Don't think it's the end cap leaking, maybe a coilpack seal?

[97&02camryleI4]

Hey thanks for taking the time to read this thread. A few days ago I replaced the end cap (aka cam plug) on the driver side cylinder head because there is oil leaking out and dripping down from behind the ignition coilpacks area (behind the black metal bracket which is bolted to the side of the cylinder head). This oil leak has been obvious for a year or two now, and is a slow leak. It drips all the way down to the top of the transmission housing and starts pooling oil there. I've cleaned up the area with brake cleaner a couple of times already and I am starting to see some new oil residue starting to form and drip from the bottom of the coilpack metal bracket just a couple days after cleaning up the area. I've also used jock itch spray (the white powder) and sprayed the area to try to locate the leak but it's hard to see that area since it's so cramped.

Initially, I thought it would be the cam plug and/or the cam cap needing fresh silicone gasket to reseal the surfaces. I did do that and also changed the valve cover gasket and grommets and tightened to 20ft-lbs torque in 3 passes. Haynes recommended 33ft-lbs and Chiltons recommended 17ft-lbs, as a number of members have claimed. So I just decided to go with 20ft-lbs. Anyways, I started to monitor the leak a couple days after I finished putting new gaskets on and took a couple of long drives. I didn't remove the coilpacks area and change anything there when I was doing the end cap so I'm pretty sure it's leaking from somewhere directly behind the coilpacks, especially if there is a seal behind there. Can someone point me in the right direction with any information if there is a seal behind there and what do I need to remove in order to get access to it? I appreciate the help, thanks.

Here are some pictures of the oil leak:

[97&02camryleI4]

I guess no one knows?

[Surfslinger]

If the area in question might be the rubber plugs, did you apply FIPG/appropriate silicone to the underside of the plugs, and to the other areas as specified by Toyota before installing the valve cover?

Here are a few sections from the Toyota manual that might help. Good luck!

[BadChicken]

put somy dye in the engine and this should point you in the right direction to where the leak is coming from

[joandjo]

Hi 97&02camryleI4,

Since I replaced my distributor o-ring (per your advice last time), there is no more oil on the tranny. I'm very happy with it.

I hope your problem should be solved soon.

[97&02camryleI4]

Originally Posted by Surfslinger

If the area in question might be the rubber plugs, did you apply FIPG/appropriate silicone to the underside of the plugs, and to the other areas as specified by Toyota before installing the valve cover?

Yes, I applied Hondabond to the semi-circular plugs, end cap, and also the 8 points mentioned in that picture before putting the valve cover gasket back on. It does not appear to be leaking from any of these areas (end cap, semi-circular plugs, or valve cover) because I have been checking up on these areas with a flash light and not a sign of oil. I'm pretty sure something behind the black bracket that is mounted next the to cylinder head for the two coilpacks is leaking.

Originally Posted by BadChicken

put somy dye in the engine and this should point you in the right direction to where the leak is coming from

I saw a dye sold by Kragen autoparts store. But I just need to buy an ultraviolet flash light. But I will first try to remove that black metal bracket that holds the coilpacks and see if there are any obvious leaks behind there, because even if I did use the dye and the oil is leaking from behind the black metal bracket, I won't be able to see it since the bracket is in the way.

Originally Posted by joandjo

Since I replaced my distributor o-ring (per your advice last time), there is no more oil on the tranny. I'm very happy with it.

I hope your problem should be solved soon.

Congratulations on the fix. I hope I can locate the source of mine and get it fixed soon too.

Thank you everyone for your great suggestions/comments. I'll keep you guys updated after I remove the black metal bracket and see how it goes from there. According to the Haynes, IIRC I think I have to remove the intake and tb and there are 3 nuts holding the bracket for the coilpacks. Has anyone ever removed this?

[marc780]

Oil leaks can be extremely annoying. I wish i had some advice to offer. Although i do say I trust Haynes before Chilton. Chilton is often inacurate so i quit buying them. Also they give lots of wrong information. Chilton BAH! Stick with Haynes or better yet the toyota manual.

[Surfslinger]

Along the lines of what Marc said, take a look at the appropriate "engine_mechanical" for your Camry as seen here at TN:

http://oregonstate.edu/~tongt/camry/

Good illustrations, and torque specs to help you along.

SS

[Digger1]

Originally Posted by 97&02camryleI4

Hey thanks for taking the time to read this thread. A few days ago I replaced the end cap (aka cam plug) on the driver side cylinder head because there is oil leaking out and dripping down from behind the ignition coilpacks area (behind the black metal bracket which is bolted to the side of the cylinder head). This oil leak has been obvious for a year or two now, and is a slow leak. It drips all the way down to the top of the transmission housing and starts pooling oil there. I've cleaned up the area with brake cleaner a couple of times already and I am starting to see some new oil residue starting to form and drip from the bottom of the coilpack metal bracket just a couple days after cleaning up the area. I've also used jock itch spray (the white powder) and sprayed the area to try to locate the leak but it's hard to see that area since it's so cramped.

Initially, I thought it would be the cam plug and/or the cam cap needing fresh silicone gasket to reseal the surfaces. I did do that and also changed the valve cover gasket and grommets and tightened to 20ft-lbs torque in 3 passes. Haynes recommended 33ft-lbs and Chiltons recommended 17ft-lbs, as a number of members have claimed. So I just decided to go with 20ft-lbs. Anyways, I started to monitor the leak a couple days after I finished putting new gaskets on and took a couple of long drives. I didn't remove the coilpacks area and change anything there when I was doing the end cap so I'm pretty sure it's leaking from somewhere directly behind the coilpacks, especially if there is a seal behind there. Can someone point me in the right direction with any information if there is a seal behind there and what do I need to remove in order to get access to it? I appreciate the help, thanks.

Here are some pictures of the oil leak:

97,

FYI, I had oil pooling in the same place as in your pic (see signature block for my car).

I actually replaced the circular distributor shaft plug (what you call the cam plug) with a new one, using Permatex Ultra-Copper sealant.

End of problem.

P.S. My FSM says 33 ft-lb of torque for the 30mm nuts.

[hooRAH]

Ahhh, the nightmares are back to haunt me! I thought I would never see this problem again.

I went through exactly the same thing you did about 4 months ago. I probably replaced that distributor plug about 4 times, and still saw leaking oil.

What it turned out to be for me anyways was that the valve cover gasket had twisted when I put the new one on, and ever since then, had a slight twist in it that caused it not to seal in that exact area.

In the end, I ended up buying a new gasket, coating it liberally with the orange RTV sealant, reseated the distributor plug with RTV, and torqued down the VC from right to left (rather than middle - out). After all that, it still seemed like it was leaking, but I had had enough. I let my gf drive it for a few days, and when I went back to work on it, the oil was gone, I guess it had finally stopped leaking with the last repair.

Basically, be careful the gasket doesn't twist in the valve cover, and apply RTV around that right side area. There may be a bunch of residual oil dripping down the block, so it may seem like its still leaking for a few run-hours after the replacement. If its still pooling a day or two later, you might have to pull the cover off again. I don't think you're leaking from anywhere further down the block.