Hello everyone,

I love my new Vantage! I just got it and think it's absolutely fantastic! Its a 2007, manual, 7500 miles. I had a Post Purchase Inspection (I know...that's backwards) and I have the old pulley and leaky cam cover. Other than that, its perfect.

Honestly, I don't mind leaks and this one is really minor. What are your opinions on leaving it for a couple months until winter before I change it? I've done research and understand where the leaks come from...has anyone put some silicon sealer on the outside to temporarily stem the leak? My only concern is that I think oil may be hitting the belt and may degrade it.

The belt definitely squeaks until its warm, then its silent. I think that's the pulley, though.

Thanks...I'm glad to be part of the Aston Martin club!
Ken

 

Ken,
I have a 2007 manual as well. I bought it with 2900 miles on it in August of this year. I don' t have any leaks that I know of, however I would have it fixed sooner than later. Not only does a oil leak make a mess it also could become worse at any time maybe even during a drive without your knowledge. Plus I don't think you'd want the pulley to seize up or fail. These are hi performance cars that are very costly to repair if you have to fix a major component or part. Fix it now while it is a fairly simple repair. Just my $0.02.
Ron

 

Did you get this inspection done at a certified Aston dealer?

I've never seen leaks from a cam cover on a V8.. It's usually always a leak from the tri-joint seal.. Which is where the cam cover+timing cover+head all meet together. The fix is to drop the complete from subframe and replace the timing cover gaskets.

The squeak noise is from the lower idler pulley(common complaint is squeaks when only cold) the belt and idler pulley will need to be replaced to a newer revised version.

Hope this helps..

 

From what I heard from an independent Aston tech back when I found a car I considered buying that had the issue, there are two separate oil leaks that can happen from the cam cover. The cam cover gasket itself can leak, and the tri-joint seal (which is above the bottom of where the gasket usually leaks) like you mentioned. Many times the leak on the top drips to the bottom and is mis-diagnosed as the gasket leak (which requires the entire replacement as you noted), while the tri-joint seal leak can actually be fixed with an attempt at basically "plugging" the tri-joint seal with some type of sealant. The quote to do the "whole thing" (which by default included the tri-seal fix) was about 40% more expensive than just the tri-seal fix, but of course, it *could* be the gasket leaking and you may have just fixed something that didn't need to be fixed.

As for the belt, it's a FEAD pulley if I remember correctly, which is also a recommended replacement when doing the cam leak anyways since it has to come off.

 

Tri-joint seal repair is a waste of money, it never works..just bypasses time till the car is off warranty...beings this car of concern is a 2007, I wouldn't waste the time and money on attempting to fix the Tri joint, replace the timing cover gakets and be done with it. From experience once the Tri joint fails, the timing cover gaskets also let's go at the head to block sealing area on the timing cover..

The FEAD pulley is a idler pulley, I've already explained it needs to be replaced with the newer revised version along with the belt for this revised idler pulley

 

So can you clarify, I'm sorry. The recommended solution to the tri joint leak is to just replace timing gasket cover?

 

If I had a car leaking at the Tri joint..I would send the request to have the timing cover seals replaced(I'm paid salary so no profit to me whatever option is chosen). If it was warranty, I would still send the request but 8/10 it will get refused and I'll have to do the Tri joint mod first, 10/10 that same car comes back in under 1000miles with a leak still and THEN warranty will auth to replace the timing cover seals...if it was customer pay, I would replace the timing cover seals unless client wanted to try the Tri seal mod, client would then have to sign a waiver that the leak is NOT guaranteed to be repaired, that it is only an attempt not a guarantee..I always give the choice to the client for its entirely there choice with only my recommendation noted for advise. If timing cover seals are the choice to be replaced, it will be guaranteed unlike the Tri joint mod when customer pay..

 

I guess the timing cover seal replacement is the more expensive option, right?

 

Comparing tri joint seal vs timing cover..yes timing cover is more expensive, parts are cheap, it's more labour intense

 

Thanks for taking the time to explain

 

Thanks for the details. I did take it to an aston dealer. I got a quote for the cam cover seals with the understanding that it could be the tri joint, which would cost more.

I haven't gotten under the car yet. I can tell you there is no oil on the ground. My question is, do I even need to worry about it? Does a leak like this even matter?

I will certainly replace the pulley and belt. Is that an easy fix? I have a lift and am pretty handy if I have a bit of guidance.

Thanks again!

 

When the time comes will you be able to sell the car with the leak? That is the question. You can either fix it now & not worry about the leak or not fix it & have difficulty reselling / trading.

 

Well to me, unknown problems could be classed as hard, nuts+bolts and known problems are easy..so and pulley is easy..if you have a lift you can even do the timing cover