1998 Toyota Camry oil leak

Tiny
RUSSREO
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 168,000 MILES
I have oil coming from behind what appears to be the timing chain cover, what do you think cause is?Can a clogged pcv valve cause an oil leak?
Friday, June 18th, 2010 AT 12:55 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,737 POSTS
Hi russreo. Welcome to the forum. A plugged pcv valve will not CAUSE an oil leak, but it can cause oil to be pushed out of a leak that was about to occur anyhow. It will increase leakage from a non-pressurized point where the oil drains down such as through a head gasket. It will not increase leakage from a pressurized point. In particular, a camshaft seal is probably the most likely suspect. You will have to remove the timing cover to see how high the oil is. The crankshaft seal is a common source of leakage too but the oil will all be down lower. You have to decide too if oil higher up is being flung from the crankshaft or if it is running down from the camshaft.

The valve cover is another possibility but there will usually be oil running around the front and back of the engine too.

Caradiodoc
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Friday, June 18th, 2010 AT 2:54 PM
Tiny
RUSSREO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you for your rapid response, I know the pcv valve is clogged becuse I tried to blow thru it with no luck, and last the procedures you suggested, cam shaft and crankshaft seal, are they pull the engine out and repair?Also if the new pcv valve I replace reduces the leak from 3 quart a trip leak down to a few drops, I can live with that until I can get money for the latter----thanks
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Friday, June 18th, 2010 AT 5:55 PM

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