golfdawg

I have a small oil leak. From time to time. Meaning sometimes it drips and sometimes it does not. It is coming from the right side of the car on the bottom. I can not see where it may be coming from and the engine looks clean with no visible signs of issues. Can someone point me in the right direction to begin the search. 1999 ES300. 120k on her.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

I'd put my money on the rear main seal, that is where mine is leaking also. The mechanic also mentioned my oil pan, but i have my doubts about that one

MikeLex

Sounds like you're in need of a new rear valve cover gasket. Very common issue, especially for a thirteen year old car.

BDSL

1. Get engine degreaser and wash the engine down.
2. Let the engine dry.
3. Then start and idle the car for 10-20 seconds. Shut it down.
4. Inspect where the leak is coming from.

Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you find the leak...

R1R

Yes, rear main seal. I have a 1997 and mines is leaking as well. I'm not going to bother with it, my car is already 15 years old, drives perfectly fine.

mitmaks

Rear main seal is on the LEFT side of the car (drivers side)

golfdawg

thanks for all the responses guys. It is at the dealer now for an oil change and tire rotation so I had them check it out so that I would know what it is. I will let you guys know what tjey say so I can get your thoughts for repairs.

golfdawg

so the dealer(from where I bought the car) tells me that the Valve cover seals are bad, Front seals are bad, trans. pan is bad and the strut cap and bearing assembly is bad. All told about $3k in repairs. Now I know that I bought a used car, however I have to say the dealer must have seen theses multiple leaks when they checked it out. THIS ****'s ME OFF TO NO END.........................what would some of you do. get rid of it or keep it. I own it, yet I can not see putting this kind of money into it.

BDSL

Get a second opinion.
See my advise above.....degrease the engine and check it yourself.

MikeLex

[QUOTE=golfdawg;7185701]so the dealer(from where I bought the car) tells me that the Valve cover seals are bad, Front seals are bad, trans. pan is bad and the strut cap and bearing assembly is bad. All told about $3k in repairs. Now I know that I bought a used car, however I have to say the dealer must have seen theses multiple leaks when they checked it out. THIS ****'s ME OFF TO NO END.........................what would some of you do. get rid of it or keep it. I own it, yet I can not see putting this kind of money into it.[/QUOTE

According to your description, you have a minor oil leak (as you said, sometimes it drips and sometimes it does not). So don't get too anxious and don't take the dealer's diagnosis too seriously. You most likely have a dried out rear valve cover gasket, a common issue that can be fixed for about $400 (front and rear). However, as BDSL said, get the engine degreased, give a day, and check it from underneath the car.

PFB

It's probably a good idea to put some UV dye in the oil. You'll be able to find the source of the leaks very easily that way.

Either way as others have said, the dealer may be exaggerating on the repairs reqiuired

golfdawg

thanks for all the advice. I have called my regular mechanic who is great. Told him what was found and he said to bring it to him. So I am going to do that on Sat. Besides that, here is what he told me. Valve Cover Gaskets, Front Seals, Trans. Pan $450 for all parts and labor. Maybe it does not need all this as stated earlier by one post. Either way this is better than the dealer(which we all know to be high) and makes me feel a little better. What really makes me mad is the the service tech advised the dealer of these issues and they did nothing. The manager stated to me that this sale was a value sale and some of these leaks were to be expected. I get that I bought a used car, but they knew and I sure did not expect someone with the Lexus name to be putting cars out like this for sale. Well the way I fix that is to never purchase a car from that dealer again. Can I post that name or will I be in trouble?

lodownlv

i just bought one with the same issues i did everything myself for less that a few hundred bux i even changed the spark plugs while i was at it a pain in the *** but well worth it because burnted oil smells like sh%%

JSM

Did he give you a quote for a Rear Main seal? That is not a fun job.