Oil Spillage - Need Some Help

[Blackford Oakes]

2013 LC200, 99k miles

I did my last oil change a week ago and managed to pour too fast (not a big fan of the 5qt jugs) and oil spilled from between the spout on the engine and the funnel. It was a bit of a mess.

I took the engine cover off this morning just to take a peek around and noticed that some oil seems to have seeped into the area to the behind the oil spout and to the left of the valve cover.

I removed these two bolts pictured below to try to move that piece a bit to get into that little valley and soak up some oil, but noticed that there some stems with o-rings that go into areas I’m not knowledgeable to be messing with.

I guess my question is it ok just to leave that oil there? There are electrical connections under the that piece that are of some concern.

Thanks guys.

 

[bloc]

That is your fuel rail and the electric bits are the injectors. Be careful with those o-rings as you definitely don't want a leak under there.

Personally I'd use a good engine degreaser like the standard strength Gunk, let it sit for a while, then rinse it while sucking the wastewater back out with a shop vac. If you totally flood the area it may end up under the intake manifold and while technically everything is waterproofed, I just wouldn't want that runoff collecting under there to cook off.

 

[tbisaacs]

As a long term owner with an old cam tower leak, you’re fine

 

[Blackford Oakes]

Thanks bloc.

I started to pull the piece up and then noticed those stems. One gasket went sideways, but I noticed and righted it. I don’t believe any oil seeped into the holes, but it’s possible. Any concern?

Also, what is the function of this whole area?

 

[Blackford Oakes]

As a long term owner with an old cam tower leak, you’re fine

I l’m wishfully thinking this is all overspill.

Can the oil in the cam tower leak pool here?

When I checked the usual spot on the back corner through the wheel well everything looked clean - no oil build up

I think if I do have it, I’m gonna have to get it fixed. I can't stand not having my truck sealed tight. I guess I’d probably just have them come preventatively reseal the valley plate too.

 

[bloc]

Any concern?

Also, what is the function of this whole area?

Which part came loose? There are technically two seals. One at the top of the injector that seals it into the fuel rail. This one sees 50+psi of fuel in some conditions. The lower seal under the injector seals the body of it to the intake port, and this one is mostly sealing intake vacuum from the atmosphere.

For the lower one I wouldn't be as worried about the oil as the grit and dirt that may have come with it. When you lifted the injector, did you see stuff go into that hole?

The whole area is just a product of the architecture.. they had to have a place for the fuel rails and injectors to live, they had to have a solid flat surface for the intake manifold to seal against, and it's all recessed because they needed more room up higher for the valvetrain under the valve cover.

As for preemptive valley plate? I'd say that isn't a great idea. Keep in mind that any time someone takes something apart, there is a statistical chance it doesn't get put back together correctly. If you do work that isn't necessary, you're taking on that risk for no reason. If it were already leaking, the risk is justified.

 

[Blackford Oakes]

Which part came loose? There are technically two seals. One at the top of the injector that seals it into the fuel rail. This one sees 50+psi of fuel in some conditions. The lower seal under the injector seals the body of it to the intake port, and this one is mostly sealing intake vacuum from the atmosphere.

For the lower one I wouldn't be as worried about the oil as the grit and dirt that may have come with it. When you lifted the injector, did you see stuff go into that hole?

The whole area is just a product of the architecture.. they had to have a place for the fuel rails and injectors to live, they had to have a solid flat surface for the intake manifold to seal against, and it's all recessed because they needed more room up higher for the valvetrain under the valve cover.

Thanks for the info, bloc.

Once I removed the two bolts, I pulled up a little bit on the fuel rail(?) - the long metal structure running top to bottom that the bolts secure. The injector towards the front of the truck came up and out and was the one where the gasket turned sideways. I saw nothing go down in there. The one towards the back of the motor I believe did not come out fully.

Understood, regarding the valley plate job. If I decided to have that job done @Trollhole is only a hour and half away. He’d be the guy I would trust to do it.

BTW, anyone know the torque for those two 10mm bolts?

 

[yOHda]

If I wasn’t 100% sure what I was doing, I might would have someone more knowledgeable look at things before I just jump in and go.

I see far too many cars on fire on the side of the road to question if o rings/injectors are properly seated.

I may be overthinking it. But better safe than sorry.

 

[tbisaacs]

Can the oil in the cam tower leak pool here?

No, it leaks above manifold

 

[Blackford Oakes]

If I wasn’t 100% sure what I was doing, I might would have someone more knowledgeable look at things before I just jump in and go.

I see far too many cars on fire on the side of the road to question if o rings/injectors are properly seated.

I may be overthinking it. But better safe than sorry.

Thanks @yOHda. I think I’m good. I let it run idle for about 10 minutes and don’t smell any gas. Maybe a little burning oil, but no gas.

 

[Blackford Oakes]

No, it leaks above manifold

Thanks. I just know the cam tower seam appears to be above the valley area underneath the fuel rail.

 

[ryanCA]

I can't stand not having my truck sealed tight.

might as well swap out the 5.7L, then