TLcoats

iTrader: (11)

So over the past few months i noticed a slight leak onto my driver side header heat shield. Then when i did an oil change last week i took off the undercover and found a pretty big pool of oil. It's NOT from the oil filter since i just changed that. But it seems to be coming from a seal on the engine. Does anybody know what it is and how to replace it? It seems to be a fairly big leak and is making a mess of my engine bay.

Heres some pics:

TLcoats

iTrader: (11)

Anybody know what this is!? Camshaft seal maybe?

alexdan

iTrader: (1)

hard to say ....could be a valve cover or could be the cam seal (hope is not the cam seal, thats a big job). i say start by cleaning it up with some brake cleaner and keep an eye on it for a few days.... i most likely say its the valve cover

Trouble-T

Hey did you ever figure out what was causing the problem? I checked my GS400 this morning and it is leaking from the exact location.

TLcoats

iTrader: (11)

Valve cover gasket. I changed it and it's no longer leaking.

lexybaby77

exactly what happened with mine!

Trouble-T

Ive changed my alternator, starter, and tensioner assembler pulleys on my own. Is it pretty easy to change the valve cover gasket and if so how long did it take?

lexybaby77

Its not hard at all. You just have to be careful because the plastics are brittle and tend to break easy due to heat. Took me about 2 hrs since I also change spark plugs, plug wires and a little cleaning.

GSquicksilver

happened to me too. i changed the valve cover gasket, but here's a twist: it turns out that the leak was caused by the VVT-i sprocket. my mechanic went through 3 valve cover gaskets, plus 3 cam seals with no luck. he finally observed that the actual VVT-i sprocket was actually leaking! the sprocket itself has a pressed face in the front, and after time (very rare and sucks it happened to my car) seeps out oil in between the plates. nothing you can do, but to change it.