Bad Oil Leak - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

k9n · 01-26-2004, 05:55 PM

Hello again, i have a 1992 camry I4 that was in an accident, i have fixed everything and then when i put oil in, it came out the other end. The leak isnt just a tiny one, it has probably leaked a quart or two. The leak has slowed to a drip now that it is parked outside, but i want to fix the car so i can drive it!! When i drove it once with the leak it smoked a lot, so i pulled over and saw that the oil is blowing back onto the exhaust and burning on there. I know the descripion is vague and it could be a million things, but i honestly dont know where it is coming from, so maybe someone has any ideas or had the same problem happen to them. Thanks for the help!

Nick · 01-26-2004, 05:57 PM

wash the engine, fill up the oil and see where its leaking from

k9n · 01-26-2004, 06:06 PM

i did that but ii dont know the name of the part once again. When looking from under the car there is the transmission oil pan (i dont know if that is the name, its on the drivers side) and where it seems to be leaking from is right next to that (inwards towards the center of the car) its a narrow piece looking up from it, but it seems tall.

Nick · 01-26-2004, 06:16 PM

where the engine meets the tranny? right over the exhaust?

k9n · 01-26-2004, 06:19 PM

hmm not really, ill just go get a pic of it....

S-FL camry · 01-26-2004, 08:43 PM

wow... im not sure but maybe we had same problem... i have a 93 camry i4 and the seal between the transmission and the engine was broken... 35$ seal however to replace it the transmission had to be taken out... 500$ cost me at mechanic =/

465$ for labor... 35$ for seal =/

basically the "symptoms" that i got was an oil leak that dripped from the transmission oil pan onto the exhaust pipe that caused alot of smoke... the mechanics cleaned the engine and the next day i drove back, and it turned to be that seal

i hope my experience helps u, good luck

k9n · 01-26-2004, 08:55 PM

hmm i could see that as a possible problem, was your car in an accident?

Nick · 01-26-2004, 08:57 PM

how bad was the front end damage? that seal shouldn't lead to burning oil out the tail pipe, for that it would have to get into the cylinders, so cracked head or block?

k9n · 01-26-2004, 08:58 PM

also it is leaking engine oil not tranny fluid

k9n · 01-26-2004, 09:16 PM

oh no the smoke isnt coming out the exhaust, oil is falling ONTO the exhaust and burning off. The front end damage wasnt bad at all, a pole fell onto it, but the radiator wasnt broken, i did have to fix the exhaust portion that bolts up to the manifold however

profuse007 · 01-26-2004, 11:37 PM

well theres nothing bad news about that, its a 1992.......all cars' seals have to be replace over time. seems like that car been overheated couple of times? the rear main seal leak to the tranny parts and not on the engine......yeah its weird.

i have a 94 and i replaced all front seals and the only seal left is that rear main seal and i have read a lots of chilton and haynes manuals so i can drop down the tranny in my garage......sounds impossible huh? if you want to do this by urself, get a tranny holder thats attach to ur jack and viola you have a tranny thingy to drop down w/.

your main rear seal (flywheel to tranny) its one of those expensive job that ppl do not want to pay for to get it change. it cost about 400-500 to drop the tranny and replace that simple seal. the hard part is to drop the tranny, thats where all the money and labor goes to.

too bad my car is stallin out on me......did yall know that every forum that i have crash through one camry (5sfe) have the same symptom, stallin while stop at a sign or light......how weird is that?

k9n · 01-26-2004, 11:50 PM

yah, actually doing the work wont be too hard for me, i have a few friends with really nice garages that can help me. Is there a way i can be certain it is the rear main seal?

profuse007 · 01-27-2004, 12:07 AM

i know mine havent been replace and its leakin like crazy and its a 94 w/180kmiles. 92? most definitely......if you had this leak right after ur accident that mean its a different problem, so consider that.

damn, document ur droppin down teh tranny, i want some idea from you when youre finish. i need to do mine, right inside my parents garage.....hahahha.

k9n · 01-27-2004, 09:03 AM

so it couldnt be that?

k9n · 02-03-2004, 08:50 PM

well i took it into the shop and they told me that it indeed is infact the rear main seal. They want 810 bucks, but i will do it myself for that much. Is there a walkthrough on this and where can i get the seal itself?