Oil Spots

[mk2-1jz]

I know the Gen 2 Camry's are nortoriously bad for leaking oil, but my questions is, where are the most common places for the oil to leak on the 3s-fe engine? I've been trying for quite some time to find my leak, but cant spot it. I've wiped down the whole underside of the motor and then rechecked a couple days later, its not obvious where its comming from. I see that it stays oily right where the oil pan and the tranny meet.

I also tightened down the valve cover, which didnt help. what gaskets tend to leak on this car? Could it be leaking from the seal in the distributor and leaking down the block? There was some oil in there when I changed the cap a while ago, I know the seal is going, but it only trickles from there. anyways tell me what you guys think.

[fredk]

the oil pump and front cover pour, the cam seal leaks too, the valve cover always leaks,even with a new or old o ring, the distributor shaft leaks and fills the cap up, you can pretty much stop the leaks but it just takes money, get with me on these for help

[atobe]

well how much oil are you losing... mine's leaking all the time i don't know where it's comming from either.. but i always poor out back almost 4qts every oil change so i don't worry about it.

[89 2wd]

Hey, I have some of the same symptoms...the oil between the trans and engine, and the distributor cap full of oil. I made a notch in it last time I had it off. Oil also pools up on top of the transmission near the speedometer sending unit.

Is this the distributor leaking??




Thanks

[mk2-1jz]

thats pretty funny, I cant find the leak because its leaking from everywhere . I jacked up the car and went and took another look, and it looks like its leaking a bit from all those places. The timing cover has oil on the base of it, I see fresh(er) oil leaking down the backside of the block and it looks like its comming from right above the intake (im going to assume its the valve cover). Would changing the valve cover gasket help? My car doesnt lose oil, barley any, I might have to top it up once or twice between oil changes, but never more than half a quart, but it leaves lots of spots. Were getting the driveway repaved soon, thats why I want to fix it. Whats the best solution?. I looked at the oilpan, figuring maybe Id change that, you cant even get a ratchet in there. I didnt notice the oil pump, where is it?

[Kep]

89 2wd, I would suspect your distributor seals. The shaft to engine block exterior seal is easy. The rotor to shaft interior seal is difficult. There are aftermarket interior seal kits available. These may require some drilling.

Camry's, did you snug up the spark plug tube seals at the top (MM socket needed, I believe)? I don't have the torque figures but don't over tighten. If the top of your transmission doesn't look like 88 2wd's then I think your distributor seals are OK. You might also look under the timing belt cover to see if it is oily in there. There are a couple of seals and the oil pump that may have leaks.

Kep

[marc780]

My car doesnt lose oil, barley any, I might have to top it up once or twice between oil changes, but never more than half a quart, but it leaves lots of spots. Were getting the driveway repaved soon, thats why I want to fix it. Whats the best solution?.

Here is my opinion, i'd leave it alone! The biggest danger of leaking oil is forgetting to add some one day and running out and burning up your engine. For a car this old, i'd say your level of oil use is just fine. I have driven cars that needed a qt every tank of gas but i just found it easier to keep adding oil - i think if you tore into it now theres a risk the leaking could get worse.
I'd just save myself alot of work and trouble and simply put a drip pan under the engine or park it in the street...because no 1988 Camry with original engine is not going to leak or burn some oil.

[TBayToyotaBoy]

^^ I mostly agree with marc780. Seal/gasket kits are cheap (I bought one for each of my Camrys and they were approx. $100 shipped on eBay), but the work can be extensive.

As for an oil leak where the oil pan and the tranny meet, your rear main seal may be leaking (it was on both of my Camrys). Unless it's a gusher, leave it be. Not worth the effort to remove the tranny.

If memory serves, there's no gasket on the oil pan, just a bead of sealant...

[sillysspeed]

Yea at one time I thought about fixing the oil leaks but there are so many!!! lol. I just add around a quart every few weeks and keep on driving.