xcmountain80

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.










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brian2sun

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

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

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

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jrallan26

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

xcmountain80

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

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02_Limited

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

xcmountain80

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.

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xcmountain80

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.

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xcmountain80

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

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xcmountain80

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

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Kiroshu

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

xcmountain80

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.


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lexustech

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

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

xcmountain80

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.

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BajaRunner

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

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.

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