Changing the Distributor O-Ring...

[Shades]

Here's my ordeal:<BR>I have an oil leak coming from the engine. Everyone I take it too says that it's either the valve cover gasket or the distributor o-ring... apparently a common thing on MX-3's. I changed the valve cover gasket... so I'm thinking it's the distributor o-ring. But there's oil running all down the side of the engine facing the front of the car.<P>Here's my questions:<BR>True that the valve cover gasket and distributor o-ring are a common problem on MX-3's? If not what are some common oil leak problems and fixes?<P>Has anyone changed the distributor o-ring themselves? How hard is it to do? <P>I just bought a Chilton's, but it's for a combination of Mazda cars including the MX-3. If anyone has used this as a reference for changing the distributor o-ring, let me know if it was helpful.<P>Do I need to know anything special for the change? Like the timing?<P>Thanks, JoN

[boostedmx]

if it is coming down the front of your engine its prolly the valve cover gasket. if it is the distributer o ring then its not that hard to do at all. mark the dist. before you take it out and it should be fine when you put it back together. i dont think it is a common thing with mx's to leak but that might because mine never did.

[fieval79]

i just bought the distributor 0-ring from the local shop.....it was $0.69!!!!!!! Here I was thinking that my oil leak was going to cost me a bundly....heheh.....still haven't put it in though...<P>I've been lazy lately......have had new brake pads for a week, and are still in the box....

[Shades]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by fieval79:<BR><STRONG>i just bought the distributor 0-ring from the local shop.....it was $0.69!!!!!!! Here I was thinking that my oil leak was going to cost me a bundly....heheh.....still haven't put it in though...<P>I've been lazy lately......have had new brake pads for a week, and are still in the box....</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Let me know when you do change the o-ring...

[-=deathtrap-mx3=-]

my poor car leaks non-stop. finally after i took it to the dealership(third place in 5 months) it stopped. local shops here suck

[mazda20]

So is timing not an issue here?<BR>Do you still need to check the timing after you replace the O-ring or gasket?

[Shades]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Kick @#$ Mazda:<BR><STRONG>So is timing not an issue here?<BR>Do you still need to check the timing after you replace the O-ring or gasket?</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>I'm not sure... BUT, I changed to O-ring today. I used the Chilton's manual... basically you mark everything... which way everything is pointing and whatever. I guess as long as you do that the timing will be fine. It was easy only took me about an hour to change the O-ring... Mazda wanted $75 CDN to do the job for an O-ring that cost me $5.