-Future-

Well I'm not much of a gear head (at all!) But I noticed in the summer that my oil ran extremely low, so I grabbed a couple of quarts and filled it back up. Today I was swapping some headlight bulbs and noticed some fluid (i think it's oil around the left part of my engine) So I checked my oil to be safe and I literally have a few drops on my dipstick! I attached a pic below of what seems to be oil was found, any ideas on what it could be? I'm not sure what that area is called on the engine or what part that is exactly...I know I should learn more!

As always, thank you!

tiger4life

iTrader: (16)

could be valve cover gaskets. i just had those changed and a leaking vvti gear changed during my last timing belt service.

-Future-

hmmm....i'll have to bring it in and find out. Any thoughts on the cost of that so I can make sure I'm not getting ripped off?

JeffTsai

iTrader: (1)

Most lexus dealers will charge $100 or so for a diagnostic. Private mechanic shops will be about half that, but just make sure they know what they're doing so they don't mess up your car.

tiger4life

iTrader: (16)

valve cover gasket labor was like 180 and vvti gear with labor was like 335.

entryspeed

iTrader: (3)

Looking at the pic thats not the valve cover gasket itself yet a drain tube that dumps oil from the heads back to the block from the looks of it (scratch that no its not). Im no expert either but you say you had to put quarts of oil in! How often do you change your oil? because to leak that much oil you certainly would have a puddle on the ground somewhere or you dont change your oil often enough. Just an observation good luck. On a second look that is right behind the water pump as well so it might not be the source of all your oil loss at all. Does your car smoke at all?

neojungle1

iTrader: (8)

cleaning that area going up til its clean then monitor that area on a bi day bases and see if you can see the area developing a wet spot(that what she said)

-Future-

Thanks guys for the tips! Ima clean it all up and see where it's coming from.

carbongs

iTrader: (13)

water pump/thermostat seal?