richfung

I have a leak in my 93 LS400 (187K).
Can anyone help me identify this leak?
It is coming right below the big pulley 3 inches above the oil pan seal. I don't know when it start since I park on street.
I saw it this week when I do my oil change ( every 6 months 5000 miles)
I cleaned it up mostly and then start the car on jack stand. After 30 seconds, oil start leaking out from the bottom of the black box behind the big pulley and the block ( see rad circle in pictures)
Can it be fix?
Please Help!

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

looks like the crank seal to me aka front main seal. it is fixable but it takes the removal of the timing belt to get to it. at that mileage, you'll need to replace the timing belt anyway (every 90k) so get the seal changed when doing so. it's also a good idea to change your camshaft seals as well.
http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/engine/timingbelt.html

the seal i've mentioned is behind that crankshaft sprocket.

ls400geek

definitely change the camshaft seals when you're in there -- i agree (in fact they might already be leaking?)

That does look like a crankshaft seal leak.

Basically get the timing belt, water pump, crankshaft seal and both camshaft seals replaced. And probably both the idler and tension pulleys as well (if the bearings feel rough that is.. spin them around ur fingers.) Check the drive belt pulleys by hand as well when doing this job. I paid $2300 for all of this from a dealership--but that was because it was a 98 (camshaft seals are a 10 hour complicated job on the 98 versus a simple minutes job on the older models.)

For the work you need done a dealership would charge probably around $1200.. you can get it done for almost half that from a more affordable shop.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

could be either a crank seal or cam seals, or even a leaky valve cover gasket.

richfung

Thanks a lot.
This is way beyond I imagine.
I am not sure if I can handle it. I have only change oil, battery and spark plug before.
I don't have the tools to fix it. Can they be rent?
I also found the power steering leak too.......

Any way to slow it down so I can save some money to get it fix?

waterdog3

It really isn't that hard. Mine had 197,xxx miles on the original T-belt. I wasn't going to change it but the crank seal started leaking. Leaking bad enough that the car was undriveable. I managed to do it with basically the same amount of car knowledge as you. The belt amazingly looked fine. The seals were easy too.

richfung

Thanks for the suggestions.
I've been busy and not take care of the issue.
I checked yesterday and found surprisingly that the oil level was not much lower.
I pay attention more today and saw it leaks while warming up. Then it seems to slow down to almost stop leaking after 10 minutes ( car just sitting in idle since started)
Does it mean anything?
Some friend suggest to use 10W40 instead of 5W30, will it help?

YoshiMan

Changing oil viscocities won't do you much good. Although it may slow leaks down, ultimately a seal of some sort is bad and needs to be replaced. I would stick with the 5W-30, as it's the recommended oil for the engine from the Toyota engineers themselves. The 1UZFE has some pretty tight clearances compared to engines from the time and it needs the thinner oil for that exact reason.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

10w30 is fine provided it doesnt get overly cold where you are. but it's more like putting a bandaid over an infection and hoping it doesn't get worse rather than fixing it/getting cured.

sam12345

iTrader: (1)

Eventually the oil will get on the timing belt and ruin it. Have a tow truck number handy for when that belt goes. Do not take it on long trips