taikowaza

I have had a small amount of oil leaking from the cylinder heads for quite some time.
I am wondering if this is an impending sign of doom or just a common 3vze fact of life (kind of like the small power steering leak that I always have, no matter what I do).
I top up the oil every month and don't need much, but of course the H/G thought is always out there. Thanks for explaining some thoughts on what might be happening to cause this small leak and what it might mean, what I should do.
Thanks a lot in advance

TNRabbit

Are you talking about around the valve covers or the actual heads? Valve cover leaks are common because ppl don't know to put FIPG in the corners...

taikowaza

Thanks TNRabbit!!! The leak is from the back of the cylinder heads, right around where the valve cover is... it's really hard to tell which the leak is coming from. When looking up at the engine, it's coming off the back side. It might very well be the valve cover instead...is there any way to tell without steam cleaning the whole thing? There's quite a bit of oil on there...is this a problem if it is the valve cover instead? Thanks again.
PS. I just read this article and I would describe this as a 'seep' and not a leak.

TNRabbit

Very common. Not critical. Take off your hood (4 bolt, VERY easy) and wipe it down with a kerosene or diesel rag, then take her for a drive....

Blurr

i wonder if our 3vze plastic valve covers are prone to warpage. i have replaced the gaskets and FIPG'd the corners 3 different times in the 5+ years I've owned my 4runner and I still can't prevent it from seeping oil. if this leak gets bad enough again i might try to find new valve covers and see if that helps.

Justinlhc

Mine was leaking so I took it off, RTV'd the hell out of it, still leaked, took it back off, RTV'd the hell out of it again and took the cam seal out and RTV'd the hell out of that too. Hasn't leaked a drop in weeks. I thought mine was coming from between the cylinder and the block, too. I'm sure glad it's not.

Don't overtighten the valve cover bolts. I broke one thinking I'd tighten it to stop the leak. Bad idea.

taikowaza

I'm happy to know it's not a major issue. One thing has come of this, the transmission mount is pretty oil-soaked due to this leak. I'm wondering if this is a cause for concern. If so is there is a non-soak-able replacement

Kiroshu

Ok #1 if you where leaking oil out of the cylinder head your engine would be rediculously wore out. If it was doing that you would be stating the fact it have total ring blow by along with a blown head gasket and the plug not firing causing miss fire which is something i've never seen on a toyota. ok yea 3.0 valves covers are famous for leaking you have to seal them exaclty the way toyotas says too or they will leak. and they have a tourqe spec which also is required and one of the many reasons they leak on people because they are not tourqed to manufactures specs. Seal em tourqe em and you'll be fine. Yes, the trans mout is prob covered in blow by oil from ur valve covers. i recommend fixing ur oil leak and degressing ur trans mount. over time the oil will eat up that mount and then u got a whole new prob.