Oil leak? P-S leak? Help!!!
10-05-12, 06:29 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Oil leak? P-S leak? Help!!!
I have a huge leak on my car, when driven for 45+ miles I can smell the fluid burning. I also know that I have a P-S leak since I can see it. However...last time I changed the oil after bout 3k miles I realized that I was bout a quart low. When I get underneath the car it's a big mess. There's fluid from the crank pulley all the way to the oil tank. Wht do you guys think it is?
10-05-12, 09:16 AM
#3
ive been chasing down one oil leak after another for awhile.
Its basically impossible to tell where its coming from when its everywhere like that.
Valve covers, cam seals, oil pan, oil pressure sensor... the list of possibilities is endless.
valve covers is really the only obvious one sense its at the top of the engine.
I suggest having a shop add oil dye then 50ish miles later take it back and have them look with a uv light to see where its coming from.
Its basically impossible to tell where its coming from when its everywhere like that.
Valve covers, cam seals, oil pan, oil pressure sensor... the list of possibilities is endless.
valve covers is really the only obvious one sense its at the top of the engine.
I suggest having a shop add oil dye then 50ish miles later take it back and have them look with a uv light to see where its coming from.
10-05-12, 10:25 AM
#4
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Took it to a shop and found out that is the front main seal. The oil is coming out from the front of the motor (underneath the engine) straight down the middle towards the back. I guess this motor has never been touched before. I'm just gonna change the seals, water pump and timing belt while I'm at it. Is there a tutorial on how to change the main seal? Thanks
10-08-12, 04:24 PM
#7
The internet won't bite. Promise. Here is a DIY on another Lexus forum. You have to be a member to see the pdf though.
http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...howtopic=62856
http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...howtopic=62856
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10-08-12, 04:51 PM
#8
Lexus Champion
I'm just gonna change the seals, water pump and timing belt while I'm at it. Is there a tutorial on how to change the main seal?
if not, I would carefully consider my skill set before doing one, as you can wreck your engine if you don't have very good attention to detail and follow the factory service manual instructions to the letter! - do you own the manual pictured below?
the "shade tree" mechanics should stick with alternators, spark plugs, etc (not judging anyone's particular's skills here, just sayin!)
the reason I wrote this, is because you asked about how to do the front main seal, and anyone who has ever done a timing belt knows that is essentially the same job
Last edited by LScowboyLS; 10-08-12 at 05:03 PM.
10-08-12, 05:02 PM
#9
What's the mileage on the car?
A front main leak that bad is often a sign of another issue. Change your PCV valves and make sure the hoses from them to the IM are clear of buildup and not collapsing. A clogged/collapsed PCV system can pressurize the crank case and force oil past the seals... Front and rear mains are often places this can be found.
Also, I've seen lots of other cars where there is major scoring on the seal surface where the front and/or rear main seal rides on the crank. If you run your fingernail along the spot where the seal rides the crank and you can feel any sort of catch from a high or a low spot, putting a new seal in will only temporarily fix the problem.
Oh and get yourself a bottle of whiteout when doing your timing belt. A few strategic marks on the pullies and engine in obvious and easy to align spots will make simple work of the job once you have your engine setup before removing the belt.
A front main leak that bad is often a sign of another issue. Change your PCV valves and make sure the hoses from them to the IM are clear of buildup and not collapsing. A clogged/collapsed PCV system can pressurize the crank case and force oil past the seals... Front and rear mains are often places this can be found.
Also, I've seen lots of other cars where there is major scoring on the seal surface where the front and/or rear main seal rides on the crank. If you run your fingernail along the spot where the seal rides the crank and you can feel any sort of catch from a high or a low spot, putting a new seal in will only temporarily fix the problem.
Oh and get yourself a bottle of whiteout when doing your timing belt. A few strategic marks on the pullies and engine in obvious and easy to align spots will make simple work of the job once you have your engine setup before removing the belt.
10-09-12, 03:20 PM
#10
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Im not gonna do the job my self. a friend of mine is gonna do it, hes a mechanic. the car has 175k miles on it...however, that might not be the real mileage. who knows!!
10-09-12, 03:22 PM
#11
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
is there any reliable mechanics in palm beach-broward county (florida)? I know there is one in miami, but i am not driving 2 hours away to drop a car off and than drive 2 hours back to my house. (this in case my friend cannot do the job due to time)
10-09-12, 04:55 PM
#12
Try joining Angies List. They post independent reviews of mechanics for your area.
http://www.angieslist.com/
10-11-12, 07:43 PM
#14
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
ok, my friend cant do the job since his schedule does not allow him to. However he pointed me to the next door mechanic who has a good reputation. I went to see him and he quoted me about $535 for timing belt, water pump, and front seal, with labor since he knows my boy who recommended me. What do you guys think?
By the way he had 2 LS400 parked on the lot and he had just gotten done working on them (one of them was water pump and timing belt)
By the way he had 2 LS400 parked on the lot and he had just gotten done working on them (one of them was water pump and timing belt)
10-11-12, 07:46 PM
#15
ok, my friend cant do the job since his schedule does not allow him to. However he pointed me to the next door mechanic who has a good reputation. I went to see him and he quoted me about $535 for timing belt, water pump, and front seal, with labor since he knows my boy who recommended me. What do you guys think?
By the way he had 2 LS400 parked on the lot and he had just gotten done working on them (one of them was water pump and timing belt)
By the way he had 2 LS400 parked on the lot and he had just gotten done working on them (one of them was water pump and timing belt)
