Notices
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

catastrophic engine oil leak video - LS400 '90

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 22, 2019 | 05:52 PM
  #1  
kLS400's Avatar
kLS400
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: WI
Default catastrophic engine oil leak video - LS400 '90


Anyone care to take a guess of the leaks cause? I'm about to find out soon, but wow this is crazy how sudden this car went from a quart every other month to a quart gone in 10 miles or less.
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2019 | 07:01 PM
  #2  
oldskewel's Avatar
oldskewel
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 180
From: California
Default

Oil filter housing?

It should be easy to find. I would just hose it clean and then see if it leaks before you even run the engine. Then run the engine just for a few seconds, stop the engine and look carefully for the source. At that leak rate it should be easy to spot.
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2019 | 07:09 PM
  #3  
RA40's Avatar
RA40
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 20,895
Likes: 490
From: California
Default

That's painful to watch.
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2019 | 07:13 PM
  #4  
bradland's Avatar
bradland
CL Community Team
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,680
Likes: 820
From: 565 St Peter NOLA
Default

It's coming from somewhere above the AC Compressor. You can see it run down the Compressor housing then drip straight down. The drivers side cam is directly above the AC Compressor. Cam seal or really bad valve cover leak...?
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2019 | 06:39 AM
  #5  
jaaa's Avatar
jaaa
Lead Lap
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 707
Likes: 61
From: Colorado
Default

Originally Posted by bradland
It's coming from somewhere above the AC Compressor. You can see it run down the Compressor housing then drip straight down. The drivers side cam is directly above the AC Compressor. Cam seal or really bad valve cover leak...?
Ever heard of gravity? It's definitely above where the poster is shooting the video!
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2019 | 07:43 AM
  #6  
213374U's Avatar
213374U
Lexus Test Driver
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 946
Likes: 139
From: TX
Default

Left hand (driver's side) cam seal or valve cover gasket as already mentioned. They're the only 2 seals would result in drips there.

I would plan to go ahead and do timing belt and tensioner, both cam seals, crank seal, valve cover gaskets, and all 8 spark plug tube seals while you're in there. No point in doing all the work to get to one cam seal and not replace the rest given the low cost of those parts.
​​​​​
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2019 | 10:04 AM
  #7  
oldskewel's Avatar
oldskewel
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 180
From: California
Default

Originally Posted by 213374U
Left hand (driver's side) cam seal or valve cover gasket as already mentioned. They're the only 2 seals would result in drips there.

I would plan to go ahead and do timing belt and tensioner, both cam seals, crank seal, valve cover gaskets, and all 8 spark plug tube seals while you're in there. No point in doing all the work to get to one cam seal and not replace the rest given the low cost of those parts.
​​​​​
And at the very least inspect the timing belt. If it got bathed in oil, then definitely replace the belt at a minimum.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2019 | 02:40 PM
  #8  
213374U's Avatar
213374U
Lexus Test Driver
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 946
Likes: 139
From: TX
Default

Originally Posted by 213374U

I would plan to go ahead and do timing belt...
​​​​​


Don't even bother "checking it", just swap it with everything else so you know it was all done at the same time. These parts are too cheap, and your time too valuable, not to.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kirby747
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
1
Jun 24, 2014 01:28 PM
FatBrian81
SC - 1st Gen (1992-2000)
2
Jul 30, 2011 07:44 PM
k7q
SC - 1st Gen (1992-2000)
1
Aug 19, 2010 11:30 PM
kmn5
SC - 1st Gen (1992-2000)
4
Jun 25, 2002 02:00 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:06 PM.