Dear Tom and Ray:

I have a 1987 Crown Victoria with 95,000 miles. It's now leaking oil. My mechanic has checked the obvious places for leaks and tells me that checking further would involve stripping down the motor and would cost me more than the car is worth. The car is in excellent condition both inside and out, and has had very good care. I still enjoy it, and cannot afford a new car. Meanwhile, it has ruined my driveway and garage floor, and friends ask me not to park in their driveways when I call. Do you have any advice for me? -- Jane

Ray: Sure. Have your friends over to YOUR house.

Tom: Actually, this is not a big problem, Jane. Typically, these cars leak oil from the gasket at the back of the intake manifold. And it is a pain in the neck to get to, but it certainly wouldn't cost more than the car is worth. The repair will cost you a few hundred dollars, 98 percent of which will be labor.

Ray: And when you do it, be sure your mechanic checks your positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system. That's supposed to relieve pressure in the crankcase. But often it gets plugged up and the crankcase pressure can't escape. So it ends up blowing a gasket -- which is probably what happened to your car.

Tom: But for a few hundred bucks, Jane, you can keep this car that you love AND play pinochle at your friends' houses without having to park two blocks away. What a deal, huh?

It's amazing how many bad driving habits and wacko theories have been passed down from generation to generation! Tom and Ray set the record straight in their booklet "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1996 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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