Oil Leak 02 Auto 3.4L

xcmountain80 · 11-09-2009, 08:49 AM

Well I have a slight oil leak and by the looks of it it has been slowly coming out for some time. I'm guessing valve cover gaskets but tell me what you think. The drivers side is leaking to the point of a slow drip where as he pass side is barely noticeable and has no speed or culmination point.

A

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brian2sun · 11-09-2009, 09:50 AM

Yeah it looks like the valve cover gaskets to me. I'm sure you checked the oil filter too (mine loosened up once and started leaking), but it looks pretty saturated so that may be part of the issue.

xcmountain80 · 11-09-2009, 12:49 PM

Yeah the more I think about it and the area of saturation the more I think the valve cover gasket. I'll call Toyota today and see what they will run me. I can't imagine this is a difficult job compared to removal and re-install of the fron and rear thirds.

Aaron

xcmountain80 · 11-09-2009, 03:14 PM

Got the seals and forgot the tube seals (pick them up tomorrow). Will do a swap on Thursday.

A

jrallan26 · 11-09-2009, 05:35 PM

Look on the bright side, the oil leak will keep the frame from rusting....

xcmountain80 · 11-09-2009, 05:51 PM

I have no rust, other than the typical exhaust rust and any spot we whacked a rock in our travels.

A

02_Limited · 11-09-2009, 06:18 PM

Same thing happened to me about 15k ago at 125k. Just needed new gaskets

xcmountain80 · 11-09-2009, 06:26 PM

It's probably been slowly leaking since 100 and change but a slow leak at that. I hope this fixes the leaks as I hate them with a passion.

A

xcmountain80 · 11-10-2009, 02:54 PM

Ok driver side done, now on to the pass side. I think I will wait until my dynamic tensioner pulley comes in and oil change kit for SC b4 I put it all back together.

A

xcmountain80 · 11-11-2009, 03:33 PM

Ok, both sides done and fluro additive added to make certain leaks are evident if I missed something.

A

xcmountain80 · 11-11-2009, 06:45 PM

20 miles down and no glowing leaks with the CSI kit. I simple greened and wash the old yuk off.

A

Kiroshu · 11-11-2009, 07:21 PM

Yea just clean it all up and watch it for a week and see if it doesn't lea by then your good.

xcmountain80 · 11-11-2009, 07:53 PM

The leak detection can be bought for less but mine covers ac, coolant, and oil based liquids. Purchased for $68 at Napa and comes in a storage case. It has helped me source a evil t-case leak that led to a double gasket replacement and shifter seat replacement.

A

lexustech · 11-12-2009, 05:16 AM

check the valve covers bolts- mine were leaking and the bolts were finger tight, guess they loosened up over the miles, tightened them and leak went away, doesn't get any cheaper than that

Kiroshu · 11-12-2009, 03:13 PM

^Doesn't get any luckier than that either....

xcmountain80 · 11-15-2009, 09:55 PM

Well after 230K I decided I should just replace the seals and re RTV the spots that require it. No leaks do date, though the oil filter came loose the other day and made me think twice.

A

SC4Runner · 11-16-2009, 07:48 AM

Wow I am surprised that they were your valve cover gaskets. I would have almost bet money it was the rear main.

Because my leak looks exactly the same... slow moving, but I know the rear main has a leak. I checked all the gaskets up top and they seem OK. Maybe I should replace them anyways.

)

xcmountain80 · 11-16-2009, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC4Runner

Wow I am surprised that they were your valve cover gaskets. I would have almost bet money it was the rear main.

Because my leak looks exactly the same... slow moving, but I know the rear main has a leak. I checked all the gaskets up top and they seem OK. Maybe I should replace them anyways.

)

The tip off was the leak was coming from the front of the engine toward the top, the valve covers were covered with old oil and dirt, the oldest was not shiny anymore, where as the newer or consistent leak toward the front was fresh and wet. Now before you go replacing things I recommend the CSI kit with fluorescent dye and a UV LED light and some glasses. This will save you time and frustration. I know you can get just the dye, light and glasses for way less than the $70 I paid for the kit.

