Help Id Oil Leak! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

haydeno · 06-08-2009, 08:09 PM

Hi, I seem to be leaking oil on the lower part of engine. Can you let me know what the leaking thing is. I have included pic of leak

95PimpingCamry · 06-08-2009, 08:14 PM

I'll take oil leaks for $500, Alex.

"This leaks as shown above."

What is the valve cover gasket?

haydeno · 06-08-2009, 08:16 PM

Valve cover gasket not leaking at all and was changed about 20k ago. Its looks like ATF. It looks like the the sensor or what not is leaking??

95PimpingCamry · 06-08-2009, 08:19 PM

In the picture, it looks like oil to me, but I could be wrong.

Also, oil leaks flow down, not up. So it can't be leaking from the sensor on top of the tranny.

Frodo65 · 06-08-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95PimpingCamry

In the picture, it looks like oil to me, but I could be wrong.

Also, oil leaks flow down, not up. So it can't be leaking from the sensor on top of the tranny.

It can if it's a pressure leak. Weeping gaskets or a cracked sensor body can weep enough oil to puddle. Clean area, maybe add dye to crankcase, and confirm source.

v6camrydriver · 06-09-2009, 12:33 AM

I've also got a oil puddle in that spot and I've suspected it's coming from either the rear valve cover (it's a V6) or the distributor and dripping down. In this case it's more likely the valve cover as this engine dosen't appear to have a distributor.
If you look at the pics you can see what looks like oil residue on one of the pipes, though can't be sure from the picture.

***96paseo*** · 06-09-2009, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haydeno

Valve cover gasket not leaking at all and was changed about 20k ago. Its looks like ATF. It looks like the the sensor or what not is leaking??

Did you use RTV on the corners of the cam journals when you replaced the vavle cover gasket? It does appear to be ATF but you need to get some on your finger or a rag and smell it to be sure.

If it is indeed ATF, the part in your second pic appears to be the speedometer sensor. There is an o-ring on it that can go bad and looks to be the culprit here.

jgoh88 · 07-29-2009, 12:59 AM

haydeno,

I have got the same problem with my 1998 camry too. Juz started 2 weeks ago. Let me know if you have found the solution.

Thanks in advance.

asphalt victory · 07-29-2009, 03:08 AM

heater hose leak? brake fluid?

jgoh88 · 07-29-2009, 03:27 AM

It's black. Can it be brake fluid? My brake fluid reservoir is still normal.

bronzemaxell · 07-29-2009, 08:40 AM

i have the same leak, and i thought it was my valve cover gasket too, and i redid VC gasket 2 time, still leak, turn out it was from the half moon and the "whole moon" where the distributor shaft goes in for gen 3. i know, the gen 4 is distributorless, but the hole is still there, cover with a round plastic.

jgoh88 · 07-29-2009, 10:58 AM

Great. I'll ask my mechanic to look there 1st. My appointment is this Saturday.

Thanks guys ... for all your input.

Gibson99 · 07-29-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronzemaxell

i have the same leak, and i thought it was my valve cover gasket too, and i redid VC gasket 2 time, still leak, turn out it was from the half moon and the "whole moon" where the distributor shaft goes in for gen 3. i know, the gen 4 is distributorless, but the hole is still there, cover with a round plastic.

i second this. simply replacing teh valve cover gasket without doing the half and whole moon plugs is like patching only one of the three holes in your leaky boat.

nevanerviss · 07-31-2009, 08:13 PM

I had that SAME leak; drove me crazy for a week, but it was, in fact, the distributor o-ring...

jgoh88 · 08-02-2009, 02:41 AM

Guys,

I've replaced the valve cover gasket, whole moon and half moon disc. The leak stopped. Thanks again for your input.