'01 Mazda Tribute has some leaks: what to fix?

STEJAMPZY

MEMBER
2001 MAZDA

So, I need to get some work done on my 2001 Mazda Tribute (110,000 miles) and am wondering what is the most necessary to get fixed right away.

Here's the laundry list w/ dealership estimates including parts & labor (I live in Minneapolis -- not sure if prices vary nationally):

Brake Master Cylinder leak - $250 (definitely doing this!)
Oil Pan leak - $264
Crankcase leak - $126
Left Axle Seal leak - $193
Differential Pan leak - $162

We plan on driving this vehicle for another 2-3 years as long as it continues to otherwise run well, so I don't mind getting the work done but I'm curious as to what is the most important.

Thanks for any help provided!
Steve

3 Replies

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,754 POSTS

Replace the master cylinder yourself. They are not that difficult to do. That is number one. The oil and crankcase leak should be done together and that depends on the amount of oil you are leaking. I assume you are talking about a seal on the engine when you talk about the crankcase leak. The left axle seal leak, is that the CV boot?

Why is thing so rough? There aren't that many miles on it. Manual tranny or automatic?

You have them listed in the order I would do them except that I would do the two engine oil leaks first. If the seal is the leak on the crankcase, I would have them check the play of the crank for wear of the bearings.

Good luck!

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Friday, January 5th, 2007 AT 4:54 PM

STEJAMPZY

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks for the tips! I'm not quite handy enough to replace the master cylinder on my own, I don't think. While I can put in a new car stereo and speakers, I don't know much under the hood.

The car has been driven extensively for work so has put on a lot of wear and tear in just a few years. It actually has just over 120,000 miles at this point, but I still think it should last another 2-3 years considering we'll be driving it much less now. 150,000 miles shouldn't be an issue these days.

Thanks again. Have a great day!
Steve

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Tuesday, January 9th, 2007 AT 11:54 AM

COSMO

MECHANIC
347 POSTS

Actually none of these things are uncommon at this age.

The crank seals yend to leak on htese engine and the oil pan gaskets tend to get a little cooked by the exhaust (being soo close) over time. The diff cover is a no brainer, its justa silicone seal and tends to leak after time (every seen a ford or chev cover not leak?)

The axle seal might not neat o be done right away of your not losing tranny fluid.

Now the brake master leaking. Hmmmm. There was a bulletin on the master cyl resevoir caps leaking, making it look like the master was leaking. There is an updated fluid cap.

Cosmo. Mazda Tech

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Tuesday, January 9th, 2007 AT 8:01 PM