Oil In Intake Box

TripleD · 11-05-2009, 10:41 AM

So I just bought a 1997 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD. Everything looked good on it. I get it home today and realized something was leaking under the intake box. I pull the air filter out and the bottom of the intake box and part of the bottom of the filter is covered in oil. What is causing this oil to come down the intake? Bad PCV valve? Help please, I am brand new to Toyota's.

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ThePretender · 11-05-2009, 11:39 AM

Did the previous owner run an Amsoil foam/oil air filter? From the sounds of it, you just described my airbox...

Is there oil in the intake tube, also? If not, I suspect a foam/oil air filter was used.

Steve.

TripleD · 11-05-2009, 11:57 AM

No there is oil up in the intake. Since it is slated down it runs down the intake tube, opposite direction of air flow and is leaking into bottom of air box and then through it and down the side of the engine bay and down onto the ground.

ThePretender · 11-05-2009, 12:03 PM

Wow, I was hoping along with you that this might be something simple. Grasping at the simple things, I can't see how this could be a simple case of overfilling the motor oil. It does sound serious...

There are some serious mechanics on this board. Hopefully, you will hear some good info from them.

Steve.

Cal01 · 11-05-2009, 12:23 PM

could be what you said or maybe even worse. I'd change the oil while someone can tell you the exact problem. good luck.

BigBallsMcFalls · 11-05-2009, 04:00 PM

could be a bad head gasket. time to test coolant for exhaust gasses
and oil for coolant

Kiroshu · 11-05-2009, 04:06 PM

PCV System.... but due to the dripping you say..... prolly blow by from the cylinders or someone metioned over fill... thats possible... Is it smoking any at all? Check oil level on dip stick......

TripleD · 11-05-2009, 06:45 PM

Nope, doesn't smoke at all. It runs real good. I noticed some of the PCV hoses are pretty gummy. Could be overfilled, I think I will drain the oil completley, need to do oil change anyway, then fill it to correct level. If it then persists I'll check into PCV system.

Cal01 · 11-05-2009, 06:49 PM

I'd seafoam it with a quickness

98runner210 · 11-05-2009, 08:24 PM

I'd clean the intake and change the PCV valve.

rimpainter.com · 11-05-2009, 10:38 PM

There's also a non-PCV valve hose that enters the intake track pre-throttle body. That may be creating oil in the tube as well. But I don't think I have ever seen it get all the way to the air filter - and I have owned 6 5VZFE-powered vehicles. I find it very strange that the oil made it past the J-tube (just before the intake box, underside of the tube). Can you post a picture or two for us?

TripleD · 11-06-2009, 08:41 AM

I will post a pic tonight. From everything I have read seems that whenever someone has oil in airbox is almost always related to PCV valve, that goes for all automobiles. Where exactly is the PCV valve on a 1997 Toyota 4Runner?

rimpainter.com · 11-06-2009, 04:32 PM

This is a picture from my O Gasket thread (in my sig). Anyway, see that hose on the right kind of low in the picture? The PCV valve is at the end of it on the valve cover.

Cal01 · 11-06-2009, 04:54 PM

@ TripleDright on top of the ignition coil on the passenger side closest to you..first tube you see...

AustinTaco · 11-06-2009, 08:11 PM

Now I have to check. I checked my air filter yesterday and I noticed some oil residue in my airbox too. I do have a K&N, and I am very careful about over oiling it, and when I do oil it, I use a regular filter for a few days while I let the K&N sit out and check for it dripping oil while its out of the airbox.

Anyway, I am going to clean the MAF and throttle body tomorrow so I will see what I find along the intake tube.

AustinTaco · 11-08-2009, 04:40 PM

Two questions: I disconnected my air box and intake to the TB to check it out for an oil trail. There was a residue from the TB to the airbox, with some buildup at the bottom of the airbox, but very minimal. I cleaned out my TB while having it all out and cleaned out the airbox too. That's when I noticed something interesting. The airbox has a few small holes on the bottom. Is this for expected drainage of blow by?
Assuming that the oily residue I have is blow by, is some blow by normal?

