Performance & Maintenance Engine, forced induction, intakes, exhausts, torque converters, transmissions, etc.

SC300 Oil Leak

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-20-13, 02:04 PM
  #1  
eknine9
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
 
eknine9's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default SC300 Oil Leak

So I recently had an oil leak that put my alternator down for the count.
I assumed that it was coming from the distributor seals because it was mainly leaking onto the metal shield that is below the distributor and then the alternator.

So when I got a new alternator I also replaced the 2 o-ring seals on the distributor, both the small one and the larger one. And there indeed was a leak there so feeling satisfied I put it back together and installed my new alternator and went on my merry way. Now a couple weeks later there is oil back on the metal shield below my distributor and I'm wondering where it might be coming from.

What other places in that area might be leaking oil?
What else should I be looking at or considering as the cause of this leak?
Old 11-20-13, 02:17 PM
  #2  
turbodremz
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (18)
 
turbodremz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: TX
Posts: 4,870
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Cam covers...?
Old 11-20-13, 02:25 PM
  #3  
eknine9
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
 
eknine9's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by turbodremz
Cam covers...?
Do those have a gasket on them or something of the sort that might degrade? Or would the entire cover need to be replaced if this was the problem?
Old 11-20-13, 03:02 PM
  #4  
turbodremz
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (18)
 
turbodremz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: TX
Posts: 4,870
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by eknine9
Do those have a gasket on them or something of the sort that might degrade? Or would the entire cover need to be replaced if this was the problem?
Yes they have a gasket that sees all sorts of heat, and overtime they do tend to leak. Also, might be worth looking at the o-rings you installed to see if by chance one was torn during dizzy install. I tore one of mine years back when I replaced the o-rings, replaced it again, but put a little grease on the ring before putting the dizzy back in.
Old 11-20-13, 03:12 PM
  #5  
tritron
Lead Lap
 
tritron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Colorado
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Did you try at-225 it seems to restore seals and stops leaks and it is only 9 at amazon.
Old 11-20-13, 04:29 PM
  #6  
turbodremz
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (18)
 
turbodremz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: TX
Posts: 4,870
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by tritron
Did you try at-225 it seems to restore seals and stops leaks and it is only 9 at amazon.
, what is at-225? I really hope your not suggesting a stop leak additive, or (based off the "at") automatic trans stop leak.... There is only one proper way to fix a leak, and thats to actually fix the leak.
Old 11-20-13, 05:01 PM
  #7  
OG Dada
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (10)
 
OG Dada's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 3,118
Received 16 Likes on 12 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by tritron
Did you try at-225 it seems to restore seals and stops leaks and it is only 9 at amazon.
So what are we supposed to gain if I buy that at-225 for $9 rather than the $2 oil seal? LOL
Old 11-20-13, 05:22 PM
  #8  
eknine9
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
 
eknine9's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by turbodremz
Yes they have a gasket that sees all sorts of heat, and overtime they do tend to leak. Also, might be worth looking at the o-rings you installed to see if by chance one was torn during dizzy install. I tore one of mine years back when I replaced the o-rings, replaced it again, but put a little grease on the ring before putting the dizzy back in.
Alright I'll give them a look.
She stalled out on me about 4 days ago and the dizzy rotor is lookin all kinds of nasty so I ordered a new one, should be here tomorrow and I can inspect the o-rings when I replace the rotor. Not lookin forward to markin down timing again, I have an irrational fear I'm going to ruin my timing, and I actually thought that's what it was when my car stalled out, but considering it started a couple hours ago I at least know it's not the timing that threw me off.

Thinking back on it, I didn't grease the ring at all when I installed it and the way it goes in I can definitely see how I might have torn it. Hopefully this is the problem, I'll check in about that tomorrow if the rotor arrives. I'll also look into the cam cover gasket. Just in case.
Old 11-21-13, 06:02 AM
  #9  
Bflatsharp
Driver
iTrader: (18)
 
Bflatsharp's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MO
Posts: 185
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

If the distributor is still leaking oil and you double checked your O-rings you may need to replace the distributor.

I replaced my alternator 2 or 3 times because the distributor had an internal leak that was getting inside my cap, leaking on the metal tray, then onto the alternator. Did the O-rings twice on it before I figured it out.

The metal behind the cap (where the rotor bolts up) was a light gold color like camshaft caps turn over time. My cap also had a light oil film on it.

There is also the chance it could be something else, just sharing my experience with this situation.

Best of luck
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Volunthai
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
17
12-30-16 08:45 PM
91fox94gs3
GS - 1st Gen (1993-1997)
3
08-23-16 11:49 PM
covert
Performance & Maintenance
4
06-12-15 08:37 AM
boostinsc
Performance & Maintenance
3
01-01-15 02:42 PM
dl11
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
2
09-28-10 04:14 PM



Quick Reply: SC300 Oil Leak



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:50 PM.