My 1990 Lexus Ls400 has pw steering leaks and oil leaks, my mechanic told me that is so dirty he can't see where the leak is coming from so I need to clean the bottom of the engine ...How can I do this safely without ruining the car?

 

Take off the lower under engine cover, (if you still have it) spray some STP engine cleaner (I use the foaming) on the oily places being careful not to spray in any electrical connectors, use an old toothbrush, or wire brush depending on how thick the grime is, and then spray it with water, again being careful of the electrical connectors. He should be able to see about where it's leaking by where the oil stops towards the top. Wherever it stops, there's your leak(s). I would guess the ACV on the power steering pump, the valve cover gaskets, and the oil pan. Hopefully for you it's not the upper oil pan gasket, b/c the engine needs to come out to change that.

 

get a new mechanic, you know, one that is actually willing to WORK for you?
check the regional forums (cali has southern and northern forums lol) to find reputable shops near you.

 

It's easier if the engine is warm. So, when you get home from work, spray the whole thing down with Simple Green or similar - from above and below - then close then hood and let it simmer for a while. Then, rinse with a garden hose.

 

id do it at a coin op car wash, all that grease in ur driveway is gonna suck.

 

+1 on the new mechanic and the coin car wash.

 

Being a tech, I can relate to why he would want to get a clean slate to see where the fresh oil is coming from. If it has been leaking for a long time, and has saturated the area, it can be hard to give you an exact answer especially because you have to factor in gravity and wind from driving the car, which all has an effect on what someone might see. Usually it isn't too difficult to be able to trace an obvious leak, but I assume he doesn't want to fix a leak and have another one be present.

 

I had the same problem and my mechanic told me to get some Lucas stop leak one for the steering fluid and one for the transmission which I did about $20.00 at NAPA it no only stops the leaks but lubricates everything at the same time.

 

Does he think its leaking because its grimey, or because your oil level is dropping? Mine has oil all over the bottom half of the engine, but the level on the dipstick never changes, so I ignore it. at most, im down maybe 1/2 quart every 5k change.

Have your mech check the rear main seal too.

 

Welcome to Club Lexus.

One warning, be very careful about spraying and rinsing the engine bay off. On a '90 that has seen plenty of heat cycling and age, getting water into the hardening rubber/cracking plastic may be the beginnings PITA's to come. The underside is reasonably isolated from wires but you still need to be careful what you will be washing off. Topside, spray the cleaner on a rag and wipe the dirty spots. Water mixed with oil/grime in the crevices is not going to evaporate when the engine it hot, these leave gooey messes that will forever remain.