My truck has 62K on it and I have been very diligent on repairs and fluids so I am just trying to determine if I need to worry about engine issues down the road. Thanks!

TripleD · 11-10-2009, 12:23 PM

So the oil is coming from the non PCV hose pre throttle body. Which means it is coming up out of the drivers side valve cover area. Does this mean there is excess crank case pressure, which means bad rings?

SchooBaka · 11-10-2009, 12:27 PM

The holes at the bottom of the airbox are there to drain water if water should get in.
Most likely have a bad pcv valve.
One other thing to check, I saw this on a mazda v6 once, someone had changed the valve cover gaskets and on one of the valve covers the top part of the gasket fell out creating a huge vacum leak into the valve cover which sucked oil through a pcv hose into the intake. On the 4runner, drivers side valve cover there is a hose at the rear that comes up to the intake, runs through a metal pipe then through another hose that goes into the intake tube near the throttle body, firewall side; you might check that hose for oil.

TripleD · 11-10-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SchooBaka

The holes at the bottom of the airbox are there to drain water if water should get in.
Most likely have a bad pcv valve.
One other thing to check, I saw this on a mazda v6 once, someone had changed the valve cover gaskets and on one of the valve covers the top part of the gasket fell out creating a huge vacum leak into the valve cover which sucked oil through a pcv hose into the intake. On the 4runner, drivers side valve cover there is a hose at the rear that comes up to the intake, runs through a metal pipe then through another hose that goes into the intake tube near the throttle body, firewall side; you might check that hose for oil.

This is where the oil is coming from. I did notice someone has mucked with it, the front right screw on the valve cover someone cracked the ear of it and then JB welded the crack and there is also JB weld around that front right spark plug. SO I wonder if there is a vacuum leak there and thats causing the oil to get sucked up into that tube and dumped into the intake before the throttle body.

eddieleephd · 11-11-2009, 12:30 AM

sounds like you need a new valve cover and pcv valve may be you would be inclined to get a new tube for that as well?? new valve cover gaskets for both sides and not too bad a cost on that fix

TripleD · 11-11-2009, 08:31 AM

I;m not sure how a new valve cover is going to prevent oil from coming up hat line. I want to know why oil is coming up that line, it's obviously not suppose to. Do i Have excess crank case pressure? If I do why?

eddieleephd · 11-11-2009, 10:05 AM

well how about the fact that there is jb weld on the valve cover that has oil all over it and the corner is knocked off of it most likely causing an excessive flow through the valve cover. Allowing too much flow through the valve covers will create an excess of oil flow through the pcv line creating the issue that you have..
reality is that you should be able to get one in decent shape at a wrecking yard for very cheap and if you can create a good seal on that valve cover then this leak of oil in to the intake should stop..

I am the type of guy that would replace that valve cover just because some one tried to JB weld it and that is no good!! along with a knocked off corner and improper torque can lead to many problems!!

do you burn oil off the valve covers at all??? especially the one on the side previously mentioned????

11-05-2009, 11:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
ThePretender Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: So Cal Posts: 29	Amsoil foam/oil filter? Did the previous owner run an Amsoil foam/oil air filter? From the sounds of it, you just described my airbox... Is there oil in the intake tube, also? If not, I suspect a foam/oil air filter was used. Steve. __________________ "I'm gonna be a happy idiot, and struggle for the legal tender" - Jackson Browne. '99 4x4 Limited. Factory e-locker, TRD headers, borla exhaust, deck plate mod, Magnecor spark plug wires, Nitto Terra Grapplers 265/75/R16, Hayden 1678 trans cooler, OME 881/N91SC - 906/N86C, 106,000 miles.

