When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Thanks for the info! Never knew that was an issue with our cars but I guess most people aren't as lucky to have the 98+ SCs. So...how long did it take to do the repair?
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.
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.
I have a 99 SC300 w/VVT-I Gear and see oil leaking around the front cover. Also, I see oil splattered on a few other areas. So, now I know what I need to get fixed.
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.
Originally Posted by Gee44
I have a 99 SC300 w/VVT-I Gear and see oil leaking around the front cover. Also, I see oil splattered on a few other areas. So, now I know what I need to get fixed.
Thanks for the post
Do either of you hear faint gurgling/bubbling from the front sometimes when first starting the engine? I'm wondering if it's related or if I just have air in my coolant. I don't think I have a BHG because the car runs fine.
Do either of you hear faint gurgling/bubbling from the front sometimes when first starting the engine? I'm wondering if it's related or if I just have air in my coolant. I don't think I have a BHG because the car runs fine.
No, I don't hear any gurgling/bubbling noises when first starting up.
I have a 99 SC300 w/VVT-I Gear and see oil leaking around the front cover. Also, I see oil splattered on a few other areas. So, now I know what I need to get fixed.
Thanks for the post
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.
Originally Posted by jennie
Do either of you hear faint gurgling/bubbling from the front sometimes when first starting the engine? I'm wondering if it's related or if I just have air in my coolant. I don't think I have a BHG because the car runs fine.
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.
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.
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)
07-15-15, 09:31 PM
So, now I know what I need to get fixed. 
at the "nothing" comment...
)
