Slow oil leak from the bell-housing
#1
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Slow oil leak from the bell-housing
Hi everyone, newbie here.
I have a RX300 1999 Model, last few days i noticed a few oil droplets on the floor, nothing big, but after taking a closer look under. it seems to be coming from the bell housing, it seems to be a dark brown\gold color, so naturally i thought it was not gear oil. can someone please tell me what else it could be? maybe motor oil? and is it a costly repair?
Any help would be appreciated. love the car so much and hate to get rid of it. if i can't afford to repair.
I have a RX300 1999 Model, last few days i noticed a few oil droplets on the floor, nothing big, but after taking a closer look under. it seems to be coming from the bell housing, it seems to be a dark brown\gold color, so naturally i thought it was not gear oil. can someone please tell me what else it could be? maybe motor oil? and is it a costly repair?
Any help would be appreciated. love the car so much and hate to get rid of it. if i can't afford to repair.
Last edited by shammi5; 07-17-11 at 02:28 AM.
#2
Super Moderator
Welcome to the Club.
That sounds more like oil. What kind of smell does it have?
What kind of RX300 do you have, an AWD or FWD.
Any pictures you can add underneath, even if you don't catch where it is dripping many help, as sometimes I may see something odd or out of the ordinary.
Around that are, a main seal issue. If it were that, that would be somewhat of a costly repair as it would involve separating the tranny from the engine (I've got pictures of what that area looks like apart), take a look at this old thread of mine https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...went-bump.html
I'd also like to know what kind of oil, both brand and weight, you are running.
This isn't something to panic about at this point, and there are some options you could take for now that may thwart a future issue (certain additives, slightly thicker oil) if this is the issue, but it depends how far along that issue is.
That sounds more like oil. What kind of smell does it have?
What kind of RX300 do you have, an AWD or FWD.
Any pictures you can add underneath, even if you don't catch where it is dripping many help, as sometimes I may see something odd or out of the ordinary.
Around that are, a main seal issue. If it were that, that would be somewhat of a costly repair as it would involve separating the tranny from the engine (I've got pictures of what that area looks like apart), take a look at this old thread of mine https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...went-bump.html
I'd also like to know what kind of oil, both brand and weight, you are running.
This isn't something to panic about at this point, and there are some options you could take for now that may thwart a future issue (certain additives, slightly thicker oil) if this is the issue, but it depends how far along that issue is.
#3
Lexus Test Driver
If it is the rear main seal, I suggest running some Auto-RX through it.
I had a rear main seal leak for a month, it happened when I switched to Pennzoil Platinum (of course, it could be a coincidence) . It went away after a few hundred miles, by itself.
I had a rear main seal leak for a month, it happened when I switched to Pennzoil Platinum (of course, it could be a coincidence) . It went away after a few hundred miles, by itself.
#4
I agree with Hypervish. My brother has an '05 Toyota Hylander and he said it just started to have a drop or two of oil from the rear main (bellhousing) area. It is essentially the same as an RX 330. I told him to use Auto RX and within 2 days, it was totally dry, no more oil.
#5
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Thanks for the quick reply guys,
Its a AWD
i noticed one thing, after i cleaned it and left it for over a day without driving. it didn't leak, but the next day when i went to work and got back it started. seems to happen with a hot engin.
not sure about the oil, what should it be?
Its a AWD
i noticed one thing, after i cleaned it and left it for over a day without driving. it didn't leak, but the next day when i went to work and got back it started. seems to happen with a hot engin.
not sure about the oil, what should it be?
#7
Thanks for the quick reply guys,
Its a AWD
i noticed one thing, after i cleaned it and left it for over a day without driving. it didn't leak, but the next day when i went to work and got back it started. seems to happen with a hot engin.
not sure about the oil, what should it be?
Its a AWD
i noticed one thing, after i cleaned it and left it for over a day without driving. it didn't leak, but the next day when i went to work and got back it started. seems to happen with a hot engin.
not sure about the oil, what should it be?
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#8
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Transfer case seems to be ok, nothing around it.. the smell is different to the Motor oil, it didn't have much of a smell, but the motor oil i got off the dipstick had a much stronger smell.
so then the Auto RX is my best bet for a start?
Thanks for the replies
sorry about the image size.
so then the Auto RX is my best bet for a start?
Thanks for the replies
sorry about the image size.
#11
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#13
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#15
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I've experimented also with Pennzoil Ultra 5W30 (their Platinum 5W30 is very good, too).
The 0W30 I like because I find it smoother, quieter, better on start ups. I am actually experimenting with a Lucas 0W30 right now to get some impressions with it. Not sure what I am going to run next.