11-05-2009, 12:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
ThePretender Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: So Cal Posts: 29	Ouch! Wow, I was hoping along with you that this might be something simple. Grasping at the simple things, I can't see how this could be a simple case of overfilling the motor oil. It does sound serious... There are some serious mechanics on this board. Hopefully, you will hear some good info from them. Steve. __________________ "I'm gonna be a happy idiot, and struggle for the legal tender" - Jackson Browne. '99 4x4 Limited. Factory e-locker, TRD headers, borla exhaust, deck plate mod, Magnecor spark plug wires, Nitto Terra Grapplers 265/75/R16, Hayden 1678 trans cooler, OME 881/N91SC - 906/N86C, 106,000 miles.

11-05-2009, 12:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
Cal01 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Lost Angeles Posts: 59	could be what you said or maybe even worse. I'd change the oil while someone can tell you the exact problem. good luck. __________________ 97 SR5 5spd 4x4 wanted: White Drivers side Fender

11-05-2009, 04:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
Kiroshu Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: wade, NC Posts: 1,305	PCV System.... but due to the dripping you say..... prolly blow by from the cylinders or someone metioned over fill... thats possible... Is it smoking any at all? Check oil level on dip stick...... __________________ My current: 1986 Toyota 4runner SR5 EFI 4cyl 2.4L 22RE 5-Speed 242,000 Miles 95% Stock __________________ (Still working on restoring her) My old: 1988 Toyota 4runner SR5 EFI V6 3.0L 3VZ-E 5-Speed 302,000 Miles All stock (sold)______________ (Was my fastest truck i miss her...) My old: 1989 Toyota 4runner Non-SR5 EFI 4cyl 2.4L 22RE Automatic 231,000 Miles (sold)______________ (was my quietest and slowest yota.)

11-05-2009, 06:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
Cal01 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Lost Angeles Posts: 59	I'd seafoam it with a quickness __________________ 97 SR5 5spd 4x4 wanted: White Drivers side Fender Last edited by Cal01; 11-05-2009 at 06:50 PM.

11-05-2009, 11:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
TripleD Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 14	No there is oil up in the intake. Since it is slated down it runs down the intake tube, opposite direction of air flow and is leaking into bottom of air box and then through it and down the side of the engine bay and down onto the ground.

11-05-2009, 04:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
BigBallsMcFalls Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 546	could be a bad head gasket. time to test coolant for exhaust gasses and oil for coolant

11-05-2009, 06:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
TripleD Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 14	Nope, doesn't smoke at all. It runs real good. I noticed some of the PCV hoses are pretty gummy. Could be overfilled, I think I will drain the oil completley, need to do oil change anyway, then fill it to correct level. If it then persists I'll check into PCV system.

11-05-2009, 08:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
98runner210 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 778	I'd clean the intake and change the PCV valve. __________________ '98 4Runner Limited White w/ silver flares

11-05-2009, 10:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
rimpainter.com Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,797	There's also a non-PCV valve hose that enters the intake track pre-throttle body. That may be creating oil in the tube as well. But I don't think I have ever seen it get all the way to the air filter - and I have owned 6 5VZFE-powered vehicles. I find it very strange that the oil made it past the J-tube (just before the intake box, underside of the tube). Can you post a picture or two for us? __________________ www.rimpainter.com Get your O Gasket Mod Here! My SC'd 4Runner's Profile My YouTube vids

11-06-2009, 08:41 AM	#12 (permalink)
TripleD Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 14	I will post a pic tonight. From everything I have read seems that whenever someone has oil in airbox is almost always related to PCV valve, that goes for all automobiles. Where exactly is the PCV valve on a 1997 Toyota 4Runner?

