how much oil seepage near tensioner?

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ihaveavibe
Posts: 96
Joined: Sun Jul 02, 2017 7:48 pm

how much oil seepage near tensioner?

Post by ihaveavibe »

I was about to replace my accessory belt tensioner when I read about the timing chain tensioner and the oil leaks. Problem is, I don't think I've come across any photos or videos of these leaks. This guy changing his tensioner here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDPFq-9jnXE seems to have a totally clean engine compared to mine as seen here:
oil near belt tensioner.JPG
oil near belt tensioner.JPG (23.74 KiB) Viewed 1404 times
I know some people mention the chain cover leaking.

Anyone know which might be leaking or seeping here?

thanks
hogdoctor
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Re: how much oil seepage near tensioner?

Post by hogdoctor »

tpollauf
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Re: how much oil seepage near tensioner?

Post by tpollauf »

I have a similar leak and posted it here back in May ............. viewtopic.php?f=12&t=46475&p=521527#p521527

Only difference is mine is an 04GT and I believe yours it an 03 base.
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2009 Vibe GT (manual), 2009 G8Gt, 2009 Vibe GT (auto)
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ihaveavibe
Posts: 96
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Re: how much oil seepage near tensioner?

Post by ihaveavibe »

Thanks, this was a good view. She makes it look easy...
ihaveavibe
Posts: 96
Joined: Sun Jul 02, 2017 7:48 pm

Re: how much oil seepage near tensioner?

Post by ihaveavibe »

tpollauf wrote:I have a similar leak and posted it here back in May ............. viewtopic.php?f=12&t=46475&p=521527#p521527

Only difference is mine is an 04GT and I believe yours it an 03 base.
Did you resolve the source of the leak? I got a new chain tensioner at a Toyota dealer and the guy told me that a lot of the time it's the head gasket that leaks in that area. I mentioned I knew it could be the timing chain cover but he said it's usually the head gasket. I'll see if it was the tensioner O ring, though I have to say, I had a hard time trying to clean that area. Basically, I'm not sure I did.


BTW, an indy mechanic told me that in his experience Mobil 1 full synthetic has caused a lot of seals to leak on older cars. He said I'm better off sticking to conventional. I have some doubts, i filled it with Mobil 1 only once, and that was this past July ... I doubt this developed over 5 months...
tpollauf
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Re: how much oil seepage near tensioner?

Post by tpollauf »

ihaveavibe wrote: Did you resolve the source of the leak?
Not yet. Don't drive this Vibe much just yet so I didn't bother with it. I just am careful where I park it so as to not ruin my driveway :o

It's possible that it is the head gasket BUT only where the block,head, and timing cover all meet together. Pretty much where I have it pointed out on that parts layout in the other post. Whenever I decide to tackle this I'd need an entire day and the lift to do the work. Someday soon ..............
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zbyers
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Re: how much oil seepage near tensioner?

Post by zbyers »

My 03 GT had the same leak tpollauf mentioned. My 07 appears to be leaking in a similar spot. I'd be hard pressed to think it's the head gasket...I've had this car for 100k miles and I KNOW I have taken care of it. I am leaning towards the timing chain o-ring initially as it is cheap and easy to replace. If that is not it, I am leaning towards the timing cover gasket like tpollaufs. If that's the case, unless it starts leaking a lot I will leave it alone.
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