Jmlee44

I'm going through the service history on my new-to-me 08 Es350. The rear VVTi oil line was replaced by Lexus in 2010 as part of their service campaign. Apparently on these models they went from a rubber line to a thicker rubber line as the fix.
Many forum users for other Lexus and Toyota models are personally upgrading this line to the all metal version available for later year models.

Has anyone experienced a subsequent failure with the "thicker" rubber line? I had the tires off checking the brakes, and noticed some engine oil running down on the power steering pump (or maybe from behind it) - so now I am concerned this may be a precursor to a hose blowout. It isn't dripping on the driveway, but there is definitely oil there. I'm pretty handy, actually I'm about to tackle the water pump as it has some play in it - wondering if it is worth doing the oil line while I have everything disassembled.

Thoughts?

Thanks
J

jkayca

I don't think I've heard anyone complain after the VVTI oil line upgrade. Are you sure it's engine oil and not PS fluid?

Jmlee44

It is mixed with dirt so it is hard to be absolutely sure, but it smells like engine oil, these cars use ATF as PS fluid and that does have a fairly specific smell. With all the wind and swirling from that area, who knows where it originally came from, but it looks like it is above the PS pump and then running down.

Oh well, we can discuss this all day - but I won't feel sure about it until I take the cover off and look. I was just hoping for some owner's input as to that replacement rubber...

Thanks!

ESh

That could be the timing chain cover leak.

chuyrobles

I second the timing chain cover. It is a known problem. Some leak more than others. It's an expensive fix as the engine has to come out. I started using 10/30 oil at about 100K and that helped a lot. Avoid using stop-leak additives if you can. The VVTI lines will not really leak; they are under pressure and oil shoots out and quickly makes a mess of things. Also, the oil line is close to the engine and pretty much avoids dripping down the PS pump.