Oil leak from front of engine 1998 LS400
#1
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Oil leak from front of engine 1998 LS400
1998 lexus ls400
195k miles
Over the last year or so ive noticed oil on the front of my motor. Only recently has it started to drip onto the driveway. Maybe a quarter size drop if left parked for a few days. Im just having difficulty pinpointing exactly what is causing the leak. Attached are a few photos. Initially i thought it might be my valve cover gasket on drivers side. But i dont see any visible leaks. Albeit i cant see the back side of the valve cover to well.
Thanks
195k miles
Over the last year or so ive noticed oil on the front of my motor. Only recently has it started to drip onto the driveway. Maybe a quarter size drop if left parked for a few days. Im just having difficulty pinpointing exactly what is causing the leak. Attached are a few photos. Initially i thought it might be my valve cover gasket on drivers side. But i dont see any visible leaks. Albeit i cant see the back side of the valve cover to well.
Thanks
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saleenssc (03-16-19)
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sha4000 (03-18-19)
#4
#5
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Timing belt and waterpump were done at 155k about 3 years ago. Valve cover on passside was done about 2 years ago. Drivers side valve cover gasket has never been replaced. I cant recall if the cam seals were replaced at last timing belt replacement. Will have to check receipts. Really hoping its not the cam seal. My leak seems to be starting high up on the motor. Everytime i degrease that area the leak seems to be starting high up on the motor.
#7
Racer
Scotty Kilmer swears this stuff works.Might check out his videos.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NVW1LM?pf_rd_p=1cac67ce-697a-47be-b2f5-9ae91aab54f2&pf_rd_r=BBH2GCAM8Z52B956DKY2
ATP AT-205 Re-Seal Stops Leaks, 8 Ounce Bottle
byProfessional strength fast acting resealer, stops leaks fast
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- 8oz bottle will treat a 6 quart capacity, adjust accordingly
Last edited by spuds; 03-18-19 at 10:10 AM.
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saleenssc (03-18-19)
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#8
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Timing belt and waterpump were done at 155k about 3 years ago. Valve cover on passside was done about 2 years ago. Drivers side valve cover gasket has never been replaced. I cant recall if the cam seals were replaced at last timing belt replacement. Will have to check receipts. Really hoping its not the cam seal. My leak seems to be starting high up on the motor. Everytime i degrease that area the leak seems to be starting high up on the motor.
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saleenssc (03-18-19)
#10
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
like I said.... the CAM seals are VERY HARD::
check this out: https://us.lexusownersclub.com/forum...98-with-vvt-i/
check this out: https://us.lexusownersclub.com/forum...98-with-vvt-i/
#11
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
i only have 3 years and about 35k miles on my current timing belt and WP. Looks like i may need to try a stop leak additive and hope it helps to either stop or reduce the amount of leaking. Anyone have any luck using the stop leak products? the at-205 seems to have pretty good reviews
#12
Advanced
I do not like cars leaking on my black top driveway. Our 98 RAV4 started leaking a few years ago when it was first started in the morning. I placed a nice black pan under it and nursed it along for a year. It got worse over time and eventually I spoke to Toyota about it. The service tech knew exactly what was causing it and I made an appointment and let them fix it. I have developed a great relationship with that dealership (Madison, IN) and have used them many times since then for bigger repairs. If it is not that bad, I would just monitor it while you figure out where it is coming from. You can use dye to find leaks also. I don't know that I would use stop leak in this engine. Maybe high mileage oil would help.
#13
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
[QUOTE=Fit1too;10469664. I don't know that I would use stop leak in this engine. Maybe high mileage oil would help.[/QUOTE]
In my mind, I would not make that statement.... I know I would NOT use a stop leak UNLESS, IF it didnt stop it I knew I would replace the LS....
Understand me, a car is something I use... period.
I bought one 94 LS, loved it, so I bought 2 95LS's (me & wife), then 2 96 :LS's, then 2 97 LS's AND then 5 99 LS's, until I had 2 GREAT ones..
then we went to only one, her white one.. now with 228k and runs perfect, has all new tie rod ends, lower ball joints, lower control arms,
new strut rod bushings, new rotors and ceramic pads... and a lot of little things...
In my mind, I would not make that statement.... I know I would NOT use a stop leak UNLESS, IF it didnt stop it I knew I would replace the LS....
Understand me, a car is something I use... period.
I bought one 94 LS, loved it, so I bought 2 95LS's (me & wife), then 2 96 :LS's, then 2 97 LS's AND then 5 99 LS's, until I had 2 GREAT ones..
then we went to only one, her white one.. now with 228k and runs perfect, has all new tie rod ends, lower ball joints, lower control arms,
new strut rod bushings, new rotors and ceramic pads... and a lot of little things...
#14
Moderator
Have you removed the engine cover? Oil leaks really aren't hard to track down once all the plastic is out of the way. Worse case you might have to remove the metal cover over the cam pulley.
The valve cover bolts have a very low torque spec, 53 INCH-lbf so it's fairly common for them to come loose. Sometime they just need tightened a little...
The valve cover bolts have a very low torque spec, 53 INCH-lbf so it's fairly common for them to come loose. Sometime they just need tightened a little...
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spuds (03-19-19)
#15
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Have you removed the engine cover? Oil leaks really aren't hard to track down once all the plastic is out of the way. Worse case you might have to remove the metal cover over the cam pulley.
The valve cover bolts have a very low torque spec, 53 INCH-lbf so it's fairly common for them to come loose. Sometime they just need tightened a little...
The valve cover bolts have a very low torque spec, 53 INCH-lbf so it's fairly common for them to come loose. Sometime they just need tightened a little...