type of fluid during the same time that I noticed the smell. I got my oil changed today and they said that my oil pan gasket needs replaced and that I am leaking oil pretty badly. They said that it would cost $330 approx. to get it fixed. I called another auto repair shop and gave me a $275 quote. Does anyone know if I am getting ripped off or whether I could get this done for a cheaper price? I don't have much money and am looking to get it done for as cheap as I can get it done. Also, I put pan underneath my car to catch the leaking oil. Can I put that oil back in the car, since it was oil that was put in the car today?

#2) I am somewhat of a idiot when it comes to car knowledge. I was checking my fluid levels and noticed that the liquid that is used for the radiator is low. Do I just need to buy radiator coolant and fill up the reservoir tank with that? In my first car that I ever owned, I remember filling that reservoir with water and antifreeze. I am confused on what I fluid I am supposed to put in the tank or if it even matters. Could someone help me out on this?

Thanks.

[way2old]

The oil pan gasket is not too bad of a job on your car. However it still takes time and this is what you are paying for. So those prices seem reasonable to me. You can not put the oil back in your car. It is full of dirt and anything else it will catch off the road. The coolant can be topped off and have it checked for a leak. It needs pressure tested for this leak. If you are mechanically inclined, you can do these repairs yourself. It will be dirty and nasty. Also you will be laying flat on your back. Good luck.

[mtmaurer8ooo]

Ummm, well, first...what kind of car do you have. I will dare to 'ass/u/me' it's a Taurus since you are posting under the Taurus section, but what year, engine, etc. Let me know and I'll try to get you an accurate price on the oil pan and gasket replacement. Also, I'd get your car into a shop and have them write a proper estimate. It sounds to me like you're just running w/ the first thing someone told you, and maybe just calling around for estimates - which is not the best way to do it. That's not to say that they are wrong, but you first mentioned that you had 'some type of fluid' leaking from your vehicle and that just doesn't sound too concrete. I would, first, pinpoint what exactly is leaking before you start spending money.

Second. No. Do not put the oil that leaks out of your car back into your car. Just add new oil as per the manufacturers recommendation. As clean as you may think it is, it may (and prob does) have contaminents in it that you can't see. After all, it did drip off the bottom of a dirty engine, right?. Also, how much is it leaking? A quart every 3000? Every 2000, 1000...everyday??? If it is leaking so much that you have to add oil every day then you shouldn't be driving it anyway. Like I said, try to get us a little more info and we'll go from there...

As for the coolant. First, make sure that you are looking at the COOLANT resevoir and not the WASHER FLUID resevoir. Not to insult your inteligence, but a lot of people make this mistake. Second, add a 50/50 mix of coolant and water. Also, make sure that you are adding the correct coolant. If you need help determining that, let us know. Also, make sure not to overfill the resevoir.

Good Luck. Let us know what ever else you can and if you have any other questions. M.

[TaurusKing]

As far as adding coolant, the older taurus's, 95's and older, if you add coolant, it should be done when the engine is stone cold, open rad cap, fill to very top, put cap back on, next add coolant to the overflow bottle to the minimum line,, should be all set to work properly, newer cars add to the degas bottle only, which has a screw-on cap, again to minimum or cold level.. for safety make sure engine is cold.. drive it for a couple of days, check the level again, like the other poster said, make sure it's not the windshield wash bottle,, price for the gasket repair doesn't seem out of line, as usual it's mostly labor. Make sure it's oil and not your antifreeze running down the engine and getting all dirtied up.