LX470 Driver Side Bank 1 Fuel Leak Soaking Wet

[Kamran Khan]

Would like to get your input on finding fuel leak on bank 1 driver side of the engine. This morning when I started the car, I started smelling strong smell of fuel, upon removal of the engine cover I saw left side injector rail completely soaking wet from fuel. I immediately shut off the car.
I was curious to find where it's coming from, I got a flash light and turned on the car and the leak wasn't there anymore, I even raced the engine but still now luck finding the culprit. I believe it might be some rubber seal that stops leaking when the engine gets hot.
Could it be injector seals? Please help me finding this culprit. I am now going to wait for the car till it gets completely colds and I will try to look for the leak upon cranking it. Right now the temperature outside is 30 degrees Fahrenheit -1 degree Celsius. Please check the photos below.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Likely old crusty injector o-ring(s) shrinking when cold, resulting in leakage, then expanding when warm and not leaking. I would pull both fuel rails and all the injectors, replace all injector o-rings, insulators, and the fuel rail gaskets. Definitely would not start it or drive it until fixing the leak, or it’ll go up in flames.

 

[Kamran Khan]

Likely old crusty injector o-ring(s) shrinking when cold, resulting in leakage, then expanding when warm and not leaking. I would pull both fuel rails and all the injectors, replace all injector o-rings, insulators, and the fuel rail gaskets.

Would like your guidance on removing injectors from VVTi 2uz. I looked at the free online shop manual but it’s kind of not very detailed. I was thinking to get alldata subscription for a month but not sure if alldata has good service manual for Toyota.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

I’ve not worked on a vvti 2uz but I can’t imagine the fuel rails and injectors are much, if any, different than the non-vvti 2uz. The bolt on the back of the intake manifold can be a little tricky to get to but it is otherwise a relatively simple job.

 

[awesomeissquid]

Biggest tip is you might need to bend the engine lift hooks to remove the fuel rail smoothly.

 

[Kamran Khan]

Biggest tip is you might need to bend the engine lift hooks to remove the fuel rail smoothly.

Lift hooks are bolted. I can remove the hook in case if that’s in the way of fuel rail. The parts are going to arrive in 5 days. Local store is selling o ring set for 1 injector for 15 dollars. Until parts arrive I am trying to look for guidance tips.

 

[saucebox]

Haven't done the job myself, so I don't know specifically what page it might be on, but the factory manual is usually good to get started: LC100 Workshop Manual - https://lc100e.github.io/

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Local store is selling o ring set for 1 injector for 15 dollars.

Below is my parts list from when I overhauled my 2000’s fuel system a few years ago. Some part numbers may be different for your 2006, but the parts will be needed.

For each injector you’ll need 1 of the following:
Vibration insulator (2329141010)
Grommet (9048013005)
O-ring (9030107024)

When you pull the fuel rails you’ll also need four of these washers for the Union bolts on the front crossover pipe, as they are not a reusable part: 9043012026

There are two soft hoses on the rear crossover pipe and now would be the absolute best time to preventatively replace them:
Driver side No. 1 hose (2327350020)
Passenger side No. 2 hose (2327150160)

Now would also be the ideal time to replace the fuel filter and clip:
Filter (2330050090)
Clip (9092307002)

Word of caution: Be very, very careful not to bend the pipe/hose on the driver side that goes from the fuel filter to the fuel pressure damper. But if you do bend it, you can still get a new one from Toyota for around $50-70 (2327150150).

 

[Kamran Khan]

I found the culprit. It’s injector number 3.

 

[awesomeissquid]

If one went, I would really recommend replacing all of the gaskets.

 

[Kamran Khan]

I am replacing all. Removing fuel injectors is easier than spark plugs. I already removed the driver side at the mean time filming it too, so future if someone replacing it can use my video for guidance

 

[Kamran Khan]

Here is the video link to fuel injector removal on all 2UZ-FE with VVTI
Lexus LX470 Fuel Injector Removal

 

[Kamran Khan]

Hi guys, I bought MAHLE B31696 injector O rings set from rockauto but upon inspection I don't think it will fit my car's injectors, the O ring set mentioned by junkcrzr89 seems like isn't going to fit either.
My oem injectors has tiny o ring on the top tip and I can't find that anywhere on internet. OEM injector part number is 23250-50060.
Here the photos of OEM injectors and MAHLE B31696.

 

[saucebox]

From https://partsouq.com/en/catalog/genuine/unit?c=LEXUS00&ssd=$*KwFwRFVObxUjIi90ED9aISg8HBsFdHt2d2V7STlhMGd4YR5kNzdqYHl1ODw2LSJbbishKiBneHJoZH18bWB5ZndwcnVkNzdgLGF-Z3BxdnUpJUhgPjozKycEPTl8fWB5ZhMLDWZqOXx6YHlmDxYJDBIrJV5wcHdwcHp0dyg3JWAgJ2d4YXN_KSE8cmFoZy8gZnw5QFMIcnR1Dm4DCFpSQgNhaGckKiBkISd0AAAAAKEUYLY=$&vid=0&cid=&uid=388697&q=JTJHT00W233529013...

I think that o-ring is 90301-07024. I used my '03 VIN to get there, worth verifying with your VIN.

 

[Kamran Khan]

The arrow I point at in the photo above is I believe a non replaceable part and is not made of rubber but of plastic. What is weird is that all the injectors I removed from the car are missing Grommet (9048013005).

 

[JunkCrzr89]

What is weird is that all the injectors I removed from the car are missing Grommet (9048013005).

Either the grommets are still stuck inside the fuel rails or whoever did the starter or valve cover gaskets last forgot to put them on. They are a required part to prevent excessive vibration that could lead to leaks.

 

[Kamran Khan]

None of the either side rails has grommet stuck nor I found them on injectors and due to this reason I bet it was leaking fuel. I bought this car a year and half ago with 136k miles and now the car has 140k miles. It is a total divine intervention from God that it never caught fire and burned the house and killed my family.

 

[Kamran Khan]

By the way I did the valve cover job few months ago and I didn't remove injectors for it, nor it requires fuel rail or injector removal for taking out valve cover.

 

[AlpineAccess]

Something's not right.

1. There is no typical repair done at 135k which necessitates removing the fuel rail. So it being serviced at all is odd.
2. If every injector seal was missing on the rail it is a shock it held fuel pressure at all. I can't understand how the motor ran.

 

[Kamran Khan]

Something's not right.

1. There is no typical repair done at 135k which necessitates removing the fuel rail. So it being serviced at all is odd.
2. If every injector seal was missing on the rail it is a shock it held fuel pressure at all. I can't understand how the motor ran, period.

The engine ran smooth but it's mpg was horrible. Fuel tank use to get empty in couple week just doing 5 miles school run.