Oil leak coming from under distributor cap??? Options

[Tech-Nics]

So I was at my grandmother's new house she just bought and when I was leaving to head home I noticed I left a small puddle of oil on her brand new drive way. Checked the oil level and it was very low. So I added more oil and then started looking for the leak and after removing the intake and searching with a flash light I noticed small steady oil drops falling from underneath the distributor cap. Could it be the O-Ring or CAM seal??? I'm not to good in this neck of the woods with engines. I know for sure though the oil leak is coming from the bottom side of the D-cap. How much is it to have it fixed or is it easy enough for me to do it??? Or leave it to the professionals that rape my wallet?

Any ideas/help ?????
Thanks guys.



This post has been edited by Tech-Nics: Nov 8, 2009 - 4:18 PM

[Bitter]

you need a new distributor O-ring.

[trdproven]

^ You can try that but usually that means the oil has already reached into the assembly where the coil is. There are two O-rings one on the engine side and one on the distributor side. I don't believe or know if they sell the distributor rebuild kit or O-ring replacement anymore, you can check. Worse case, if you don't correct it, it will soak and your car won't start.

[6G96GT]

I had my distributor o-ring seal replaced last year by my mechanic (he's a general mechanic, no specialized area). Easy fix, not too expensive. I got that done along with brakes and a tune up for about 350 bucks.

[Tech-Nics]

Yeah I hope my mechanic gives me a good deal with just doing this one thing. I've put a lot of money keeping this car running. I wish I could be putting of it making it look better. Thanks for the replies guys. I don't want to let this car go but if **** keeps going out on it. I'm going to sell it. hehe

[6G96GT]

I've put lots of money over two years to get my celica in prime condition. Well worth it!

[Tech-Nics]

Got it fixed. They replaced the whole distributor cause they said it needed to be replaced from the oil leaking into it. Another $700 out the bank!!!!

[bmj67]

wow you got robbed an new distributor is maybe $200 that means they charged you $500 to unhook 6 wires and pull one bolt.

[Tech-Nics]

Must be a New York thing then cause I called around to 5 different places that sell new distributors and the cheapest one I found was $450. The place I went to charged me $476 for a new one and then apparently took 2 hours to complete...LOL

[Bitter]

that is NOT a two hour job on a 5S-FE. you have two bolts and 2 connectors.

1. make a scribe mark to the head from the distributor so you can rematch the position with the new one.
2. take out a bolt
3. take out the other bolt
4. unplug one connector
5. unplug the other one
6. mark on the new cap where each cylinder is and mark each wire
7. pull wires 1-4
8. take the distributor out
9. put the new one in
10. put that **** back together


should take about 1 hours labor time.

[trdproven]

that is NOT a two hour job on a 5S-FE. you have two bolts and 2 connectors.

1. make a scribe mark to the head from the distributor so you can rematch the position with the new one.
2. take out a bolt
3. take out the other bolt
4. unplug one connector
5. unplug the other one
6. mark on the new cap where each cylinder is and mark each wire
7. pull wires 1-4
8. take the distributor out
9. put the new one in
10. put that **** back together


should take about 1 hours labor time.

I've done it in like 15 - 30 minutes. You take out the three bolts and the harness, then you put in the new one. I think theres three bolts, don't matter three or two is not a big difference, then you don't tighten the bolts all the way so you can adjust them to the proper timing, idle. Turn on the car and push it left or right, look at your RPM, when you feel its right, tighten it. Honestly, Ive noticed you sometimes can't use the same position from the last time, cus sometimes the last time was off or you need a better idle. Its an instinct thing too, did two distributor changes this year.

This post has been edited by trdproven: Nov 11, 2009 - 5:03 PM