JShaffer0525

So I just changed my oil on my new 87 4runner and found out that the oil filter was completely dry. I finished changing the oil and drove around for about 30 miles to make sure everything was ok. Several hours later I attempted to go home (200 mi drive) and made it about 5 miles before it stalled and a lot of smoke came out of the exhaust. there is now a milk shake like mixture on the oil dipstick and Im assuming the head gasket is bad?

I guess I just want to know what would cause the oil filter to be dry and clean when the oil on the oil dipstick was dirty but at the proper level. The previous owner claimed he just rebuilt the engine and I'm guessing he did something wrong.

If that doesnt make sense Im sorry but at first the previous owner was going to return my money but he just sent me an email saying he changed his mind so Im a little somewhere near wits end.

JShaffer0525

I should clarify.

The oil filter I took off which should have been full of dirty oil was completely dry and look like the internals were new. I then put on a new filter and continued to change the oil.


Anyone have a 3.4 for sale?

thefatkid

What brand of filter? most aftermarket filters don't have a anti drain-back valve. On a engine where the oil filter points down or at an angle the oil drains back into the pan after time. This leaves a dry looking filter.

JShaffer0525

purolator pureone. this isnt just a dry filter, this a a very internally clean filter. ive done many oil changes and never seen anything like this. i have a 94 xtracab with a 22re and i dont remember its filter ever being like this.

toyminator2000

I have a 3.4 that I would sell from a 2000 4Runner complete with all wiring, computer, etc. 96,000 miles. pm me if you are interested.

thook

Dry maybe, but not brand new and clean. Dirty oil should atleast leave stains.

Either the oil pump wasn't working, or the oil galleys were blocked somehow. And, it certainly reeks of a blown HG. That sucks. Sorry to hear it.

What motor was it? 22re or 3vze?

Edit: You guys are too fast....

JShaffer0525

ah sorry, 22re.

toyminator- asking to buy a 3.4 was more of a stressed out joke and attempt to make me happy. i cannot afford to put a new engine in. but, just for humor sake, how much are you looking for?

abecedarian

a blown headgasket is highly likely but I think more importantly is the seeming lack of oil. if oil wasn't circulating there's about a 99.9% chance the bearings are toasted. there is a bypass valve on the oil pump that would dump oil back into the pan if it were stuck open. this could explain the lack of oil in the filter, however I don't personally believe 100% of the oil would be diverted to the pan.

JShaffer0525

ty, guess ill check that tomorrow?

toyminator2000

$1200 - with the wiring/ecm

JShaffer0525

dang it, i want it. sadly, this is my only vehicle so i have to throw another 22re in for cost sake. the full conversion kit is something like 1600 on top of your engine price . thats a lot better priced than i was expecting though.

desconhecido

Sounds like two unrelated issues -- head gasket issue and oil filter issue.

It would seem to me that if the main oil pressure relief valve were stuck open, or if the oil pump were installed without the pressure piston and spring, there might still be enough oil flow to get oil to the filter and beyond. According to the manual, all oil goes through the filter after leaving the pump. But, the filter has a bypass valve which will pass unfiltered oil to the engine in the event that the filter is clogged. In any case, if the reason that the oil filter was dry and clean was that there was no oil flow from the pump to the filter, then the engine should have sounded like a tin can full of rocks and you should have had a low oil pressure indication --either gauge or light. Also, your valve train (rockers etc) and distributor drive will be dry. It seems much more likely that either the filter was faulty or not the right filter. I've never heard of a faulty filter, but stranger things. Does your new filter have any oil in it, or indication that it has had?

My wag is that the head gasket issue is unrelated to the oil filter issue -- I don't see any obvious connection. If the engine did not overheat and the head was recently installed, sounds like a bad installation: parts, head/block surface, crappy installation procedure. Unfortunately, the heads going to have to come off and you'll probably be able to figure out where it failed.

Of course, positively figure out about the oil filter thing before you run the engine again -- even with a new head gasket. Make sure you're getting sufficient oil to the moving parts. If you can't verify oil flow to the filter and beyond in any other way, you could crank it a little with the filter removed. Just a little, or you're likely to have a giant mess, and make sure it won't start (center cap wire removed).

JShaffer0525

thanks descon. sadly im now 200mi away from the 4runner because i had to go back to school/work. ill have my dad pull the new filter and see if there is any oil. there was no low oil pressure indication and there was no noise (i know exactly what noise youre talking about). im hoping it was just a 1 time deal and i can just replace the head because i really dont want to drop a new engine in until i can afford a 3.4 swap.