What's the usual cause of an oil leak? Seems like it might be leaking from the oil pan gasket only problem is a mechanic said only way to change it would be to lift the engine up. I was quoted a price of $20 for the gasket and like $1200 for labor doesn't seem right to me.

Any thoughts?

 

Oh it is quite possible that the oil pan gasket is leaking. Mine does. So do my valve covers. Oh and the oil drain pan plug. And the tranny. It leaks more power steering fluid than it uses in fuel. As a matter of fact it leaks every fluid it has except fuel and brake fluid!! I pretty much just live with it. (though I am gonna fix the PS leak!)

The mechanic isn't BS'ing you. On most cars because of how the engine cradle crossbeam is welded in there, you can't normally remove the oil pan without at least raising the engine ~6 inches. On many, raising it that high entails pretty much everything you'd have to do to completely pull the engine out so, yes, you are gonna pay a pretty penny for that!

$1200 labor charges are the exact reason I fix all my stuff myself!

 

My 2002 Deville (base) leaks about a couple quarts every 3000 miles. I live with it, since I change my oil every 3000-4000 miles. Northstar engines are infamous for repairs that are more expensive to fix than live with. For instance, I need the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) Solenoid. I can buy the part at Advance Auto Parts for $30, but in order to replace it, it takes 8 hours ($840 Labor + $30 part = $870).

TS