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I have oil pooling on top of the transmission area (pics below). The plug for where the distributor would be (I don't have a distributor since it's a 97) apparently is leaking, but I am not 100% sure since it's behind the coilpacks and such. What exactly do I need to remove in order to see if oil is weeping out from the plug? It is not the valve cover gasket since it's pretty new so I'm assuming it's the plug. I have a Haynes but it's at home and I'm typing this from school. Thanks.
Thats funny my 1997 did the same thing.Bought a new valve cover gasket and filled the plug/ replaced.i degreased the engine bay changed the oil and havnt seen a drop of oil there since.
Mine was leaking a while back (my car is in my signature). I traced the leak to this plug and popped a new one in. End of problem. I was sorta scratching my head wondering why that rubber plug was there.
Thnx for clearing this up for me!
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Digger1
"If you don't understand the technology you depend upon, you will someday be a victim of that technology."
Wow I didn't know this is somewhat a fairly common problem. And to think it was the o-ring from the vehicle speed sensor that was bad. I paid $4 for that o-ring too. And I also broke the hold-down bolt for the vehicle speed sensor because either the torque wrench wasn't working properly or the screw wasn't going in straight. So now the vss is just sitting on top of the tranny without the bolt but seems to be okay for now. I could've saved all that headache if I knew there was a rubber plug for our DIS.
So I won't need to disassemble the ignition coil packs area? Just remove the valve cover and I should be able to see/replace it? Should I apply some Hondabond/RTV sealant to the new plug before installing? Thanks for all the help guys and I hope this will be handy for those who run into this problem.
EDIT: BTW, does anyone know the exact name of this plug I will need to buy? Just in case the parts guy has no idea what I'm asking for. Or maybe there's a gasket kit from the dealer that includes the valve cover, spark plug gaskets, and the plug? Thanks.
Last edited by 97&02camryleI4; 01-18-2006 at 02:13 PM.
So today I went to the dealer parts counter and asked for the plug where the distributor would have been. The parts guy was kind of lost as to which plug it was, since there were a couple seals/plugs shown in the diagram (attached below). Can someone point out which one is the distributor plug I need to replace to fix the leak? The one we suspected is the plug that is highlighted in yellow, which is right next to the intake camshaft. If possible, it would be great if someone is able to point out the names of all the plugs/seals/gaskets shown in that diagram because it would be very helpful in the future. The picture is shown as if you're looking at the engine bay from the front of the car. Sorry the pictures are pretty big but it's so that it's easier to see. Thanks.
Were you able to remove the plug immediately after taking off the valve cover? I want to be sure of what I need to do before I open up the cover, in case I need more tools. Does the plug come out vertically or horizontally? Will I have to remove anything else to gain access to them?
For reference purposes, does anyone know what the other plug (right underneath the highlighted one) is for? It's the one with part #290339-36001. Thanks.
The cam cap is what holds the plug in.
2 10mm bolts and it's out.
The plug stays stuck to the cam cap as you take it out.
Do you know the exact torque for the 10mm cam cap bolts?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nad1370
The other plug your talking about is the the dist. plug.
So now I'm more confused as to which plug is causing the leak. Most people said it was the dist. plug, but what I highlighted is actually the intake cam plug? If this is the case, I'll replace both the intake cam plug and the dist. plug, along with a new valve cover gasket and spark plug gaskets.
Are there any plugs/seals I should replace while the valve cover is off? I just want to do this once and be done with it.
Does removing the dist. plug involve removing any additional part other than the valve cover? Thanks for the prompt response.
Were you able to remove the plug immediately after taking off the valve cover? I want to be sure of what I need to do before I open up the cover, in case I need more tools. Does the plug come out vertically or horizontally? Will I have to remove anything else to gain access to them?
For reference purposes, does anyone know what the other plug (right underneath the highlighted one) is for? It's the one with part #290339-36001. Thanks.
97&02,
I was able to get the plug out without too much trouble, as I recall, after the valve cover was off. BTW, after removing the valve cover, take a good look at both of the plugs under discussion. I had a small leak that could be seen a lot better after the valve cover was removed. You'll probably get a better idea of what plugs need to be replaced after you take the valve cover off.
Good luck!
__________________
Digger1
"If you don't understand the technology you depend upon, you will someday be a victim of that technology."
I'm sorry for the confusion.
The dist. plug/cam plug is the one I'm talking about.
I merely stated it was a cam plug because it is held in by a cam cap.
Funny though that the camshaft doesn't even ride in this cap.
So I wouldn't worry too much about torque specs.
But I believe it's 12ft.lbs. no more than that.
No other seals needed. Just the dist. plug seal and v/c gasket.
Don't forget silicone on the edges.
^okay so the dist. plug might also be referred to as the cam plug. Thanks Nad for clarifying that. Again, for reference purposes, does anyone know what the other plug (right underneath the highlighted one) is for? It's the one with part *2 90339-36001. Since the dist. plug and cam plug are one and the same, I just want to know what the other plug is for. Thanks Digger and Nad for your help.
Edit: I looked at the diagram again and realized that the plug shown under the highlighted one is for the 5SFNE engine. What years of the Camry model had this engine?
Also, should I replace the 11183 and 11116A plugs/seals (labeled in picture above) as well? I'm not sure if the 1116A plug is serviceable so that's why I'm asking. Anyone know why those plugs are there? Haynes does not mention any of these plugs at all.
Last edited by 97&02camryleI4; 01-25-2006 at 11:39 PM.
I was just looking at my engine last night (my car is in my signature). The only plugs on the rear of the engine at the valve cover/head interface (there are two there on my engine) look like the plug you've highlighted (this one was leaking on my engine and I put in a new one) and plug #11183, which is shaped like a semi-circle. That one has never leaked on my engine. I've no idea what plug #11183 is for, my guess is that it plugs a hole that was needed for manufacturing purposes.
As for the rest of the plugs you mention, I wouldn't replace them unless they were leaking. To find a leak, clean the engine real good and get you a can of jock itch spray (I use Cruex) and spray some around the valve cover gasket area. The spray goes on as a white powder. After driving the car a few miles, look at the area you sprayed. If you see the white spray powder turning brown, you've just found your leak.
I hope this helps!
__________________
Digger1
"If you don't understand the technology you depend upon, you will someday be a victim of that technology."
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replace plug where distributor would be
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