justthefac

Recently had timing belt replaced on my GS300 and immediately had an oil leak coming from VVT gear. Just wondering how likely it is that the shop damaged the VVT gear and caused the leak when changing the timing belt. Thanks.

FrankT

How many miles on your GS and what year?

Very unlikely that the leak was caused by the Tbelt replacement.

justthefac

Sorry, I should have posted that information. It is a 1999 with 215,000 miles. I never had a drop of oil leak until timing belt change. Took it back first time and they replaced two cam shaft seals and a crank shaft seal thinking one of them was causing the leak but got it back and still leaking. Now are replacing VVT gear and are sure that is where leak was coming from. I know with that many miles it is time for things to be going out but just seemed odd that never had a leak until timing belt change.

FrankT

Have your mechanic save the old VVT cam gear and open it up. There you will see a brittle and hard Oring.

You could also try sourcing an Oring replacement and save the cost of a new cam gear.

I understand your frustration but with that many miles the scope of the work should have included the following as preventive maintenance; cam seals, reseal cam caps, valve cover gaskets, spark plugs, Tbelt, idler bearings, tensioner, crank seal, VVT cam gear(or reseal old gear) and water pump. I also suggest installing new alternator brushes and rebuilding the starter with new contacts and plunger.

I do a few of these jobs every year and this is what I advise for the second Tbelt replacement at 180,000 miles+.

offbad

iTrader: (5)

good info, thank you

justthefac

Thanks Frank, good info. I have done most of what you have suggested but there are a few things I need to do. They did show me the VVT gear and also the o ring that was most likely the culprit. I just hope it is fixed now and hopefully the front end of engine is in good shape now.