Hi Mud,
Just got this 2000 LC and took the engine cover off. I already wiped a bit of the grime off of the oil shaft and sides. I am getting ready to do the timing belt and water pump but I have to clean this first! I am guessing that the previous owner must have over filled the oil and had it come out the top and spilt, then just caked on here with some dirt? Or could this be a more prominent leak that was just never cleaned up. Currently there is no leaking and I have driven the LC about 400 miles. I did an oil change recently and didn't notice anything in the oil. You can see the difference around the valve covers from the pass vs drivers side.
I was planning to wipe what I can with a rag and then go over it with a brake kleen soaked rag to remove any leftover and really clean it. Maybe use a brush on any of the nooks and crannies. I am really hoping this wasn't because of a bad valve cover gasket that was then just fixed by retightening, but maybe I should replace those too.. The reason I think it was from the oil cap is because there was dirt and grime from oil covering the entire shaft, I just have already wiped it down in the photo.
Side note. I did notice there is some debris down underneath the air intake manifold where the starter rests, some pine needles and some feathers and a single shelled peanut!!! Anyone clean in there without removing the entire air intake manifold? Otherwise I might as well go in there too and replace the starter.
Thanks!
Alex
Just got this 2000 LC and took the engine cover off. I already wiped a bit of the grime off of the oil shaft and sides. I am getting ready to do the timing belt and water pump but I have to clean this first! I am guessing that the previous owner must have over filled the oil and had it come out the top and spilt, then just caked on here with some dirt? Or could this be a more prominent leak that was just never cleaned up. Currently there is no leaking and I have driven the LC about 400 miles. I did an oil change recently and didn't notice anything in the oil. You can see the difference around the valve covers from the pass vs drivers side.
I was planning to wipe what I can with a rag and then go over it with a brake kleen soaked rag to remove any leftover and really clean it. Maybe use a brush on any of the nooks and crannies. I am really hoping this wasn't because of a bad valve cover gasket that was then just fixed by retightening, but maybe I should replace those too.. The reason I think it was from the oil cap is because there was dirt and grime from oil covering the entire shaft, I just have already wiped it down in the photo.
Side note. I did notice there is some debris down underneath the air intake manifold where the starter rests, some pine needles and some feathers and a single shelled peanut!!! Anyone clean in there without removing the entire air intake manifold? Otherwise I might as well go in there too and replace the starter.
Thanks!
Alex
