4mula_J87

I have an lexus es300, when i was driving on the highway i had my heat on and when i got off the exit ramp i saw smoke coming from my hood. So, then I pulled into a gas station and popped the hood, the smoke was coming from the top part of the hood (behind the engine and below the engine). So proceeded to put cold water on behind the engine and it started cracklin and alot of steam came up. After putting cold water, I turned the car back on and turned the heat off, and it did not smoke anymore. I'm not sure whats under the engine except for the transmission, or whats behind it. Please help me

Ariyanna

rear valve cover is leaking oil onto the manifold causing it to smoke, you should get underneath the car and take a look or take it to a shop.

llcoolpass

Most likely

03 ES

valve cover gaskets are leaking oil onto the manifold as stated above
the 1mz-fe is famous for leaking valve cover gaskets

4mula_J87

so is it drivable? is there any type of sealant I can use to block the leaks

03 ES

its fine its prob just losing a tiny bit of oil...just check the level every day and moniter it until you can fix it....
its easy to repair. I see youre in MD....im a toyota tech at russel toyota so let me know if youre near baltimore and i can cut you a deal on the valve cover gasket job

llcoolpass

famous also is the 3vz-fe

03 ES

indeed
the 3vz and 1mz are very similar minus the 3vz having an iron block and the 1mz having an all aluminum block/heads

BK4293

Easy job if you have the patience
I just came in about five minutes ago from replacing the front gasket, ginna wait until the weekend to tackle the rear.

Any pointers before I dive into it? {Like maybe I need an intake manifold gasket or something along those lines**

Is there a how to somewhere???

Oh, and mines a 92, but I guess it's the same through 96 correct?



Steve

BK4293

I did find this hile searching the web, may come in useful...

http://www.wjowsa.com/?p=30

RJ-94es300

the 92 is different from the 96... like said above the 92 has the 3vz and the 94-96 has the 1mzfe

BK4293

Thanks, Just a precaution, when you change the valve cover gasket, make sure you put back on the coolant cap connected to the end of top radiator hose...

What a bad way to start off your day

llcoolpass

no, the 92 is not different procedurally

Gerson

iTrader: (1)

Definately notorious for the 3VZ, 1MZ, and 3MZ engines for valve cover leaks at my job in a local Toyota dealer. I found a crack on my rear valve cover since the previous owners cover it up w silicone. I'm changing them w/ new genuine parts. I'm gonna find a used set of valve covers so I can get them powdercoated in silver later on.