Engine out + gearbox out: best way forward and cost

[GO LEO]

Hi all,

I have two issues with my 97 4.2 AJP with 37k on the clock that will definitely need fixing sooner or later. My question to you is mostly about whether you think it should all be done at the same time (will cost a lot of money at once) or whether it is also recommendable to fix one issue during this winter and the other one during next winter effectively spreading cost over a 12 months period which will be easier to explain to the missus ļ.

1) Engine front cover gasket (maybe shaft seal is the right term?) is leaking slightly. Front cover won¡¦t come off without engine going out. It doesn¡¦t seem super urgent to fix but since I want to change fuel lines and coil packs anyway I don¡¦t want to wait too long. I am sure that when the engine is out there will be more things surfacing that would make sense to exchange¡K
2) Clutch slave cylinder is leaking. I currently have to refill one inch of liquid per 200 miles. Loss of liquid seems stable at the moment. To replace the slave gearbox has to come out. It probably makes sense to change the clutch at the same time (is probably the first one).

So¡K would you guys recommend to do everything in one go because it is more economic and maybe even easier for the workshop to get gearbox out when engine is out already (or vice versa) or does it not make a huge difference?
If I were to do both at the same time I am definitely considering to drive the car to the UK (from Germany) to benefit from UK specialist experience. Can you recommend a garage as far south from Scotland ļ as possible? How much would you believe will it cost to fix both issues including the parts I have listed and including the labour?

Many questions for one thread¡K
Thanks upfront for your answers!

Leo

[itiejim]

Personally I wouldn't take the engine out for that. The gearbox alone is much easier to take out than the engine. You should be able to strip enough off the front of the engine to pull the cam chain cover forward and, carefully, remove the old sealant and re-seal. It won't be easy, but I think it can be done.

If you do want to bring the car to the UK then Andy at APM gets great recommendations.

[Gazzab]

Agree with above.
The challenge when engine is out is how to keep spend down eg rebuild engine, water pipes, chassis repairs, clutch, flywheel etc etc
Leave engine if you can :-)

[ukkid35]

GO LEO said:

1) Engine front cover gasket (maybe shaft seal is the right term?) is leaking slightly.

If you really do mean the front seal, then this is a relatively easy job, certainly not an engine pull. The seal carrier actually comes right off the timing cover, the most awkward part of this job is undoing the crank bolt - but I'm now a convert to the Clarke CEW1000 impact wrench, job done in two minutes.