My sister's contour (98.0 LX V6 5sp) broke down today on her way to school (about 3 hours away). In the previous week all lights in the car had been dimming and brightening on their own while driving. She had the car towed to the Ford dealer near her school. They called back saying that the Timing Cover Seal had broken and caused oil to leak on the alternator which caused it to short out. Other symptoms right before the car died was a non-functioning tach, and an unresponsive throttle.
Now my knowledge of the mechanics of the car is pretty limited. Is the dealer's explanation a possibility or completely rediculous? In general I'm inclined to trust the dealer's diagnosis, but I've never been to this dealer, and an oil leak causing the tach and accelerator not to work seemed kinda odd. Any opinions about whether their diagnosis makes sense?
Thanks in advance.
