Oil leak

[Dinoe46m3]

Hello everyone. I noticed oil burning from the bottom and after crawling and trying to figure out whats leaking and end up finding this big nut to be loose and is literally spraying oil. Do you know what this is and should I just tightened it and be done? What size nut is this? Thank you for your insight.

[tone]

Tough to tell from the photo, but that looks like the timing chain tensioner. These come loose fairly regularly -- should be fine to just tighten it up.

[heinzboehmer]

Yeah looks like the timing chain tensioner. Could also replace the crush washer (part number 07119963418) while you're at it. Be warned though, you need a deep 32 mm socket. But not too deep or else you're gonna have trouble getting the ratchet to fit. It's a tricky thing to reach for sure.

[eacmen]

I thought I had oil leak on the tensioner before. Replaced the crush washer and the leak persisted.

Turns out it was actually the lower left VANOS bolt, even after a fresh gasket it still leaked. Had to put a *tiny* thin layer of Toyota FIPG on the bottom left corner of the head to get it to stop leaking. You will need a well placed inspection mirror to see if the leak is from the tensioner or if its from the VANOS gasket.

[tone]

Yeah looks like the timing chain tensioner. Could also replace the crush washer (part number 07119963418) while you're at it. Be warned though, you need a deep 32 mm socket. But not too deep or else you're gonna have trouble getting the ratchet to fit. It's a tricky thing to reach for sure.

I agree that it's worth changing the crush washer.

I couldn't get my ratchet to fit in there, so I ended up using a 32mm impact socket from Harbor Freight (#67791) with a square drive socket cap (#67011) and a long-handled wrench. Worked like a charm!

[sapote]

I thought I had oil leak on the tensioner before. Replaced the crush washer and the leak persisted.

Turns out it was actually the lower left VANOS bolt, even after a fresh gasket it still leaked.

vanos gasket leak would not spray oil since no pressure. Chain tensioner leak would spray oil.

[sapote]

Don't just tighten it up because dust/sand could get under the aluminum washer. Remove it and clean up the part sealing surface, including the surface on the engine before tighten up again. Just a 36mm and ratchet driver.

[erickhoyos]

Timing chain tensioner. Happened to me once. It got loose and left a big puddle of oil where I was parked. What I ended up doing was cleaning it completely and using the socket (I don’t remember the correct size) and vice grip pliers to tighten it back. Never had oil leak problems since.