Found a promising 200, but has oil leak

[Krummholz]

I have been lurking here for a while researching the purchase of a 100 or 200 series cruiser. Finally found what seems to be an excellent option. I Drove a couple hundred miles to check it out, and after a thorough inspection and test drive all seemed good.
At the last minute of the deal, I noticed what appears to be a small oil leak behind the front mount of the upper control arm on the passenger side. I have read about the cam tower leak problems, but this seems to be in a slightly different location than most pictures I see. Does anybody know if this is also a cam tower leak or maybe something else? Hard to tell exactly where it is coming from, but I snapped the best picture I could get without taking things apart. (The leak is just under the control arm mount in the picture.) I walked away from the deal, but am wondering if I over reacted. They would not budge on the price, otherwise I would maybe just risk it. Do you think this small leak is a big enough problem to avoid buying an otherwise clean 2008 LC?

 

[tominboise]

I'm having a hard time seeing the leak at all. Since no oil seems to be running off the bottom of the engine, I probably wouldn't get too worried about it. Passing on the rig or not totally depends on the price and all the other factors that go along with it.

 

[Krummholz]

Yeah, hard to see the leak as it was kind of hidden behind the control arm mount. It's not very big, maybe an oil soaked area of 1" wide and 2" long. It just concerned me because of all the stories I've read of expensive cam tower leak repairs.
It's a 2008 with 105k and they are asking $32,500. I thought that seemed a touch high if there was an expensive repair that needed to be done. But now I'm wondering if I made a mistake walking away...

 

[TonyP]

The oil leak can happen anywhere along the head, not necessarily just the front. You can always take it to a dealer for a PPI and have them specifically look for the leak. Then use that to leverage the price.

 

[ckkone]

I wouldn't have worried about it, is it possible that is just spillage below the oil fill location?

 

[Markuson]

View attachment 1602992 I have been lurking here for a while researching the purchase of a 100 or 200 series cruiser. Finally found what seems to be an excellent option. I Drove a couple hundred miles to check it out, and after a thorough inspection and test drive all seemed good.
At the last minute of the deal, I noticed what appears to be a small oil leak behind the front mount of the upper control arm on the passenger side. I have read about the cam tower leak problems, but this seems to be in a slightly different location than most pictures I see. Does anybody know if this is also a cam tower leak or maybe something else? Hard to tell exactly where it is coming from, but I snapped the best picture I could get without taking things apart. (The leak is just under the control arm mount in the picture.) I walked away from the deal, but am wondering if I over reacted. They would not budge on the price, otherwise I would maybe just risk it. Do you think this small leak is a big enough problem to avoid buying an otherwise clean 2008 LC?

Are you referring to the faint oil area on on the splash guard?

 

[Krummholz]

Thanks for the opinions! Making me feel a bit better about it possibly being a good option still. Although, making me feel like I may have overreacted! Haha

No Markuson, the leak is on the engine behind that guard. Hard to see it, just wanted to highlight the area it is in with the picture.

 

[gaijin]

No Markuson, the leak is on the engine behind that guard. Hard to see it, just wanted to highlight the area it is in with the picture.

To be clear, is this the "leak" you are worried about?

HTH

 

[Krummholz]

To be clear, is this the "leak" you are worried about?

HTH

Yes, that is the one.

 

[UCrazyKid]

I would have no issue with that. Not a leak, maybe a weepy seal at most. Price is a little high IMHO.