bgross88

Hey guys,
I recently changed the oil in my 2000 RX300. I went with Valvoline Synpower 05-30, with a K&N Filter. I got what I deserved for buying what was on sale, and not using what I always use(Pennzoil Platinum 05-30).

After 3 days, I've got a pretty good leak from somewhere. It's not just a drip or two. I don't think it's the rear main seal, but could be wrong. It's not leaking from around the filter-I already checked. I stole this picture from another thread. The areas circled in red have a nice coating of oil on them.


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I suck with photos/attachments, but hopefully this came thru.

Anyway, I recently replaced the valve cover gaskets, so I don't think it's them. It appears to be the oil pan gasket, but I'm not sure how that would throw oil towards the front of the car

If anyone has experienced a leak in this area before, I'd like to hear about it. I am going to look at it more closely tonight, but figured it was worth a post on here as well.

Thanks!

salimshah

It took a while to get the right perspective (hopefully) ,,, the pictures seem be from below the engine looking up.

If so:

The spot is almost below the filter. It can be the left over spilled oil from filter change or a leak at the filter after install.

Few things that must be done during filter change are ...
When you remove the old filter, make sure the old O ring or gasket has come off.
Wipe clean the seat of the filter (where filter goes).
Oil the new filter gasket with fresh oil.
Face the new filter (must be spun in by fingers) and turn 3/4 turn more. Both overtightened and under tightened filter will leak.

I would take cleaner like Simple Green and clean everything. Check dipstick level and then monitor daily for drop of level or accumulation of oil.


Hope it helps.

Salim

hypervish

I think that may just be left over oil from when you took the oil filter off.

Do what Salim said, and clean everything up really well.

bgross88

Salim..you are correct..that is the angle of the picture from below the engine, looking up, from the front of the vehicle.

Thanks, guys. I did that last night. Pulled the filter again, checked that it was seated properly, washed/cleaned everything down with Simple Green and took a test drive.
After 20 mins, there was oil on the subframe, and the area highlighted again. Once the engine cooled down, I also reached under the filter and verified there was nothing dripping from the filter/housing/etc.

I'm going to do what Salim suggested, and keep checking the level daily.

Worst case, I might just go get Pennzoil, and drain/refill it. If that doesn't work, I might do an Auto Rx treatment. I'll monitor for a few days and report back.

Sorry I wasn't clearer in my original post, but as always, I appreciate your help.

LeoDLion

Did you use a new crush washer for the oil drain plug? Are you sure the old one is not still there together with the new one?

thomas1

Did you clean high up on the head by the valve cover....Oil will residual there....

kalali

I highly doubt the choice of oil has anything to do with your leak issue especially using the same viscosity range oil. Look elsewhere.

hypervish

Could it be the hydraulic engine mount leaking?

bgross88

Upon further review, I'm pretty sure the engine mount is the cause. Dumb luck it happened following an oil change.

I'm going to keep an eye on it for one more day, but almost positive it's the mount.

Thanks, guys.

kalali

Excuse my ignorance but would the hydraulic engine mount leak engine oil? I would have expected a much heavier fluid and may be just a few ounces of it.

hypervish

No, the hydraulic engine mount would leak hydraulic fluid (i.e. something like transmission fluid, brake fluid, etc).

Some of the oil could have been from when the oil filter was removed, and the rest from the engine mount.

I'm not saying it is the hydraulic engine mount, but it's just a thought that I had. The mount might be perfect, so hope the OP takes it somewhere to confirm the mount is definitely leaking and nothing more serious.

edupim

HI, i notice that the my rx300 oil level in going down, about 1 liter / 300 miles.
Is that normal. the mileage is 93000
thanks for any post
Eduardo

kalali

Technically you're losing your entire oil supply every 1500-2000 miles. You either have a massive leak or burning significant amount of oil. Do a search and read up on "sludge". There was a long thread about folks reporting massive oil loss and the potential root causes. Either way, this is absolutely not normal. For comparison, the oil level on my '03 RX300 with 169K miles basically remains unchanged after every 5000 miles when it gets replaced.