11-06-2009, 04:32 PM	#13 (permalink)
rimpainter.com Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,797	This is a picture from my O Gasket thread (in my sig). Anyway, see that hose on the right kind of low in the picture? The PCV valve is at the end of it on the valve cover. __________________ www.rimpainter.com Get your O Gasket Mod Here! My SC'd 4Runner's Profile My YouTube vids

11-06-2009, 04:54 PM	#14 (permalink)
Cal01 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Lost Angeles Posts: 59	@ TripleDright on top of the ignition coil on the passenger side closest to you..first tube you see... __________________ 97 SR5 5spd 4x4 wanted: White Drivers side Fender

11-06-2009, 08:11 PM	#15 (permalink)
AustinTaco Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 280	Now I have to check. I checked my air filter yesterday and I noticed some oil residue in my airbox too. I do have a K&N, and I am very careful about over oiling it, and when I do oil it, I use a regular filter for a few days while I let the K&N sit out and check for it dripping oil while its out of the airbox. Anyway, I am going to clean the MAF and throttle body tomorrow so I will see what I find along the intake tube.

11-08-2009, 04:40 PM	#16 (permalink)
AustinTaco Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 280	Two questions: I disconnected my air box and intake to the TB to check it out for an oil trail. There was a residue from the TB to the airbox, with some buildup at the bottom of the airbox, but very minimal. I cleaned out my TB while having it all out and cleaned out the airbox too. That's when I noticed something interesting. The airbox has a few small holes on the bottom. Is this for expected drainage of blow by? Assuming that the oily residue I have is blow by, is some blow by normal? My truck has 62K on it and I have been very diligent on repairs and fluids so I am just trying to determine if I need to worry about engine issues down the road. Thanks!

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11-10-2009, 12:23 PM	#17 (permalink)
TripleD Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 14	So the oil is coming from the non PCV hose pre throttle body. Which means it is coming up out of the drivers side valve cover area. Does this mean there is excess crank case pressure, which means bad rings?

11-10-2009, 12:27 PM	#18 (permalink)
SchooBaka Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 38	The holes at the bottom of the airbox are there to drain water if water should get in. Most likely have a bad pcv valve. One other thing to check, I saw this on a mazda v6 once, someone had changed the valve cover gaskets and on one of the valve covers the top part of the gasket fell out creating a huge vacum leak into the valve cover which sucked oil through a pcv hose into the intake. On the 4runner, drivers side valve cover there is a hose at the rear that comes up to the intake, runs through a metal pipe then through another hose that goes into the intake tube near the throttle body, firewall side; you might check that hose for oil.

11-11-2009, 12:30 AM	#20 (permalink)
eddieleephd Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Diego, Ca., Marietta, Ga. Posts: 305	sounds like you need a new valve cover and pcv valve may be you would be inclined to get a new tube for that as well?? new valve cover gaskets for both sides and not too bad a cost on that fix __________________ Flyin High 4:19 and Green!!! '99 3.4L 4x4 All Manual Taco 2.5" lift OME CO and Alcan Leafs Deck Plate Mod. "Soon Hydrogen Injection!"

11-11-2009, 08:31 AM	#21 (permalink)
TripleD Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 14	I;m not sure how a new valve cover is going to prevent oil from coming up hat line. I want to know why oil is coming up that line, it's obviously not suppose to. Do i Have excess crank case pressure? If I do why?

11-11-2009, 10:05 AM	#22 (permalink)
eddieleephd Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Diego, Ca., Marietta, Ga. Posts: 305	well how about the fact that there is jb weld on the valve cover that has oil all over it and the corner is knocked off of it most likely causing an excessive flow through the valve cover. Allowing too much flow through the valve covers will create an excess of oil flow through the pcv line creating the issue that you have.. reality is that you should be able to get one in decent shape at a wrecking yard for very cheap and if you can create a good seal on that valve cover then this leak of oil in to the intake should stop.. I am the type of guy that would replace that valve cover just because some one tried to JB weld it and that is no good!! along with a knocked off corner and improper torque can lead to many problems!! do you burn oil off the valve covers at all??? especially the one on the side previously mentioned???? __________________ Flyin High 4:19 and Green!!! '99 3.4L 4x4 All Manual Taco 2.5" lift OME CO and Alcan Leafs Deck Plate Mod. "Soon Hydrogen Injection!"