I have a 2002 ES300, with VVT 3.0 engine. Yesterday i replaced the ac compressor, and when i started it up it dumped about 4quarts of oil on the floor in 5 minutes. Upon further investigation i found it coming from a metal cover on the front of the block just to the left of the oil filter. Its round, has a gasket, with 2 nuts that are on 2 studs that are part of the block.

So my question is, what is it? Lol. I have no idea what to tell the parts store to get a gasket. My guess is it was an older model part location that they moved/removed and capped it off. Thanks in advance!

 

Is it 11492C?
PLATE, WATER SEAL PLATE, WATER SEAL
part # 1149220010

 

That's it, i couldnt find it on a diagram anywhere. Ill search that thank you!

 

Is that a lexus part number? I cant find it online, is there a link for that diagram? Thanks

 

http://www.lexussouthatlantaparts.co...driveLine=8065

Its OEM Toyota/Lexus

 

And what leaked out of that exact spot was engine oil? And not possibly the oil filter area?

That looks more like a "freeze plug" or add on for block heater. Meaning, there should be engine coolant coming out of that specific location.

Google "coolant leak at plate for Block Heater 2004" & "coolant leak at plate for block heater above oil filter" - discussions on this part in general (even though it may not be the exact engine)

Also look at https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...lant-leak.html
with in the thread, look at post #13 and #16

 

So that plate did in fact seal the coolant jacket for the block (oops). So i resealed that and looked closer and it seems to be coming out from behind the compressor that i replaced. So new question is... do the compressor bolts go through into the block? Or the bolts for the mounting bracket?
Ill be bitting the bullet and taking everything that i had apart, apart again and checking everything. Looks like there's a gasket behind the mounting bracket that may have failed. Ill update when i know what i did wrong lol

 

Also this is not a drip, it is squirting at a rappid pace, so i cant see a crossthreaded bolt leaking that much

 

So problem found... it seems the 4 compressor bolts are 2 different lengths, so i put a long bolt where a short bolt went. It went through the mounting bracket, and drilled and tapped a beautiful 3/8 hole in the engine block...

Moral of the story kids = ALWAYS make note of where parts come from when replacing something.

Thanks for all the replies and advice.

 

WOW - how are you going to fix THAT??

 

A bolt bored a hole into the block? I highly doubt this.

 

I'd like to know how much torque was applied!!
MAYBE it's built that way and some kind of sealant needs to be put on the bolt to seal it - maybe.

 

Oh man. That sucks. I've seen this once before on an ES330. You don't really need a lot of torque on that to break through it because that is a built in oil galley from the oil pump to the oil filter and it's really thin. Like 1mm thin.

 

Yes, the 5/16 compressor bolts are two different sizes, and yes, the long one actually punched through and tapped a whole in the very thin, very soft aluminum oil passage.
After weighing everything from replacing the engine, to finding an aluminum welder (which would create more problems if he burned through this thin material).
I tapped the whole to 3/8-16 threads, cut down a stainless steel bolt, and put JB Weld everywhere. Then grinded off some of the compressor bracket to accommodate (its a tight fit so the bolt wont back out with vibration)

3 days and 250 miles later - no leaks, silent compressor, and ice cold A/C

 

Nice work and what an ingenious solution! Does it block off the passageway or is it simply sealing the outside wall?