cl206

Hi everyone! My 2007 es350 definitely has a oil leak of some kind. I am not positive yet if it is engine oil but will do a dye test tomorrow.

Basically the silver/aluminum part right behind the passenger side pulley that is most visible (is that the crank pulley?) is covered with oil. Not a lot but there is definitely some kind of leak. What is that silver/aluminum part and any ideas? I will post an update once I get going on the dye test.

I read that it might be the timing cover oil leak. What exactly is that? Does that mean it is leaking from the front crank seal? Ive done a timing belt with all the cam and crank seals on a 2000 accord so if that is what it is, I can probably tackle this job.

Thanks!
-Charlie

chuyrobles

Have you replaced the vvt-i oil line? A recall covers the replacement. Ours got a pinhole and made a mess of the engine bay.

The timing cover oil leak is not on the crank seal (although it could be on yours), but I'm not sure where exactly oil breaks through. Our ES350 has the timing cover leak, but it is more of a seepage and the oil level has never registered low, even with 10k oil changes. Our leak runs down the block and down the PS pump. I wipe what I can reach every oil change. I noticed the leak/seepage after the warranty ran out; so, I've had to deal with it. The only change I made was go to 10/30 oil. It significantly reduced the seepage and wife never noticed a reduction in fuel consumption.

Another thing it can be is PS fluid. The OEM fluid is clear and gets dark with age, resembling motor oil. When I replaced ours, I had to replace the return line on the reservoir inlet as the hose was brittle and not far from cracking, which would have sprayed fluid in that area. I still need to replace the reservoir outlet return line at that hose has also hardened but at least it has a sleeve as a heat shield. I'll replace it at next PS flush.

cl206

chuyrobles

I'm in San Diego area. Mid 90's this week; went through triple digits on/off the past 30 days.

How does the bottomside look like? If your warranty is out and oil is not dripping to the floor, you may just have to live with it. A timing cover gasket replacement is a big job. If you find the source of the leak you can probably glue it shut with high temp silicone - some Tacoma owners have done that successfully (05-06 V6 models have a leaking timing cover.)

cl206

Okay it is definitely engine oil. I put the dye in today and drove only about 20 miles and at night decided to check it out. I was under the car, I was also at the passenger side well (after removing tire) and all I can see with the UV light is some random splatter of dye. I just cannot for the life of me find the source.

Also I was mistaken about the pulley. It is NOT the crank pulley. It is actually the one you can see to the left of it. All the pulleys and belts look oil free, so that is good.

I think Ill wait until the weekend to check it out again. It really isn't that much but after a while it does drip a small amount onto the ground. Ive checked the oil level and it is fine. If I can't find the source of the leak, I might just wipe it once or twice a month and live with it because it is way out of warranty.

chuyrobles

That would be the power steering pump. That's where mine leaks down through also, but sounds like you have a larger leak. I'm going to be replacing my water pump within 2-3 weeks; maybe I can get a better look at the source of the leak when I remove the water pump.

igzy

The timing cover is known to leak at the area where head meets the block. Mine was fixed there under warranty a long time ago...

cl206

Yes please keep me posted.

Igzy, if it is the timing cover leak, can you see the leak from the top? This weekend will probably remove come of the covers under the hood to see if I can get a better view of any dye traces.

igzy

The leak is typically at the bank 1 side close to the firewall. It can be seen from the top with engine covers and strut bar off, if you shine the light and look with a mirror between the strut tower and close to the cyl #1. It is a real pain to see it as it is in a really tight spot. Here is the exact spot:



The oil then drips across the side and down over the engine mount (under the crank pulley)

cl206

Thanks for the picture. We put about 100 miles and there really isn't that much of a leak. There is no oil by the crank pulley nor engine mount so hopefully I don't have that leak. I guess Ill just monitor it and wipe everyone once in a while.

123go

By avoiding your urge to buy low cost oil can prevent some leaks. Detergents used in some maybe, idk why but some oils actually do cause leaks.
I have to wonder if whats in certain brands of oils is what started those decades old rumours about switching over from dino to full syn caused oil leaks? I called that bs for yrs but not today.
A couple yrs ago I ran across the 5qt jugs of Harvest King full syn oil our local Rural King farm stores sell real cheap. For only $10 each heck I bought several jugs, (3) different grades.
Within weeks of changing oil in both our vehicles their valve cover gaskets began leaking like mad, neither ever leaked before.
I immediatly drained that crap oil out and put Mobil1 back in. Our Infiniti stopped leaking right away after but my Tundra never did stop, it only slowed.
I had to change the VC gaskets on it.
I used it in my Wheel Horse garden tractor cause its Kohler has old cork/paper gaskets & it never leaked. However it did burn almost a quart of oil over summer so for the first time since buying it over 30yrs ago I had to add oil to it. I changed it back to Mobil1 and this season was like normal again & never burned a drop.
Lesson learned those bargains can sure cost you, I really got lucky it wasnt an oil pan leak instead. I no longer look for bargain oils, its Mobil1 or Amsoil for me.

Abrar

Just for my information , since the timing cover leak is so common with 2GE-FE engines , how common is it ?

Will it be fair to say that all 2GR-FE engines in service will eventually get the leak ?

are there examples who have high mileage and still no front timing cover leak ?

is the prevalence more than 60% ?

Wanted opinions from members.

sthpawil

My 2010 has just over 240k miles on it. No timing cover leak, nor any other leaks for that matter. Have always used Mobil1 oil.

Abrar

good to know , did you get the vehicle new ?

tolian21

I would use high milage oil, you never know, it might stop or slow the tinny leak…