KC98LS

I started my 98 LS400 today, and let it warm up for a minute or so. When I walked up to the car, I noticed a faint burning oil smell. Later I got in the car, and started the engine, and noticed the same thing. This is oddly the first I've ever noticed this.


I believe the valve cover gaskets were replaced in 2006, about how long do they tend to last?

Also for what it's worth, I don't notice any oil leaking, but I'll have to look again in the day time.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

YEP, my 99 is the same, Lexus said VC gaskets slightly seeping on the manifolds and burning, not hitting floor, but that will come........ and to let them fix it I would have to sell the car to pay the bill,, they "gave me the 45 point checkup when they cut & flashed my new key...

Legender

Yep...same thing on my 4runner... smell and can see the oil on the side of the block but never drips. Costs about as much to fix on the 4runner as it does on the Lexus...of course the 4runner has almost 188k now with original gaskets.. so, probably to be expected.

BWLS400

Same here. Not hitting the ground, but it's only a matter of time before it does. Mine has 248k on the clock, so i'd say it's time. A reputable shop quoted me $350 to have the VC's replaced and valves checked. More than likely, i'll have it done this spring.

KC98LS

Good to know. It doesn't seem like replacing the valve cover gasket's would be that hard, is it?


I need the timing belt service done at 180,000~ miles anyway, so I might as well have my mechanic do the VC as well.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

yes, that would be a good time..........

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

If they were changed in 2006 they should still be good. Sometimes the bolts just loosen up and if you snug them back up everything might be good.

SHOoff11

So how hard it is to do VCG on these?

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

Oh not hard at all, it is getting to them that is the trouble..
the gaskets are simple SEE BELOW

SHOoff11

I'm going to try to tackle this myself one weekend, I've done them on past cars, hopefully this one won't be too bad.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

it is really not hard and no tricks to watch out for EXCEPT the plastic nipples that have hoses on them and the plug-ins look it all over, take some photos for reference in case you get mixed up.
take your time, lay your items in line as you take them off
what else can I say??

SHOoff11

Doesn't sound any worse than the SHO I did gaskets on, thanks for the tip of the pictures, I'll be sure to take pics and label hoses.

randal

It is not real hard but not a simple job either. You will find lots of plastic covers, tubes and connectors in your way. Then of course, the spark plugs are "deep well" so you have these seal tubes in the valve cover that you should replace while in there.

I would seriously take sha4000's advice and just snug up the VC bolts first. They do tend to loosen over time. Now that IS a very simple fix.

SHOoff11

I'll give snugging the bolts a try tomorrow and report back, thanks for the input everyone.

MngreLMatt

Be VERY careful when snugging the bolts back down as they have a very minimal torque rating and I would imagine that they are really easy to strip out. I don't remember exactly what they are but I know it's in the lower in-lbs range.

Please take caution. For what it's worth, the ones back towards the firewall seem to loosen over time.

Hope this helps,


Matt