Oil Leak possibilities

[jsandek]

Having searched this site and seen that my oil leak (97 camry v6, 80,000 miles) somewhere in the vicinity of the front of the engine is not uncommon, I thought I would ask those in the know what the possibilities are before I arrange for repair at the dealer. I noticed it recently when I was changing to snow tires---oil on the front right A arm and the front sub frame giving about a drop of oil on the floor every other day or so. The bottom of what I think is the power steering pump is wet but I think it is being sprayed from CV boot (wet as well) rather than coming from this pump. The oil filter is dry. Some posts mentioned a distributor O ring but I cannot find a distributor on this vehicle. Also maybe a valve cover but I cannot vissually inspect myself. What else is being driven by the accessory belt that could be spraying oil? The oil pump? Could it be from the differential? The oil seems too light weight for this. The dealer suggested last year at the 60K service that I should have the timing belt done-which I deferred. Perhaps I'll have it done now slightly early while this is being looked into.

Thanks in advance!

[bronzemaxell]

Originally Posted by jsandek

Having searched this site and seen that my oil leak (97 camry v6, 80,000 miles) somewhere in the vicinity of the front of the engine is not uncommon, I thought I would ask those in the know what the possibilities are before I arrange for repair at the dealer. I noticed it recently when I was changing to snow tires---oil on the front right A arm and the front sub frame giving about a drop of oil on the floor every other day or so. The bottom of what I think is the power steering pump is wet but I think it is being sprayed from CV boot (wet as well) rather than coming from this pump. The oil filter is dry. Some posts mentioned a distributor O ring but I cannot find a distributor on this vehicle. Also maybe a valve cover but I cannot vissually inspect myself. What else is being driven by the accessory belt that could be spraying oil? The oil pump? Could it be from the differential? The oil seems too light weight for this. The dealer suggested last year at the 60K service that I should have the timing belt done-which I deferred. Perhaps I'll have it done now slightly early while this is being looked into.

Thanks in advance!

i would guess on the power steering pump leaking as well,
camry v6 engine starting 94 may no longer use distributor for spark plug,
were you able to identify the color and smell of the oil?

[fredk]

it might be a cam or crank seal inside the timing cover where the timing belt resides

[jsandek]

Dealer claimed mostly power steering fluid from ps pump with engine oil mixed in from valve covers. The parts alone for pump and high pressure hose was nearly $600!! + 5 hours labor!!. Valve covers claimed to be a 3.5 hr job but it looked more difficult than the ps pump to my eye, being buried between firewall and intake. We did the timing belt at the same time (80,000 miles). Yikes, sort of painful considering our experience with this car for the past 8 years (just oil changes and front brakes).

[shanzhu1]

you described.

Did you have yours fixed, yet? Is it what the dealer
described?

Thanks,

-shan

[jamesgf]

My 95 LE V6 has developed this as well. Small leak in the front left (when facing the car). Anyone else have any experience with this and the cost to fix it? Sounds expensive.....

-j

[jhbhatia]

Get a new highpressude hose (ps hose) and replace that its a $35 dollar part at a parts store. Clean that sucker out completely..and then work from there....

[jamesgf]

Thanks! The high pressure hose is usually the first to go on these cars? mine has 128 k miles on it. $35 is sounding pretty good since i thought it might need the whole rack replaced at around $600+ labor.....

How hard is it to replace the hose? Any tips or tricks? Ive done some routine maint. on the car (starter, O2 sensors) but i dont have the garage for major service...

-j