1998 Caldina 3sfe G 4WD - Slight oil smell occasionally

[Ismart120]

Hi guys,


Recently bought a fairly cheap 1998 Caldina ST215 G 4WD manual for communting and getting outdoors generally, and to give the mr2 a bit of a break from daily running.

I've had a few things fixed already (rear shocks were the surprise), rocker gasket and injector seals, raditor flush etc. Sometimes getting a bit of an oil smell after running it for a bit (20-30 mins in traffic), any areas I should be checking for a leak? Haven't noticed any oil level drop but I would have thought any remaining oil from the rocker gasket would have burnt off by now. Any common seals I might need to replace?

Apart from being a slug (a whopping 99kw), ait runs well enough, but any minor upgrades I should consider? Either for handling (taking it on gravel roads a bit, didn't get the gt-t as I didn't want to ruin a fun car like that), clearance or a bit more go?

Thanks in advance,

[RS13]

If it has leaked down the back of the engine or if the sump is leaking onto the exhaust, as that part of the exhaust only occasionally gets hot it would take a while to go. You could try degreasing/waterblasting the exhaust under the engine bay to help it along but obviously do it with the engine cold and with bags over the electrical bits.

[sergei]

S series often leak through oil pump seals (shaft seal and gasket). This particular leak will travel the perimeter of the sump and drip on the rear of the engine (due to engine slant).
When I did cam belts on these I always replaced the gasket and the shaft seal. Unfortunately it is a cambelt job type of work to do those.

I see you did the cam cover gasket, if you didn't use RTV in specific places it will still leak. Basically a small dab of RTV should go in every corner where the camshaft caps are (and the blank cap where distributor used to be).

[Ismart120]

Thanks for the replies, might have to check the oil pump seals then.
I had the shop do it while it was in for the rear shocks (didn't have a drive at the time), so I'll have to check re the RTV, they're usually pretty good though.

Cam belt is due in about 10-20 thou kms anyway, so might just bring that forward.

Cleaned a bit off the exhaust but may have missed some, will also check that

Cheers

[sergei]

Thanks for the replies, might have to check the oil pump seals then.
I had the shop do it while it was in for the rear shocks (didn't have a drive at the time), so I'll have to check re the RTV, they're usually pretty good though.

Cam belt is due in about 10-20 thou kms anyway, so might just bring that forward.

Cleaned a bit off the exhaust but may have missed some, will also check that

Cheers

When you do cam belt make sure you replace idler bolt, for some reason toyota put skinny bolt on it and it is prone breaking if reused. This is not a rumour, as it happened to me. I am 100% sure I torqued it to spec, only to have it snap within a week and stranding the owner. The bolt from memory goes from 10mm shank (the ID of the idler) to M8 thread. $10 difference is not worth when you are spending 4 hours on the job (if nothing is stuck).

Regarding the RTV in the corners, it should be a very well known procedure for a mechanic .