Oil LEak- couple of questions (Pictures)

[muminiasty]

Hello again

Today I have done my own oil and filter change. It was a great success heh anyway. After the change I ran the engine for 10-15 mins and two drops of oil dropped on the ground. I got under the car and I saw the screw and oil tank were dry. I knew it was coming from higher than oil tank. First I thought maybe oil that i spilled from the oil filter comes down ,but affortunatelly it wasn't it. I neved had oil dropping down on the ground in this Camry. One thing though. Oil always has been changed at Shell. I was wondering if you guys know what oil shell uses. I always asked them for regular and could they be giving me 10w40 so oil was thicker?? I got castrol gt 5w30 well day passed and I seen 6 little marks under. Arrows show the leak it is behind the wheel. Take a look

Here are some photos I took where I saw the leak.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11536076@N06/3046110103/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11536076@N06/3046944636/

[toyomoho]

Examine the oil and determine if it is engine oil or automatic transmission fluid. The power steering uses auto trans fluid, the pump may be leaking.

If engine oil the valve cover could be leaking.

[muminiasty]

WHen I touched the shining area with cotton sock there was no oil left o the sock. So maybe it is not motor oil?? I also added fluid back in June because there was almost no left in the plastic canister. Is there a way to get to that pump with out of going to mechanic?

[muminiasty]

When I think about it though. I had some of those drops on a white paper and it looked like oil

[new echo owner]

The oil drop may have been residue when you change your oil filter. The area in your picture is probably from your cam seal, it looks like it is just starting. You may have a similar condition for you front cam seal too.

N.E.O.

[muminiasty]

I'm sorry where is the cam seal on the front?? Is it something I can check??

[ghettosled]

try to find the top of the leak trail. above that is the cam seal like NEO said, but there is also the valve cover gasket as well. cover gasket can be inspected by looking down from the top of the motor. the cam seal needs the upper timing belt cover removed.

[new echo owner]

ghettosled is correct!

N.E.O.

[toyomoho]

First determine what kind of oil is leaking.

Smell the PS fluid, the the motor oil. They have different odors. PS fluid is also red in color if not dirty.

[Hajoca]

PS fluid from factory is amber like new oil ad light brown/grey if it is getting old. Smell is very different from motor oil.

[muminiasty]

Thank you guys for your replies. I looked down the engine and I see one of the rubber pipes for steering fluid system is leaking. In is the top of where the leak is starting. I saw those rubber pipes are connected to metal pipes. Since I see where the rubber pipe is connected on the top ,do you think I will be able to find it on the bottom as well?? Also is there a post about how to flush the steering fluid?? Thanks a lot

[new echo owner]

There are two hoses connected to the power steering pump; the fluid supply hose and the pressure hose. The supply hose is about 3/4" in size and the material is on the softer side comparing with the pressure hose. It comes from the fluid reservoir. The pressure hose on the other hand has crimped joints where it connects to the metal pipings, and the rubber part is pretty stiff and hard, and it goes to the steering gear. Your pictures show very very slight leak from the power steering, otherwise, you will see fluid hanging off from the pump or hoses.

Not sure about a thread for flushing the P/S fluid.

N.E.O.

[muminiasty]

This is where leak is.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11536076@N06/3050222651/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1153607...n/photostream/

Place where I made markings that is where that pipe goes. After the metal conector thing that is when rubber pipe starts ,it is very hard rubber pipe. it goes down . 4 inches lower i see the wet area on the pipe going down from that point. I imagine it would require unscrewing this rubber pipe on this side and on wherever it ends and replace it.

[new echo owner]

That is the pressure hose for the power steering, and they are pre-made, I think there may be two different pieces.

From your pictures, I would suggest cleaning them up and monitor them, it is just seeping and it will be a while before you will notice drips on the ground.

N.E.O.

[muminiasty]

Thanks for your helpful replies. I will try to get under the car this coming week and see what I can find. What can i use to clean those oil spillages and engine overall??