One of the major causes of oil leaks in the Toyota Matrix is an aged o-ring on the timing chain tensioner. This video shows how to replace the o-ring. By the…
One of the major causes of oil leaks in the Toyota Matrix is an aged o-ring on the timing chain tensioner. This video shows how to replace the o-ring. By the…
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Thanks so much for letting me know about your success!!!! 🙂
Hey, I’m pretty good, huh? hahaha…. Are you SURE the stream of oil is
from the filter gasket and not the sensor??? It will be easy to be sure by
just changing the filter and looking… but having a “stream” sounds like a
bad sensor! As far as the oily serpentine belt, I don’t really know… but
they are quite easy and relatively cheap to change out. Thanks for writing
back!!!! I’m so glad you found the problem area!
Also Alan, is it a MUST to replace the serpentine belt being it has been
oil soaked? It has 65k miles on it.
Hi Alan -Thanks for the input on this. After work I got set up with a
bright light & went under the hood & checked the oil sensor area. At first
I didn’t see anything then there it was! A tiny jet of oil that was
shooting from the top of the oil filter toward the pass.side radiator. I
did look at the filter area while on the road, just couldn’t see that tiny
stream in the bright daylight! If only I had felt around with my hand. I
will check tightness & find out why gasket let go next.
and it appears that the oil pressure sensor is attached just above the oil
filter….. so just get under there and see if the oil is coming out
there… also the oil filter could be lose..but that wouldn’t explain how
the oil got up so high…..
Just do a google search on the oil pressure switch… it won’t let me post
the link here!!!!! I’ll bet you that it is your PROBLEM.
Hi HealyCopter… I don’t know if an 0-ring could allow that kind of oil
loss, but with so much oil leaking it shouldn’t be that hard to find.
Often, cars can lose that amount of oil if the oil pressure sensor goes
bad. The center of the sensor can let go and the oil just comes pouring
out. Take a look online (and I will, too) at the location of the oil
pressure sensor(sender) and see where it is. If THAT is the problem, it’s
usually obvious to see and easy to fix.
We had a scare with our 2006 vibe today (65k miles), with oil under the
hood at our destination (65 mi away). Belted end of the engine was oil
soaked. NO low oil or high temp warings on dash. I bought 6 qt oil & put 3
in, & started the car. It was dripping but t so we got home stopping &
checking often.& it seem to lesson as we got closer to home. If it lost 3
qt in 50 miles on the way up, could the oil tensioner o-ring account for
that in your opinion, or is it likely a main seal? Thanks.
You’re welcome! I’m glad it helped!!!
Hi Taxminia, there is no other part that has to be removed. And removing
the tensioner does not cause the chain to shift. It would certainly be a
good idea to not turn the crankshaft while the tensioner is out!!!!!
VERY HELPFUL! THANK U!
Also, in response to someone who asked how to turn the crankshaft… it’s
easy to do by turning the alternator (put a socket on the nut in the center
of the alt. pulley) which turns the serpentine belt which turns
EVERYTHING!!!
Hummarstra, yes.. if you listen carefully… you will hear the tensioner
re-engage! It can make a zipppppp sound as it comes back out.
Hi Allan.My Toyoyta Matrix 2003 has been leaking for a while,my local
mechanic told me its a crankshaft seal & timing chain tentioner…he did
not mention the o-ring. he is asking for $ 275 for parts & Labor….After
watching your video. I feel like i can do it..Not sure if the mechanic is
trying to rip me off..should i start replacing the o- ring first? Hopefully
the leak would stop….Do you have a video to change the crankshaft seal?
Thanks JR
Hi Junbug, first off…If your mechanic says that the timing chain
tensioner is leaking then that what he means really is that the O-ring on
the timing chain tensioner is bad – I believe that’s really the only way
that it could leak – and that’s what my video shows how to replace. As far
as the crankshaft seal, who knows? But it certainly wouldn’t hurt to do the
o-ring first then give the car a few days and see if the leak stops. It
would have to be done anyways, even according to your guy!!!
You only have to turn the motor a little bit, just a few degrees. I turned
mine probably about 10 degrees and I could hear the tensioner spring out!
Another time I installed one and I could hear the tensioner spring out just
by being tightened down. I think you can turn the engine in either
direction, but the normal engine direction is clockwise (looking at the
front of the engine).
Just called my main Toyota guy again… he said that MOST toyota mechanics
do add the RTV to that plate!!!
You’re welcome. Do let me know how you make out!!!!
By the way, the O-ring only costs a couple of dollars…. and according one
of the local dealers, they have cars needing this repair every day!
Hummarstra, yes.. if you listen carefully… you will hear the tensioner
re-engage! It can make a zipppppp sound as it comes back out.
Are you talking about to RTV seal the tensioner’s plate, diamond shape
thing with two holes?
As a follow-up, I discovered that my repair had started leaking AGAIN! I
called my Toyota friend and he told me that even at the dealers, they
usually add an RTV sealer around the back of the plate, so I would add that
to the protocol here!! I used the permatex black rtv for mine.
should the oil be drained before doing this repair?
Oh, and one more thing… if you are flexible – you could use a mirror and
flashlight and actually look at the area around the tensioner (clean it
first with paper towels or whatever) and see if you can watch it leak down
the back of the cylinder head….but if it’s oily back there, you probably
have the problem anyway!
Also, the o-ring leak can be bad enough to spread oil around and make it
hard to tell about the crankshaft seal, etc. The thing is, the o-ring is SO
EASY to replace and it costs around two dollars!!!
haha… if a Boston accent is good for JFK, I guess I’ll live with it!!!!
Yes, but since that time I’ve gotten another opinion from a Toyota guy that
the RTV is unnecessary… so I’m not sure. If anyone finds out either
way..please post!!!!
cool thanks great vid!
When changing the timing chain tensioner on a 2003 Toyota Matrix Xr
automatic FWD do you have to remove any other part and will it cause the
chain to dislodge or shift once the tensioner is removed and if so do you
have to realign the timing chain once placing the new tensioner back in its
place.
Awesome video Alan It helped me a lot. Thanks for posting this.
Hi Chris, no need at all to drain the oil!!!!
Shane, your very welcome. I’m glad I posted something useful!!!!!
Thank you so much for your quick response, I sure will start with the
o-ring first….I really appreciate your advise..I will let you know for
sure..thanks
Miguel, thanks a lot!
Thanks a TON! O-ring replaced (5.94 at Toyota dealer), which took about 20
min. (once I found the nut that I dropped!). And new Gates serpentine belt
replaced ($25 at O’Reilly), which took about 20 min. as well…Probably
saved about $375 altogether. Now I can get some new tires! 😀
Doesn’t look too haaad…
How far and in what direction do i need to turn the motor to re-engage the
tensioner after im done?
Thanks a bunch. I got this done yesterday and am very happy to not have to
pay the crazy cost the dealer wanted.