I don't buy it.

If the timing case ( and not the cover ) is cracked, there are guys here who will testify that under inspection, instead of having to go though all the trouble of cam gear removal, they simply cleaned the cracked case area and applied JBWeld. A hundred thousand miles later, the only cost was a outer timing case set and crank seal.

Leak, schmeak. Locate the leak yourself, and repair it yourself. It's not hard to do, and YouTube is your best friend

 

Btw, it may be as simple as the crank seal, or outer timing cover seal that leaking.

This can be done in a weekend if you took your time, and worked a few hours per day.

 

That sound's like someone that really doesn't want to do the work . I would do as NJTman said fix it yourself these engines are very easy to work on .