Aceshigh

1997 ES300 3.0L 97,000 miles, my mothers I bought her 3 years ago.
It has not had it's belt and pulley maintenance yet.

I have a MAJOR leak on the front of the engine (Pass side). Maybe a quart per 20 minutes.
It's right above the crank pulley, and looks to be coming out of where a white plug sensor goes in.
I've circled the area in the photograph.

I can't actually see in there well enough to make a 100% positive ID.
I can see it's pouring out and that seems to be the location it's coming from.
Nothing above it is showing oil streaming, so I think this is the area.
Read alot of threads about cam seal leaks and it only takes 15 minutes to replace.
However I have no idea where the cam is located from the front of this engine.
Engine bay is so damn tight and I can't get in there any better to see......

Does anyone have a Lexus 3.0L front engine image that shows the ID of all the components??
I'm not too savvy with the import motors at all.
Any help to ID this problem is GREATLY appreciated.
I'm out of a car until I fix my mothers problem.
I'm sure you guys know how it is taking care of your parents.

Here's the pic and the video.


Video which shows the oil streaming. This is from the wheel well with the flap removed.

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

holy thats a bad leak, could that possibly be the crank position sensor thats cracked and leaking that oil?

LeX2K

I think LiCelsior is right, that's the crank sensor but not 100% sure. Either way, pull off the harmonic balancer for better access and take a look. There is a good chance the epoxy around the connector has cracked or degraded, allowing oil to gush out.

You can tell for sure by looking at the wires going to it, they are shielded, the wires are either blue or black with a red stripe IIRC.

edit - there may be an o-ring or some king of gasket that is responsible as well, or it could be something else in that area. Either way I recommend you pull off the crank pulley to have a closer look. Also when I think about it, I'm not sure that sensor is exposed to the oil system, sorry I can't be of more help.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

It seems like it's coming down from higher above, notice the stains above the sensor

Aceshigh

Guys,

The black connector looks like it would be the crank sensor plug.
That's not where it's leaking. It's leaking from the white connector
right above it, and that goes into the block.

I am trying to find out what that white plug is for.
It's so hard to get to anything on this damn transverse mounted engine.
I'm used to working on V8's in bigger cars.

BTW I tried to drive it 5 miles to the nearest Toyota dealer to get an inspection.
Turns out, the damn thing is KNOCKING HARD randomly. Oil dipstick said it was full still.
It sat and idled fine for quite some time, but once I drove it......THUNK ......randomly.

My mother said it was making noise but I just assumed valvetrain rattling......this is bad.
I don't want to wipe a lobe out on the cam.

I looked at those. however I sat and watched the oil streaming from the white plug for more then a few minutes. I got a really close view (best I could) and I didn't see any oil coming from ABOVE the plug. But yes, I noticed there were oil stains all around from either wind or splashing who knows......sucks.

What I need is a engine assembly guide or something to help me rip it apart and investigate the issue. I got a bunch of DOC's from this forum before from another member on how to do the Timing belt change and Water Pump.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/6183899-post12.html

Aceshigh

I think once I get that lower pulley off I will be able to see this alot better.
I'm just debating if I want to attempt it before taking it to Toyota.

I'm going to probably go rent a tow dolly and drag it to Toyota to have it inspected for $110.
I'm just hoping they don't tell me the engine THUNK means it's shot.

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

if u can have it sitting there for a week or so then pull the pulley off and work on it.

Aceshigh

Turns out this was the oil sending unit sensor. I towed it to Toyota today.

It has an internal diaphragm according to the Toyota tech that blew.
It was pouring out of the sensor. He's seen it on rare occasions.

My valve covers were also leaking pretty badly he said which was a separate issue altogether.
Amazing this is a $50 set of seals but 5 hours of labor. This is why I like V8's.

Getting the timing belt, cam seals, drive belts, and water pump replaced also.
Just want it all done at once so I don't have to freak out about another repair.
They couldn't hear the THUNK I was talking about......

My luck they are going to do the repairs, charge me the $1200 and then realize it's thunking.

mdbrown

Trust me when I tell you a modern V-8 isn't much, if any, better to work on.

Aceshigh

It does depend on the vehicle.

I'm putting my 2nd LSX swap into a classic muscle car.
These things are a breeze to work with compared to transverse mounted pains in the ***.
My biggest gripe with the Lexus is having NO ROOM to work in the front of the engine and the
amount of labor involved for even valve cover gaskets. Seriously crazy......

400hp LY6 with L92 heads, LS7 clutch, T-56 6 speed manual going into my 1970 442.
Granted the classic engine bays are ALOT more wide open, but these engines don't bleed you dry on basic upkeep.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

Wow that's a gorgeous car. Do you have any more pictures, maybe a separate thread?

Aceshigh

I have a ton of pics.

I have no idea where I'd post a "Here's my other muscle car thread" on a Lexus forum.
If someone knows where a good place to be is, I'd gladly post up everything.

Here's a few links. It's a pro-touring vehicle.
Front
Rear
Interior 1
Interior 2
Me yanking the 1970 motor & trans for sale
My Pro-touring LSX 78 Camaro with the 442.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

Just post it in this section. I consider the ES300 subforum a place for ES owners to share their car stuff.

deanhavie

I knew those temp plates looked familiar. Where in IL are you? That subdivision looks to be in the northern burbs - I'm up in the gurnee/Grayslake area.

D-

Aceshigh

Schaumburg Area.