What did you do to your SC today?
#5506
Lead Lap
iTrader: (8)
The part I messed up on was trying to remove the cam gears after the timing belt was off. I made the cam move while I was trying to break torque. Removing the cam gear bolt is definitely a 2 person job.
#5509
99 SC300 w/VVT-I Gear
My car was a combination of vvt-i gear and valve cover gasket, but most of the oil leaking on my car was the vvt-i gear. The vvt-i gear is the biggest problem on 98+ SC300 because they start to go bad around 120-150k miles. It basically leaks oil and spits it everywhere on the engine while its running.
My valve cover gasket was leaking too, but that was negligible. If your valve cover is leaking there will be oil in the spark plug valley which will eventually damage the boots on the spark plug coil packs if left for a long time.
To give you an idea of how much of a mess vvt-i can cause: My water pump and serpentine belt tensioner were brand new about 10k miles ago. The frame rail and my shock tower used to be white too. If you look on the upper radiator hose it has an area with oil that lands on it.
With the cover removed you can see oil just sits inside on the level surfaces.
Without looking at your car in person I would guess its just your vvt-i gear causing a mess. A leaking head gasket would cause the car to run really funny and eventually there will be signs of oil on your coolant.
My valve cover gasket was leaking too, but that was negligible. If your valve cover is leaking there will be oil in the spark plug valley which will eventually damage the boots on the spark plug coil packs if left for a long time.
To give you an idea of how much of a mess vvt-i can cause: My water pump and serpentine belt tensioner were brand new about 10k miles ago. The frame rail and my shock tower used to be white too. If you look on the upper radiator hose it has an area with oil that lands on it.
With the cover removed you can see oil just sits inside on the level surfaces.
Without looking at your car in person I would guess its just your vvt-i gear causing a mess. A leaking head gasket would cause the car to run really funny and eventually there will be signs of oil on your coolant.
Thanks for the post
#5510
Pole Position
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: california
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It took me 2 days, but a lot of that time was spent under the car with degreaser, rags, and multiple toothbrushes to clean off the grime. If I needed the car back on the road asap, then I could take it a part and reassemble in 1 day. It's basically just a timing belt job with a few more (tiring) steps.
The part I messed up on was trying to remove the cam gears after the timing belt was off. I made the cam move while I was trying to break torque. Removing the cam gear bolt is definitely a 2 person job.
The part I messed up on was trying to remove the cam gears after the timing belt was off. I made the cam move while I was trying to break torque. Removing the cam gear bolt is definitely a 2 person job.
#5511
No, I don't hear any gurgling/bubbling noises when first starting up.
#5514
Lead Lap
iTrader: (8)
Bleeding the cooling system is fairly easy, so I would suggest doing it to see if the problem goes away.
#5515
Pole Position
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: california
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm glad I could help. I actually bought the vvt-i gear from a vendor on amazon for a lot cheaper than the dealership was asking, so if you're interested in replacing it soon I would suggest looking up the part number on amazon.
Nope, no gurgling sound. I just have some slight chatter from the valves, but that should get quieter with a valve adjustment.
Bleeding the cooling system is fairly easy, so I would suggest doing it to see if the problem goes away.
Nope, no gurgling sound. I just have some slight chatter from the valves, but that should get quieter with a valve adjustment.
Bleeding the cooling system is fairly easy, so I would suggest doing it to see if the problem goes away.
#5517
Driver
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Lost Angeles,Ca
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
vacuuming your rubbers is something!
you actually just reminded me to do that to a set i have in the garage!
so you did more than you kno with this post! thank you!
#5519
Driver
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Lost Angeles,Ca
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Had a bad led brake light on the spoiler so I swapped that out! (safety of course )
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Both are OEM w/ toyota labeled on the plastic housing. yet much different in lighting.
I don't know why the before LED lights were so bright, but I didn't like the fact it looked cheap like aftermarket tail light LED cheezy.
The much subtle ones I feel match the tailights much better. (full across the board, camera phone made it looks gapped but its all there)
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Both are OEM w/ toyota labeled on the plastic housing. yet much different in lighting.
I don't know why the before LED lights were so bright, but I didn't like the fact it looked cheap like aftermarket tail light LED cheezy.
The much subtle ones I feel match the tailights much better. (full across the board, camera phone made it looks gapped but its all there)
Last edited by MackOnDeez; 07-19-15 at 04:34 AM.
#5520