Timing belt tensioner leaking oil
#1
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Timing belt tensioner leaking oil
Six months ago I replaced my rear valve cover gasket due to an oil leak. It solved the problem and those annoying oil stains on my driveway were gone. However, my timing belt tensioner never got dried and still looks like kind of soaked in oil (not dripping yet). Any idea where this oil may be coming from? Could it be from the tensioner itself? If so, how hard is to replace it? The point here is that I wouldn't like to tackle a full timing belt job on a such a low mileage car unless it is strictly necessary. Any advice would be appreciated.
#2
The tensioner itself is very easy to change. You just take the passenger tire off and unbolt old, install new and pull the pin.
However, your leak could be coming from a cam seal or crank seal. Different story (and much harder) changing those items.
However, your leak could be coming from a cam seal or crank seal. Different story (and much harder) changing those items.
#3
Lexus Fanatic
There is not much oil in the tensioner, and if it did leak all the fluid out, then the belt will flop around and probably skip around or even fall off. A few pics would be helpful.
#4
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
I had the exact same problem on my car. I thought the oil was coming from my poorly done rear valve cover job or the power steering pump. I wasn't sure until I did my timing belt. It ended up being a bad camshaft seal. Both of them were dry and leaking oil. The crankshaft/oil pump seal was still good, but we replaced it too.
p.s.: my rear valve cover turned out to be just fine
p.s.: my rear valve cover turned out to be just fine
Last edited by Hayk; 07-09-12 at 01:14 PM.
#5
Lexus Test Driver
The problem is that you have to make sure the belt doesn't skip a tooth. And the only way to know is to remove the timing belt covers (top and bottom)....so it does take some time.
#6
If the timing belt has skipped by even one tooth, the engine will be running poorly. You will know w/o an inspection.
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#9
Lexus Test Driver
You made it sound like replacing the tensioner is very easy. In fact, the tensioner is very easy to replace. But as soon as you release the tension on the belt, the belt is very likely to slip a tooth. I have replaced timing belt a few times on my ES300. As soon as the tensioner is almost loosen, the belt slips off the mark.
Last edited by BDSL; 07-09-12 at 06:01 PM.
#10
You made it sound like replacing the tensioner is very easy. In fact, the tensioner is very easy to replace. But as soon as you release the tension on the belt, the belt is very likely to slip a tooth. I have replaced timing belt a few times on my ES300. As soon as the tensioner is almost loosen, the belt slips off the mark.
#11
Lexus Fanatic
Really? I just did it on my '92 and it did not slip at all. I have also done it on my '98 LS400 and no slip there either. In fact, even with the tensioner removed, you have to really work at it to get the belt to move off of the gears. In my experience, the belt teeth are still very well meshed with the crankshaft and both cam gears even with the tensioner removed.
#12
Lexus Test Driver
You will also have to remove the bottom cover to verify the belt didn't slip on the crank sprocket....which is more work.
#13
Lexus Fanatic
#14
Lexus Test Driver
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