Ishinc

Hey all

Our beloved 1999 GS300 is finally having major problems. Out of the 10+ years, the only other major problem was the squelching ASB sound, which I got fixed last year! The car has about 280,000 miles and I think this GE's life is almost over. I replaced the plugs last weekend and I found a few of the plugs to be really oily. Then the car had a bit of a hard time idling in the morning. Kinda rough. My first thought was, the piston rings are shot, time for rebuild or engine transplant. I then read it could be leaky valves or bad seals. Would any of those make sense, because not all the plugs were oily? I also don't think any smoke is coming out of the exhaust....

Where would I start looking for a new (used) engine? The rest of the car is in great shape! How much would that run me? I am located in the Bay Area, Cali.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

It's probably leaking seals. Is it wet at just the tip or is it on the spark plug socket too?

I had the same problem on a different car and it ended up being leaking spark plug tube seals. It would take a while to crank in the morning. If I tried to start it again within 15 minutes, it'll start right away because the oil didn't have a chance to make it to the plugs yet.

The 2JZ-GE engine is damn bulletproof. I highly doubt there is an issue with the mechanics of it.

Ishinc

It looks like the tip and the plug's threads are oily.

I did notice that after driving it for a bit, the car starts up no problems and drives fine.

Any chance you have a pictures of where the seals are? I'm having a hard time picturing them.....

EN_VY

My car looked the same when I changed my plugs. Did you also replace the cables that go to the spark plugs? You may have damaged some. Also, do you have tje check engime light on?

Ishinc

The wires are the original, which part of the wire could I of damaged? Can that cause oil to go into the cylinders?

So far no check engine lights...

GS4_Fiend

iTrader: (22)

Yea do check the spark plugs O-Ring. The one that is on top of the valve cover.

Ishinc

Thanks for the help!

I'm guessing I have to remove the valve cover to see these o-rings, right? How do I tell if the o-rings are worn??

AshburnM3

go and buy the valve cover gasket kit-comes with valve cover gasket and o-rings, replace them all, no need to inspect. replace the spark plugs while you are at it.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Even if you remove the valve cover, chances are given the age of the car, they'll be too old to be reused anyways.

carbongs

iTrader: (13)

I've done this for several other GS owners. If you have it open you might as well replace what you can

Ishinc

Thanks for all the input. Can you guys direct me to a good kit to buy? I found a few but I don't think it has everything I need.

92sc300nj

iTrader: (1)

i can almost guaruntee that your problem is leaking valve cover gaskets running down to the spark plugs causing a situation your getting. id get new lexus (toyota) valve covers because they are cheap and doing an ignition tune up with wires and plugs again (again from lexus) should run fine. also try and do an emissions service to remove all carbon build up from the engine. have you done your timing belt or water pump lately?

Ishinc

If the valve cover seals were leaking, would I be able to see oil all over my plug wires and in the spark plug cylinders? The spark plug alley looked pretty clean. Also, if oil leaked into the spark plug area, can it really penetrate into the cylinders??

92sc300 - timing belt and pump has been changed not too long ago. Are you recommending I change the entire valve cover or just the seals?

FrankT

Ishinc...
You need to specify what part of the plug is oily...is it the tip that goes inside the motor?

By your first post you say you pulled the plugs and some were oily and then it idle rough.
This leads me to believe it is valve stem oil seals, which are in the head and with the mileage on the motor not uncommon that they leak into the combustion chamber.

...and yes it could also be leaky valve cover gaskets.

Ishinc

Sorry, let me clarify, the part that is oily is the part inside the engine, the tip and ceramic portion.

Valve stem oil seals sound like a big job...?