GS671

Steering rack bushings went out, now this oil leak. Anyone know if this is the camshaft seal that is busted? Valve cover and Front Main seal has been changed 4 months ago.

lexybaby77

Looks like cam seal. This is what happened with me last week and I changed it and no more leaks.

Agent0024

iTrader: (4)

Either your cam seal or the O-ring on the VVTi pulley is done for. From the spread that oil, I'm leaning towards the broken O-ring on the VVTi pulley.

FrankT

Yep, VVTi cam gear...

GS671

I think I'll just have both changed. Thanks guys

willhickey

iTrader: (1)

dang that sucks that timing belt looks brand new....

GS671

yeah belts were also changed when the valve cover and front seal were changed

samboss260

I think that I had a similair problem, so keen to hear other people's resolution.

Had an oil leak, and replaced the cranl seals and cam cover seals. After 6 months styarted leaking from somewhere else, and it appeared to be from the actual cam itself (behind the timing belt).

Leak got progressively worse, and then car started cutting out on idle and also surging. Computer code spat out a VVTI error.

We ended up trading the car in, as we were told the cost would have been high, plus the car had other issues to be fixed. Car was 2000 model GS 300 and had 195,000 Km's on it.

Mike813

iTrader: (5)

^^ like they said it should be the vvti o-ring. this happened to my car as well when i had the timing belt job performed and not long after i noticed the same leak. it is a known problem for the gs300 and it gets worse as you continue driving. some folks are successful in repairing the o-ring with a gasket maker but imo i rather pay a little more and get a new vvti gear. there is a DIY on the board if you decide on using the gasket maker.

i remember i was flamed on the maintenance thread for telling folks to change the vvti cam while theyre at it with their 100k service. the shop will charge you again for labor just to change that if you dont know em or not notice there was a leak until weeks after. basically getting charged twice for the same work that couldve been prevented.