Deformed VVT-I Oil Control Valve Caused Oil Leak - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

N1rve · 04-30-2016, 08:08 PM

So I was doing an underhood inspection of my car and I noticed this weird stain on my engine.

Is this an oil leak or like some sort of external thing? What IS that sensor/silver thing pictured? This is on passenger side of the engine near the coolant reservoir. Currently at 28,300 miles.

UPDATE: Oil leak is due to VVTi Oil Control Valve deformation.

Mr.ac · 04-30-2016, 08:32 PM

it's not a bad leak, if at all, if it was leaking it would be all overt he place. Wash it off then see if it does the same thing.
I wouldn't worry about too much. Unless there pools of oil on the ground then you worry.

humfrz · 04-30-2016, 09:17 PM

I'm guessing it's one of the cam sensor thingies........

Yep, it does look like it has seeped a bit, or something splattered on it.

Like Mr.ac suggested, I'd just spray a cleaner on it, and blow dry it dry. Then check back in a few days to see if it returns.

I checked mine and it is clean (after 14,000 miles).

humfrz

N1rve · 05-02-2016, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humfrz

I'm guessing it's one of the cam sensor thingies........

Yep, it does look like it has seeped a bit, or something splattered on it.

Like Mr.ac suggested, I'd just spray a cleaner on it, and blow dry it dry. Then check back in a few days to see if it returns.

I checked mine and it is clean (after 14,000 miles).

humfrz

What cleaner would be safe to be used on that spot? I think that's a cam sensor there.

humfrz · 05-02-2016, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N1rve

What cleaner would be safe to be used on that spot? I think that's a cam sensor there.

I would think any electrical contact cleaner, found at most auto parts stores, would do.

I'd probably cheap out and go with isopropyl alcohol and a small paint brush, then dry it off with a hair dryer.

Back in the day ...... we would have just spit/sprayed a mouthful of "shine" on it ............. and dried it off with a bellows.

Then took a couple swigs out of the jug and leaned back and relaxed, while the thing dried...........

humfrz

ToySub1946 · 05-02-2016, 01:37 AM

Brake parts cleaner. Just about any brand will do. Dries (evaporates) fast, little residue. Available in any store which sells auto related stuff.

Far as my experience won't hurt plastic, metal, could damage paint as some do contain acetone. It's what mechanics usually use to clean oil spills.

ToySub1946 · 05-02-2016, 01:56 AM

Want more ?

Chlorinated Brake Cleaner>> (Works best..dries fastest, leaves no residue)

Chlorinated brake cleaner is nonflammable; however, it is harsh on your skin and is known to be a possible carcinogen. It is made of two components:

Tetrachloroethylene
This solvent -- also known as perchloroethylene -- is the primary ingredient in this kind of brake cleaner. It is used to remove materials from metal that are not water-soluble. This includes grease, oil, brake fluid and brake dust.

Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Dioxide is used as a propellant in the aerosol format of brake cleaners.

Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaner>>

Comprised of different chemicals than chlorinated brake cleaner, this version is >extremely flammable< but is less harsh on your skin. It contains:

Heptane
This chemical distilled from oil is used primarily as a solvent to clean contaminants from metal parts and is not water-soluble. It is safe for use on ABS brakes, as well as disc and drum brakes.

Acetone
This solvent is used to clean contaminants from parts. It is particularly useful in removing water-based contaminants, as it absorbs water.

Carbon Dioxide
This gas is used as the propellant in non-chlorinated brake cleaner.

Warning>>>>

Non-chlorinated brake cleaner is flammable. Use it in a well-ventilated area away from open flames, hot surfaces and sparks. Do not smoke around brake cleaner.

N1rve · 05-05-2016, 09:09 PM

So I took it to the dealer today and they fixed the leak.

It was caused by a deformed VVT-I Oil Control Vavle.

Clipdat · 05-05-2016, 10:25 PM

Guest states that one of the wires that was being held by a "suction cup" came undone??

N1rve · 05-06-2016, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Guest states that one of the wires that was being held by a "suction cup" came undone??

It's that free hanging wire...looks like a suction cup to me?

