IS - 1st Gen (2001-2005) Discussion about the IS models up to the 2005 model

Burning oil smell

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Old 05-29-12, 11:07 AM
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squeaks638
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Default Burning oil smell

I am new to the lexus is300 and am looking to buy one. I went and drove one today that has a very problems but the most worrisome one being a burning oil smell coming from under the hood. The owner tells me it is the cam seals, but I am not sure about that. There is old oil on the intake side of the block and motor mount. He said this is from the valve cover gasket that he changed. Before I move forward I just wanted to see if anyone had any ideas. The other things are small but the oil smell bothers me
Old 05-29-12, 02:31 PM
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Dori562
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could be cam seals. but it could be other things also like a slow leaking head gasket ect. i would be very careful and have a friend that knows what he or she is looking at. just to give a more definite answer
Old 05-29-12, 06:50 PM
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squeaks638
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Originally Posted by Dori562
could be cam seals. but it could be other things also like a slow leaking head gasket ect. i would be very careful and have a friend that knows what he or she is looking at. just to give a more definite answer
Yeah I am going to put it up on a rack before I move ahead. The headgasket is my biggest worry.
Old 05-29-12, 07:34 PM
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mitsuguy
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I've never seen any car with a head gasket leaking externally so much as to cause this type of issue...

The 2JZ is a relatively easy motor to find oil leaks on, as there are very few places it can leak from... you have cam seals, crank seal (front and rear) and valve cover seals... those are your slow leak areas - problem with cam or crank seals is that they will require a timing belt job, which can be pricey if you can't do it yourself... valve cover seals are pretty easy, though they do require removal of the upper intake and throttle body to get to them...

on the driver side cam, you will find the variable valve timing actuator - it is a potential source of high pressure leak, though it is not common to leak - there is a metal feed line off the side of the engine block... as it is on the intake side, probably not the source...
Old 05-29-12, 08:44 PM
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squeaks638
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Originally Posted by mitsuguy
I've never seen any car with a head gasket leaking externally so much as to cause this type of issue...

The 2JZ is a relatively easy motor to find oil leaks on, as there are very few places it can leak from... you have cam seals, crank seal (front and rear) and valve cover seals... those are your slow leak areas - problem with cam or crank seals is that they will require a timing belt job, which can be pricey if you can't do it yourself... valve cover seals are pretty easy, though they do require removal of the upper intake and throttle body to get to them...

on the driver side cam, you will find the variable valve timing actuator - it is a potential source of high pressure leak, though it is not common to leak - there is a metal feed line off the side of the engine block... as it is on the intake side, probably not the source...
Yeah I am going to change out the cam seals if I buy it. I am able to do those things on my own. I am taking it to a local shop tomorrow so I can get underneath it to check for a leak. I just hope there is nothing I miss. I really am excited about the is300.
Old 05-31-12, 09:14 PM
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squeaks638
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Now I am torn do I want the IS300 or do I want a 98 gs400 with 215000 on it. Both cost about the same. choices choices
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