97 3.0L MAJOR oil leak, need help to ID the problem

[Aceshigh22]

Hey guys, haven't been back on here for a bit.
Got a MAJOR oil leak I need some assistance to identify and get repaired ASAP.

1997 ES300 3.0L 97,000 miles, my mothers I bought her 3 years ago.
It has not had it's belt and pulley maintenance yet.
I did look in the Camry FAQ first, but didn't see any titles relating to this problem.

I have a MAJOR leak on the front of the engine (Pass side). Maybe a quart per 20 minutes.
It's right above the crank pulley, and looks to be coming out of where a white plug sensor goes in.
I've circled the area in the photograph.

I can't actually see in there well enough to make a 100% positive ID.
I can see it's pouring out and that seems to be the location it's coming from.
Nothing above it is showing oil streaming, so I think this is the area.
Read alot of threads about cam seal leaks and it only takes 15 minutes to replace.
However I have no idea where the cam is located from the front of this engine.
Engine bay is so damn tight and I can't get in there any better to see......

Does anyone have a Lexus 3.0L front engine image that shows the ID of all the components??
I'm not too savvy with the import motors at all.
Any help to ID this problem is GREATLY appreciated.
I'm out of a car until I fix my mothers problem.
I'm sure you guys know how it is taking care of your parents.

If anyone knows the problem and can ballpark the shop repair hours, I'm all ears.

Here's the pic and the video.


Video showing the oil streaming out. This is from the wheel well with the flap removed.

[Mister_Perkins]

I watched the video, and It looks to me as if the oil is leaking from a higher point. The light hit the side of the engine and I saw oil up higher than where you circled. Just a thought.

[Aceshigh22]

Originally Posted by Mister_Perkins

I watched the video, and It looks to me as if the oil is leaking from a higher point. The light hit the side of the engine and I saw oil up higher than where you circled. Just a thought.

I did look up and see those stains from oil. There's random oil spots all over.
However, I also sat and watched above the white plug for awhile to see if it was coming from a higher point.

The most obvious place it's streaming from is that white connector.
I didn't see anything above it leaking at all, or that steadily as you can see below it.

Found something else out too....
It idles fine, but I tried to drive it to Toyota to have it looked at and I made it 1 block before
it randomly gave me some heavy THUNKS in the engine. So I turned around and parked it.
Oil dipstick showed a full level still after I refilled it before leaving.

This car was taken care of well for the past 30K of ownership outside of the timing belt replacement.
Oil was changed every 5K.

[Aceshigh22]

Since no one had a clue, I guess I'll post this up for future reference in case someone else experiences it.

Turns out this was the oil sending unit sensor that I thought right behind the harmonic balancer.
I towed it to Toyota today. $85 part.

It has an internal diaphragm according to the Toyota tech that blew.
It was pouring out of the sensor. He's seen it on rare occasions.

My valve covers were also leaking pretty badly he said which was a separate issue altogether.
Amazing this is a $50 set of seals but 5 hours of labor. This is why I like V8's. $20 and 20 minutes for both sides.

Getting the timing belt, cam seals, drive belts, and water pump replaced also.
Just want it all done at once so I don't have to freak out about another repair.
They couldn't hear the THUNK I was talking about......

My luck they are going to do the repairs, charge me the $1200 and then realize it's thunking.

[zythr]

Originally Posted by Aceshigh22

Since no one had a clue, I guess I'll post this up for future reference in case someone else experiences it.

Turns out this was the oil sending unit sensor that I thought right behind the harmonic balancer.
I towed it to Toyota today. $85 part.

It has an internal diaphragm according to the Toyota tech that blew.
It was pouring out of the sensor. He's seen it on rare occasions.

My valve covers were also leaking pretty badly he said which was a separate issue altogether.
Amazing this is a $50 set of seals but 5 hours of labor. This is why I like V8's. $20 and 20 minutes for both sides.

Getting the timing belt, cam seals, drive belts, and water pump replaced also.
Just want it all done at once so I don't have to freak out about another repair.
They couldn't hear the THUNK I was talking about......

My luck they are going to do the repairs, charge me the $1200 and then realize it's thunking.

Glad you're getting it fixed, but $1200? Ouch