What is the most common cause of an engine oil leak on my 2003 4 cyl. camry?

Asked by l_1s_2 Mar 01, 2013 at 09:35 AM about the 2003 Toyota Camry LE

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I start my engine and let it run for 1hr. and there is no oil leak while sitting still, however, when I drive it down the road for a couple of miles, I notice that oil puddles up the side of the engine facing forward and also on the top of the bell housing which is located on the drivers side, since this is a front wheel drive vehicle.  I smell burning oil when I am driving.  I loose approximately . 1/2 quart every 1000 miles.

6 Answers

100

Have you recently had an oil change? If so, There is a raised rubber seal around the opening of the oil filter. This seal goes directly against the block when the oil filter is installed. It is supposed to provide a seal between the oil filter and the block. Sometimes when replacing the oil filter, inexperienced techs will neglect to make sure that the seal from the old oil filter has come off intact with the old filter. Sometimes it sticks to the block and you have to scrape it off. If a new filter is installed while the old seal is stuck to the block, instead of having a rubber to block seal, you have rubber to rubber contact. Oil will not escape from the rubber to rubber contact when your car is parked or just idling, but when you start to drive, and engine pressure builds, the pressurized oil will begin to spray from between the rubber to rubber contact. Check it out. This could be the cause of what you are describing.

10 people found this helpful.
175,825

Another common oil leak source is the oil pressure sending unit. It could be that it only leaks when there is a higher oil pressure present such as when you're driving.

5 people found this helpful.
16,735

IF YOU LOOK ON BACKSIDE OF BELT SIDE OF ENGINE THERE IS A METAL CAP WITH TWO NUTS HOLDING IT ON. THAT'S YOUR TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER THE O-RING IN THERE LEAKS OFTEN ON 4 CYLINDER TOYOTAS AND IS AROUND $10-15 AND ABOUT 10 MIN TO REPLACE. IT IS RIGHT BELOW VALVE COVER AT TOP OF REAR ENGINE.

17 people found this helpful.
20

My daughters car is also a 2007 Toyota Camry. She is experiencing the same problem. No oil will be found in the driveway, but the more she drives it the more oil she has to add every week or so. We’ve had oil changes and the problem still persists. One mechanic did tell us that it was common in this year make and model of car. I’m at my end because were spending so much money on oil And the problem is still there

2 people found this helpful.

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