t&mlexus Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 purchased 2003 ES300 with approx 130K miles..runs smooth but when stopped can smell oil burning. Not seeing any drips in garage. What might this mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spalkin Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 After a drive, when the engine is cool enough to touch, slip your hand behind the rear valve cover. You're looking for oil. This is a common situation for these engines. The engine is mounted in a tilted way so the front valve cover is about horizontal and the rear one is leaned way back. After years, the valve cover seals dry out and leak. The rear sees all the leaking because it's tilted so far back. The oil is running down the back of the engine and burning as it hits the exhaust. You may not see any dripping because it's burning, plus as soon as you stop the engine, this leak stops. Changing out the VC seals is easy. Getting to the rear one is a whole production. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t&mlexus Posted October 21, 2008 Author Share Posted October 21, 2008 After a drive, when the engine is cool enough to touch, slip your hand behind the rear valve cover. You're looking for oil. This is a common situation for these engines. The engine is mounted in a tilted way so the front valve cover is about horizontal and the rear one is leaned way back. After years, the valve cover seals dry out and leak. The rear sees all the leaking because it's tilted so far back.The oil is running down the back of the engine and burning as it hits the exhaust. You may not see any dripping because it's burning, plus as soon as you stop the engine, this leak stops. Changing out the VC seals is easy. Getting to the rear one is a whole production. Good luck! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcpartsguy Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Same thing happened to mine, I changed the VCG's and the plugs while I was in there and took care of it. Runs like new! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bltprf502 Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Did you just get your oil changed? If so that could be it. Some shops don't drop the plate under the filter (they get lazy...). I have had this happen a few times. If thats not it then good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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