04-30-2016, 08:08 PM	#1
N1rve Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2019 BMW ///M4 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,332 Thanks: 102 Thanked 1,167 Times in 714 Posts Mentioned: 28 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Deformed VVT-I Oil Control Valve Caused Oil Leak So I was doing an underhood inspection of my car and I noticed this weird stain on my engine. Is this an oil leak or like some sort of external thing? What IS that sensor/silver thing pictured? This is on passenger side of the engine near the coolant reservoir. Currently at 28,300 miles. UPDATE: Oil leak is due to VVTi Oil Control Valve deformation. __________________ N1rve 2019 BMW ///M4 - Alpine White \| Sakhir Orange/Black Leather \| M-DCT \| Executive Package \| 19" Black 437M Wheels \| Carbon Fiber Trim \| Sunroof \| Active Blind Spot \| Heated Steering Wheel \| Adaptive M Suspension Last edited by N1rve; 05-06-2016 at 12:10 PM. Reason: Updated

04-30-2016, 08:32 PM	#2
Mr.ac [insert cool phrase here] Join Date: Aug 2015 Drives: BRZ Premium Location: Central Coast CA Posts: 2,369 Thanks: 709 Thanked 1,558 Times in 930 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	it's not a bad leak, if at all, if it was leaking it would be all overt he place. Wash it off then see if it does the same thing. I wouldn't worry about too much. Unless there pools of oil on the ground then you worry. __________________ New daily driver - Subaru BRZ Premium Weekend fun/track car - '91 MR2 Turbo Gen3 Old daily driver - '88 MR2 Supercharged

05-02-2016, 01:37 AM	#6
ToySub1946 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Drives: 15FRS, 05MustangGT, 85Toyota truck Location: Eureka, Ca. Posts: 574 Thanks: 672 Thanked 590 Times in 279 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Brake parts cleaner. Just about any brand will do. Dries (evaporates) fast, little residue. Available in any store which sells auto related stuff. Far as my experience won't hurt plastic, metal, could damage paint as some do contain acetone. It's what mechanics usually use to clean oil spills. Attached Images Last edited by ToySub1946; 05-02-2016 at 02:15 AM.

05-02-2016, 01:56 AM	#7
ToySub1946 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Drives: 15FRS, 05MustangGT, 85Toyota truck Location: Eureka, Ca. Posts: 574 Thanks: 672 Thanked 590 Times in 279 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Want more ? Chlorinated Brake Cleaner>> (Works best..dries fastest, leaves no residue) Chlorinated brake cleaner is nonflammable; however, it is harsh on your skin and is known to be a possible carcinogen. It is made of two components: Tetrachloroethylene This solvent -- also known as perchloroethylene -- is the primary ingredient in this kind of brake cleaner. It is used to remove materials from metal that are not water-soluble. This includes grease, oil, brake fluid and brake dust. Carbon Dioxide Carbon Dioxide is used as a propellant in the aerosol format of brake cleaners. Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaner>> Comprised of different chemicals than chlorinated brake cleaner, this version is >extremely flammable< but is less harsh on your skin. It contains: Heptane This chemical distilled from oil is used primarily as a solvent to clean contaminants from metal parts and is not water-soluble. It is safe for use on ABS brakes, as well as disc and drum brakes. Acetone This solvent is used to clean contaminants from parts. It is particularly useful in removing water-based contaminants, as it absorbs water. Carbon Dioxide This gas is used as the propellant in non-chlorinated brake cleaner. Warning>>>> Non-chlorinated brake cleaner is flammable. Use it in a well-ventilated area away from open flames, hot surfaces and sparks. Do not smoke around brake cleaner. Last edited by ToySub1946; 05-02-2016 at 02:16 AM.

05-05-2016, 09:09 PM	#8
N1rve Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2019 BMW ///M4 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,332 Thanks: 102 Thanked 1,167 Times in 714 Posts Mentioned: 28 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	So I took it to the dealer today and they fixed the leak. It was caused by a deformed VVT-I Oil Control Vavle. __________________ N1rve 2019 BMW ///M4 - Alpine White \| Sakhir Orange/Black Leather \| M-DCT \| Executive Package \| 19" Black 437M Wheels \| Carbon Fiber Trim \| Sunroof \| Active Blind Spot \| Heated Steering Wheel \| Adaptive M Suspension

04-30-2016, 09:17 PM	#3
humfrz Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Drives: 2013 FR-S, white, MT Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 29,869 Thanks: 28,791 Thanked 31,816 Times in 16,425 Posts Mentioned: 708 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	I'm guessing it's one of the cam sensor thingies........ Yep, it does look like it has seeped a bit, or something splattered on it. Like Mr.ac suggested, I'd just spray a cleaner on it, and blow dry it dry. Then check back in a few days to see if it returns. I checked mine and it is clean (after 14,000 miles). humfrz

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