thesung41

hey guys...
ive been driven around this car about a month since i bought. it has 153k miles on it. i did oil change and mechanic says need to change transmission fluid pretty soon.

however, every morning on the way to work like after 5 mins drive, i see slightly smoke out of passenger side hood. i stop the car and open the hood. there is something burning smell with slightly smoke on far back of engine. i think its from pretty underneath so i do know sure what the problem is. but i park my car outside which is over 103 degree about 6-8 hours during the day.

i only drive this car for work which is less than 10 miles round trip to home.

So, after work once i get on my car i dont see no smoke. i try to pop the hood and see if there is still smoke is coming out of it BUT no....i dont know why.

is that burning that transmission fluid oil is pretty low or what???
possibly something is leaking and burning?
smoke is not that bad. i drove to phoenix from tucson which is 200 miles was pretty okay.

there is no check engine light on and car runs GREAT.

i am kinda scare of whether its gonna cost A LOT. i hope that maybe old gasket problem or something.

Does anyone knows what is wrong is this???

i would very appreciate your technical response.

thesung41

should i take it to toyota dealer(lexus dealer is pretty far from where i live) or local auto shop?

GEORGE_JET

Chances are that the rear valve cover gasket is leaking oil, and the smoke you see is the oil burning on the exhaust header. Save yourself some money, any decent independent garage can replace the gaskets at half the cost. You may even want to have them change the spark plugs while they are at it.

ASG14

iTrader: (1)

^ Yup, 100% agree with that. I've heard it many times before.

thesung41

thanks for the quick response guys...

can i purchase rear valve cover gasket and spark plugs at the dealer or online?

I just want to pay labor because it will be $$$ if i just let them to do it.

how much it costs??? any estimate??? i need to be prepare...

GEORGE_JET

They list that as 3 hours book time, so multiply the hourly rate by 3. The gaskets should be less than $30.

thesung41

do you know where i can get rear valve cover gasket and spark plug for cheap?
do i also change oil again since its been leak?

GEORGE_JET

If you are going to take it to a shop, let them purchase it. They already have accounts with auto part stores, and will be able to purchase the parts wholesale.
The oil leak will have no affect on oil changes, just make sure that you check the oil a little more frequently than normal until you get the leak fixed.

thesung41

i see thanks a lot GEORGE_JET. i have worship on you right now

GEORGE_JET

No problem, Just one point, when you bring it in, tell them what you have told us. And then say that you think it may be the valve cover gaskets, you want them to confirm the diagnosis before starting.

thesung41

ai ai sir. thanks a lot.