MX83 Cressida engine oil leak

[petergoudie]

My MX83 is leaking oil somewhere below the distributor. I initially thought it was the o-ring on the distributor but it made no difference after I replaced it. The leak does not appear to be from the crankshaft pulley as its higher than the pulley nor is it from the power steering pump.

I also replaced the cam cover rubber gaskets and this did nothing for the oil leak either.

I can't see where the leak is coming from without removing more parts although my thoughts are now that it might be the exhaust camshaft seal (except there is no oil spray around the top of the cam belt cover) or from the back of the aluminium water pump housing which I think bolts onto the front of the block.

Does anyone have any suggestions? If it is the water pump housing is there a paper gasket behind it on the front of the block?

[andrew_mx83]

there are 2 seals in the dizzy. the o ring and another seal inside which you have to take the dizzy apart to replace.

easier to jst get a dizzy that does not leak and replace it

[petergoudie]

Thanks Andrew. I presume that second seal is an o-ring on the rotating distributor shaft.

If it is that second seal leaking, will the oil flow out of the bottom of the dizzy near the mounting flange or inside to the distributor cap then back out somewhere near the join of the distributor cap. As far as I can see, its clean inside the cap & rotor.

Can you confirm it is an o-ring because I might replace it as the ring should not be expensive even as a genuine part as the other large o-ring was only about $2.50 or so.

Also, I hope I don't have to remove the drive gear to get to the o-ring?

[takai]

Check the 4AGE dizzy replacement thread, the 7M is mostly similar.

[Viper]

Had to do this in mine.
The Dizzy needs to be ripped apart to get to the oil seals.

Not too expensive, but requires a press and possibly some machining if the seal no longer makes good contact between the shaft and housing.

[petergoudie]

Dear Viper. Where did you buy the seal from? Do you have a part number or dimensional description as I would like to have it before I pull the dizzy apart.

Dear Takai, I looked at the 4M thread and it mentioned a parts kit from Canada. I went to the Canada site and it shows a sealed ball bearing in the kit. Is there a ball bearing inside the dizzy. If so. Its unusual.

[takai]

On the 4A ones it is, not quite unusual, the entire rotating assembly is sitting a fair way out off the interface and unsupported without the bearing.

[Viper]

Dear Viper. Where did you buy the seal from? Do you have a part number or dimensional description as I would like to have it before I pull the dizzy apart.

Sorry mate, dont have those.
I attempted it myself on a spare unit, busted it real good.

So I just dropped it off and $180 laters was all done.

[petergoudie]

Dear Takai, the kit shown for the 7MGE included a ball bearing. Possibly it was a generic photo. The price was $24.99 Canadian about $29 Australian

[petergoudie]

Accidentially sent the same message twice. Sorry

[andrew_mx83]

if the $2 o ring is leaking it will come out of the mounting flange where it sits in the head.
if its the internal seal it will leak into the cap and drain out the hole in the bottom -the cap still stays FAIRLY clean.
hit up toyota for the part/part number or maybe a bearing shop.

yes as stated above you will need to press the drive gear off. from what i looked at of doing it + what other people have said i decided it was easier to chase up a second hand dizzy that didnt leak. $50 later bung it in with a new $2 o ring and all is good.


edit: the dizzy in my motor now does not seem to leak and will be surplus to requirement in the next month (if i get time to play with it)

[petergoudie]

Toyota advise that the internal o-ring or seal is not avaiable as a spare part. You have to buy the whole distributor. They advised to talk to auto electricians as they know we are not the only people with this problem.

[greg]

I will have a distributor available in a couple of weeks when i remove the 7m from my other car . have not noticed any leaks. cheers greg