cam seal leads to cracked block??? i'm desperate please help!

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Allen Tyler - 29 Oct 2006 03:41 GMT

owners say car needs cam seal, thermostat (stuck) and timing belt. i am
considering purchasing this vehicle but i am worried that this combonation
spells cracked block or a blown head (friends say this).

i have tried talking to a couple of mechanics and all they say is "bring it
in and we'll look at it, we can't say for sure unless we look at it". i
understand where they are coming from, but i'm not wanting nor would i
expect someone to say "i'm 100% sure its _____", without actually looking at
it. all i am asking is what is the percentage that it is a cracked block or
blown head based on what i am told the car needs?

i hope someone here can help me with this, clearly i don't know too much
about cars and i'm in a bit of a jam plus a little frustrated, so i
apologize if i seem to have an attitude.

thank you for any and all of your time.

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John - 29 Oct 2006 21:13 GMT

>owners say car needs cam seal, thermostat (stuck) and timing belt. i am
>considering purchasing this vehicle but i am worried that this combination
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>it. all i am asking is what is the percentage that it is a cracked block or
>blown head based on what i am told the car needs?

Your mechanics are right. It's impossible to accurately diagnose with only
a description. With my experience with Mazda motors, I would say a cracked
block is not very likely. A blown head gasket or a cracked head is quite possible.
The leaking cam shaft seal and timing belt are no big deal. When they say the
thermostat is stuck, if it's "stuck" in the closed position (translation - engine is
running hot) then there is a good chance the head gasket is blown or possibly
the head is cracked. See if you can get them to remove the belt that drives the
water pump. With the engine cold, fill the radiator to within about 3/4" of over-
flowing. Leave the radiator cap off and start the engine but don't let it run for
more than a minute. Watch the water in the radiator. If you see a lot of bubbles
coming up through the water or the water starts to overflow the radiator, don't
buy the car. It has a blown head gasket or a cracked head.

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XS11E - 08 Nov 2006 03:55 GMT

> owners say car needs cam seal, thermostat (stuck) and timing belt.
> i am considering purchasing this vehicle but i am worried that
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> the percentage that it is a cracked block or blown head based on
> what i am told the car needs?

They're correct, you need to take it in. The work you outline will be
pretty costly and there may be other problems such as brakes,
tranmission, suspension, etc. I'd find another car to purchase, sounds
to me like that one has not been maintained properly.

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