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Our 15 GX has started experiencing a burning smell after the car has warmed up. First thing that came to mind are valve cover gaskets, as they are prone to leaking. The car has 116k and idles rough periodically. I know it’s due for plugs at 120k anyway, so the rough idle doesn’t surprise me. Plugs have never been done.
I checked the valve cover gaskets with a light and mirror. I crawled under the car behind the RF wheel and found this leak….right above the exhaust. Looks like it might be lower than the valve cover. Please tell me it’s not a cam tower or something major.
The upper (valve cover) gasket looks dry. What worries me is I’ve seen threads with that exact same pic/leak on that bolt as being a cam tower leak, as it meets the cylinder head. It’s only on the right side. I’m going to be furious if it’s a $4k-$6k repair. We have 3 Lexus vehicles—the GX, my 14 LS460 with 87k (weekend car), and my daily commuter, an 11 ES350 UL with the ML—205k and it’s been the best, most reliable car I’ve ever owned.
I’ve already spent $1500 x 2 for valley plate re-seals on the GX and LS. I swear by Lexus and know German cars are no comparison when it comes to money; but this is becoming ridiculous.
The upper (valve cover) gasket looks dry. What worries me is I’ve seen threads with that exact same pic/leak on that bolt as being a cam tower leak, as it meets the cylinder head.
This is possible unfortunately. Wash the oil off and look at it every few days you'll get a much better idea.
This is possible unfortunately. Wash the oil off and look at it every few days you'll get a much better idea.
Carefully power wash the area in question to remove ALL oil residue ... let completely dry ... then spray Gold Bond Foot Powder in the area ... a thick even coat of jet-white powder ... then start the engine ... any fluid leak will quickly turn the jet-white powder dark ... an easy way to visually pinpoint the source.
... then spray Gold Bond Foot Powder in the area ... a thick even coat of jet-white powder ... then start the engine ... any fluid leak will quickly turn the jet-white powder dark ... an easy way to visually pinpoint the source.
... a mechanic's trick ... was powder deordarant back in the day ... smelled "nice" ... not my preference, but effective. Customers would ask ... "why does my car smell like" ... all about power washing after using as a visual diagnostic ... nothing worse than your car smelling like an 80's manly man
Gold Bond Foot Powder has absolutely no scent ... so all good ...
08-30-24, 10:09 PM
Valve Cover Gasket Leak or Worse?