A

11-09-2009, 09:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
brian2sun Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Mtns, CA Posts: 493	Yeah it looks like the valve cover gaskets to me. I'm sure you checked the oil filter too (mine loosened up once and started leaking), but it looks pretty saturated so that may be part of the issue. __________________ 97 4Runner SR5 3.4L 4x4 305/70R16 Mastercraft M/Ts on black stock 6 spokes 2.5" suspension lift ARB Bullbar ARB rear locker 4.88s Factory wood grain dash My 4th Toyota truck "If guns kill people, then pens write novels."

11-09-2009, 05:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
jrallan26 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Urbandale, Iowa Posts: 1,548	Look on the bright side, the oil leak will keep the frame from rusting.... __________________ My Profile

11-11-2009, 07:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
Kiroshu Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: wade, NC Posts: 1,305	Yea just clean it all up and watch it for a week and see if it doesn't lea by then your good. __________________ 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.)

11-12-2009, 03:13 PM	#15 (permalink)
Kiroshu Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: wade, NC Posts: 1,305	^Doesn't get any luckier than that either.... __________________ 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.)

11-16-2009, 07:48 AM	#17 (permalink)
SC4Runner Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: 5th Gen San Diegan, California Posts: 5,885	Wow I am surprised that they were your valve cover gaskets. I would have almost bet money it was the rear main. Because my leak looks exactly the same... slow moving, but I know the rear main has a leak. I checked all the gaskets up top and they seem OK. Maybe I should replace them anyways. ) __________________ 1996 4x4 3.4L 4Runner on 35's - 6" of lift, MTR's, E-locked, ARB Tacoma Bumper, Sliders and a cut off tail pipe. 1966 FJ40 - SOA with stock springs, stock 1F motor, and a smelly tailpipe. Last edited by SC4Runner; 11-16-2009 at 07:49 AM.

11-09-2009, 12:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
xcmountain80 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 1,876	Yeah the more I think about it and the area of saturation the more I think the valve cover gasket. I'll call Toyota today and see what they will run me. I can't imagine this is a difficult job compared to removal and re-install of the fron and rear thirds. Aaron

11-09-2009, 03:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
xcmountain80 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 1,876	Got the seals and forgot the tube seals (pick them up tomorrow). Will do a swap on Thursday. A

11-09-2009, 05:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
xcmountain80 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 1,876	I have no rust, other than the typical exhaust rust and any spot we whacked a rock in our travels. A

11-09-2009, 06:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
xcmountain80 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 1,876	It's probably been slowly leaking since 100 and change but a slow leak at that. I hope this fixes the leaks as I hate them with a passion. A

11-10-2009, 02:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
xcmountain80 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 1,876	Ok driver side done, now on to the pass side. I think I will wait until my dynamic tensioner pulley comes in and oil change kit for SC b4 I put it all back together. A

11-11-2009, 03:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
xcmountain80 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 1,876	Ok, both sides done and fluro additive added to make certain leaks are evident if I missed something. A

11-11-2009, 06:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
xcmountain80 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 1,876	20 miles down and no glowing leaks with the CSI kit. I simple greened and wash the old yuk off. A

11-11-2009, 07:53 PM	#13 (permalink)
xcmountain80 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 1,876	The leak detection can be bought for less but mine covers ac, coolant, and oil based liquids. Purchased for $68 at Napa and comes in a storage case. It has helped me source a evil t-case leak that led to a double gasket replacement and shifter seat replacement. A

11-12-2009, 05:16 AM	#14 (permalink)
lexustech Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 56	check the valve covers bolts- mine were leaking and the bolts were finger tight, guess they loosened up over the miles, tightened them and leak went away, doesn't get any cheaper than that

11-15-2009, 09:55 PM	#16 (permalink)
xcmountain80 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 1,876	Well after 230K I decided I should just replace the seals and re RTV the spots that require it. No leaks do date, though the oil filter came loose the other day and made me think twice. A

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