valve cover or Cam tower leak? (1 Viewer)

[3DZs]

About to buy this GX for a decent discount, I just want to know what I am getting into. Are you able to tell if this is a valve or cam tower leak?

 

[3DZs]

More information: 2019 about 98000 miles, ok maintenance history listed on both Lexus site and carfax

 

[Acrad]

Are we looking at rear on passenger side?

Does it look like oil residue is spreading up from cam tower gasket or down from valve cover?

 

[r2m]

Looks only like seepage and not a leak. If it's only seepage, and just a little residue, I'd say pull the trigger and get it, if everything else looks good.
But as mentioned above, it's hard to give you an answer without more info on the vehicle.

 

[Hehena]

I had a weep around 70k... started using "high mileage" oil and it stopped. Still going strong at 115k.

 

[Hiluxforever]

I had the oil leak with the timing cover and it was a lot. WAY kore than that. If its has otherwise a good maintenance history, its probably fine. As long as its not too bad I would wait to see if it develops another issue and do both at the same time.

I did the valley plate and timing cover reseal at the same time and it saved about 2k.

Keeping this truck forever. Its a beast.

 

[Acrad]

IMO, I’d be more inclined to address a cam tower oil leak well before tackling a timing cover leak—assuming neither causes significant oil loss. The reason being the smell of burning oil into HVAC off the exhaust manifolds from cam tower leak.

 

[Hiluxforever]

IMO, I’d be more inclined to address a cam tower oil leak well before tackling a timing cover leak—assuming neither causes significant oil loss. The reason being the smell of burning oil into HVAC off the exhaust manifolds from cam tower leak.

The timing cover was close to a quart every 1k. The ARB skids hid it, some. I had thought I was not getting the oil filter assembly tight and they diagnosed it when it took it in for the valley plate. Not a pleasant surprise.

 

[3DZs]

went to the dealership with the bank check today. I checked the vehicle over again, verified that the car has a leaking cam tower and leaking at 1 drop per approximately 10 min. it was hard to turn away from the price, but for my use right now I need to buy a vehicle that's in better condition. If anyone wants to a deal on a 2019 with less than 100K mi for less than 30k out the door let me know. thank you all for the input.

 

[Hiluxforever]

Good luck with shopping, there should be one of these out there thats got zero issues where it counts.

 

[r2m]

Yeah, six drops an hour will stain a driveway and cause you to add oil between maintenance. That's more than I'd buy in for.
Good choice to walk away, unless you had the extra funds to have that fixed straight away.

 

[swild]

Looks like a little of both. If you're gonna keep the GX for more than 3 years, I'd pull the trigger and get it handled. If you are looking to do it yourself, it's a hell of a job, but doable. Plenty of resources on here on how to do it if you're curious.

 

[Acrad]

I would have passed too. Not something I want to take on with a vehicle I just acquired.

 

[3DZs]

Update, i found a single-owner 2020 with higher mileage but no leaks or mechanical issues. It took a little bit to find and had to drive 8 hours to get it, but overall worth it. thank you all for the input

 

[Hiluxforever]

Update, i found a single-owner 2020 with higher mileage but no leaks or mechanical issues. It took a little bit to find and had to drive 8 hours to get it, but overall worth it. thank you all for the input

Nice! I wheel the **** out of mine, its at 145k and everything is still mint.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

Nice! I wheel the **** out of mine, its at 145k and everything is still mint.

Almost 197k and same. Bone ass dry. My original shocks are still good and not leaking. If it wasnt for the valley plate I wouldn't of ever had any leaks of any kind.

 

[nodashi]

Anyone got any info on repair a cam tower seal? Looking to DIY it.

 

[Acrad]

Anyone got any info on repair a cam tower seal? Looking to DIY it.

A

Thread 'DIY - GX460 Valve Covers, Cam Towers, Coolant Valley and Timing Cover'

Mar 12, 2024

I acquired a 2012 GX460 (177k miles) with multiple leaks and figured I would tear the engine down to address the valve covers, cam towers, coolant valley leak and the timing cover all at once.

I have never done an in-depth write up and only decided to this after the fact so we'll see if it proves to be useful or not.

Quick note about the style of this document: I took pictures along the way and I draw freely on those pictures to remind me quantity of fastener/clip and rough orientation/location. I apologize to no man for the layout. It's what works for me.

I used a roll of painters tape...

• agentmm
• Replies: 98
• Forum: GX460 / Prado150

•