Nookster

Hello everyone, newb here. I bought a 89 4runner a year or so ago and its been great. Runs great and doesn't burn oil but leaks oil like a sieve. Over the weekend I finally started working on these leak problems. Replaced the rear main seal and oil pan gasket, what a pita but I still have a little skin left on my knuckles. I think I still have another spot that may be leaking though. I was looking through the maintenance thread for a post that list all possible spots a 3.0 manual shift could leak from and didn't see anything specific. If someone knows could they please post it up. If I still have a small leak I think its coming from the front on the engine. But it doesn't look like the valve cover. Anyway any guidance will be appreciated.

mopar_runner

Oil leaks can be tricky. I had a leak I thought was coming from the rear of the engine since I could see drips from both sides of bell housing. Turns out I neglected to put thread tape on a plug in the oil pump (3vze). Oil would slowly creep down the lip of the oil pan to the back. Any place where there is a hose, gasket, or seal is a potential leak. Power wash it so you have a somewhat clean starting point and follow the drip backwards.

mopar_runner

BTW, welcome! Lots of very good info and people here to help!

Co_94_PU

iTrader: (-1)

Clean dry engine, flash light and inspection mirror. Keep at it and you'll find them all. Good luck!

Nookster

Thanks for the reply's. looks like it will be gunk and a power wash this weekend plus I finally broke down and ordered a service manual that will be in the mail by then.

scope103

Gunk (spray-on engine cleaner) and a garden hose may be enough. You've got to keep that power washer away from anything electrical. That said, it will certainly give you a clean engine!

hockey88fan

The oil cooler would be a good place to look, mine was leaking bad. I did away with the oil cooler when I had the motor rebuilt.