Okay, i have some fluid that is leaking down around the distributor cap area(Not from the distributor cap). It leaks down on the shield below the cap and continues on down to my transmission. It seems it drips down towards the transmission area. I'm not sure which fluid it is. It's coming from between the front and back cylinder head covers just above the distributor cap. I've been checking my transmissin fluid regularly and the fluid has no drop off. However, I do have a power steering fluid leak but i'm wondering if that is the case, how is it getting over to that area?

I have the exact same symptoms on my 91' camry. The car was stalling out on me after degreasing the engine so I took off the distributor cap expecting to blow out any moisture and was surprised to find a small puddle of an oily fluid at the bottom of the cap. I cleaned everything up and the car seems to run fine but now I'm afraid to drive it to work (50 mi. one way). Anyone know what this fluid is and how it got there, and if it is related to a loss of power steering fluid?

I have the exact same symptoms on my 91' camry. The car was stalling out on me after degreasing the engine so I took off the distributor cap expecting to blow out any moisture and was surprised to find a small puddle of an oily fluid at the bottom of the cap. I cleaned everything up and the car seems to run fine but now I'm afraid to drive it to work (50 mi. one way). Anyone know what this fluid is and how it got there, and if it is related to a loss of power steering fluid?


The fluid is oil from an internal seal leaking inside the distributor. It is not related to your power steering fluid leak.

Mike

The fluid is oil from an internal seal leaking inside the distributor. It is not related to your power steering fluid leak.

Mike

Thanks for the reply. Could you tell me if this seal has a specific name and if it is replaceable by a do-it-yourselfer or if there is a how to link available?

Thanks for the reply. Could you tell me if this seal has a specific name and if it is replaceable by a do-it-yourselfer or if there is a how to link available?


I don't know if it has a specific name. I would go to a dealer parts department and just ask them what it is called. Ask if they will show you their schematic on their parts screen for a complete breakdown of what seal it is and where it goes.

I would consider it replacable by the experienced do-it-yourselfer. The distributor has to come out of the car to replace it and then has to be disassembled to get to the seal. Then the distributor has to be reinstalled. If you feel comfortable with that, go ahead and try it. If you would feel more comfortable taking it in, I would recommend taking it to a non-dealer shop. This is something that doesn't have to be done by the dealer. I would estimate the labor to do this would be around 1 hour, plus the cost of the seal.

As far as a how to link, you could try doing a search on this forum for "distributor seal" and see what you come up with.

Mike

its call a distributer o ring

Dang it's been 9 months since i posted this thread. I just want to say thanks for the response to all. It is greatly appreciated.

I'm sure they all appreciate that but, we would all appreciate some info on what fixed it and how you went about fixing it.

Hey People,

I installed the o-ring and it did the trick but i discovered i have another leak under the engine somewhere. Just my luck now i have to do more troubbleshooting. But that o-ring solved a problem i've been trying to find for quite some time....Thanks