whats the most youll spend on fixing an engine oil leak no matter where the problem is?

 

this could go a few different ways. If you're asking to what degree i would stretch to get it leak-free, that all depends on the value of the car (market and sentimental/irrational). for a car i know i will be keeping for a while and putting a lot of miles on i would be willing to replace all 10~15 seals that could possibly leak oil if i were doing the work myself.

If you're asking how much it could cost for a shop to work at it until all leaks are fixed... labor costs will vary but expect the total to be high. you could have the job quoted to do a timing belt job which typically includes the four seals on the belt side of the motor, and a new valve cover seal. have them throw in a distributor O-ring and oil pan gasket while they're in there and you're down to the rear main seal and the oil pressure switch as possible leak points. if the cost is not a significant percentage of the value of the car and you expect to drive it regularly for at least 2 years, it's probably worth it.

I would estimate the cost of all parts, to totally eliminate oil leaks, if you were to do the work yourself would be around $60.

on older cars I wouldn't bother "troubleshooting" or trying to identify what is leaking. Just plan to replace seals until nothing is leaking. they're all old, if they aren't leaking now they will soon.