2000 Corolla Oil Leak

[blb]

I'm considering the purchase of a 2000 Corolla with 99,000 miles for $1800, however it has a major oil leak. There is oil all around the alternator, A/C compressor, and all around all of the belt driven accessories. When the engines runs, the oil is slung all around by the moving belt and accessories and it's impossible to tell where the leak is originating, without cleaning everything off and watching carefully, which I can't do since I don't own it yet.

I seem to remember reading on here awhile back about a common issue with oil leakage on this engine, (timing chain tensioner maybe?) but I did a few searches and can't find the information.

Is there any source of oil leakage that is common for the 1ZZ engine?

[Bitter]

sounds like that could be a front main seal possibly.

[blb]

That's a good possibility. Any other ideas?

[kabhatti]

Is this an expensive fix? I seem to have this possibly. Thx