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My 1990 LS400 has a major oil leak, and I'm trying to figure out where it could be from.
I first thought it was from the Oil Filter area, but I cleaned it up and it's not coming from there.
My LS400 is an early production model, May 1989 I believe, before the official dates I could find.
ANY help is appreciated,
Thank you. Video and picture of car attached.
Video:
Serious leak. Clean the engine as much as possible then start it and watch carefully. First glance looks like crank seal but that is not a seal that generally leaks that badly.
The only way to know for sure is by removing the timing covers from the front of the engine.
But, based on the rapid flow and the proximity of the crank directly above in the video, I'd say the crank seal is a likely candidate.
For example, if it were coming from a cam seal, at least a foot higher, the flow would slow considerably as it washed down the front of the block and likely dispersed (sprayed) by rotating parts.
The crank seal is inexpensive and relatively easy to replace unfortunately there's a substantial amount of labor involved just to get to it.
Without a doubt in my mind, that's coming from your crank seal. That's the only thing above the oil leak.
The crank seal is only about $12 from the dealer but here's the work involved to change it; http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/engine/timingbelt.html I'll be doing mine next week, if it stays warm here.
Plus, with that much leaking inside there, you must have oil going on the timing belt.
Thanks YODAONE! Very helpful information needed to tackle this job.
Originally Posted by deanshark
Without a doubt in my mind, that's coming from your crank seal. That's the only thing above the oil leak.
The crank seal is only about $12 from the dealer but here's the work involved to change it; http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/engine/timingbelt.html I'll be doing mine next week, if it stays warm here.
Plus, with that much leaking inside there, you must have oil going on the timing belt.
Thank you deanshark, for the link! I'm glad it's inexpensive.
Originally Posted by CELSI0R
Welcome! Wow, that's a very early production model. How long have you had this car?
I agree with bradland. Might as well do a timing belt change at this point, since you'll have to take everything off to inspect it, too.
It looks like the crank seal based on the location and how fast it's coming out. I would not drive the car until the job has been done.
Thanks CELSI0R, I've had the car about 10 years now, made a mistake on the production date. June 1989, see picture.
Originally Posted by bradland
The only way to know for sure is by removing the timing covers from the front of the engine.
But, based on the rapid flow and the proximity of the crank directly above in the video, I'd say the crank seal is a likely candidate.
For example, if it were coming from a cam seal, at least a foot higher, the flow would slow considerably as it washed down the front of the block and likely dispersed (sprayed) by rotating parts.
The crank seal is inexpensive and relatively easy to replace unfortunately there's a substantial amount of labor involved just to get to it.
Thank you bradland, crank seal definitely looks like it now thanks for the explanation 👍
Wow, that's incredibly early as #1358! Probably the second month of production if I recall correctly.
Is your car equipped with the blue cloth interior too? Mine has grey cloth, and the headrests and seats from mine look very similar to yours. The leather headrests look a lot smoother at the seams, so the cloth has a very distinct appearance.
Seems like replacing the crank seal is regularly overlooked when doing the timing belt and water pump. Which is crazy cause it only takes about 5 minutes to replace after the water pump has been removed. I think I could actually replace it after removing the harmonic balancer, and lower timing cover if I needed too, but you can’t leave the old timing belt in there after it’s been soaking in all that oil.
Seems like replacing the crank seal is regularly overlooked when doing the timing belt and water pump. Which is crazy cause it only takes about 5 minutes to replace after the water pump has been removed. I think I could actually replace it after removing the harmonic balancer, and lower timing cover if I needed too, but you can’t leave the old timing belt in there after it’s been soaking in all that oil.
you can't remove the seal w/o removing the lower timing sprocket on the crank. you cannot remove the sprocket w/o removing (or at least loosening) the t-belt.
i agree the crank seal should be replaced during a t-belt replacement, and is not emphasized enough. i didn't do it and my driveway still bears the stains!
12-10-21, 10:36 AM
Help appreciated(1990 LS400) -oil leak
