I bought an 85 4 runner with the 22re engine that has several oil leaks. the oil pan and valve cover are simple enough. how hard is it to change the front timing cover gasket? that seems to be where the most oil is coming from. are there any other places I need to check for leaks on the engine. I have always played with jeeps, never worked on a yota.

 

I have gotten auto-rx to stop a rear main seal leak which would be very painful to replace. Valve cover gaskets are easy on the 22re (not so for the 3vze...).

 

Does it have oil on the bottom of the oil pump? Like it is coming from behind the harmonic balancer?

 

not sure, I have not looked closely at it. just going on what the previous owner said. it will take alot of degreaser to tell for sure. what would I be looking at if it was?

 

If the front crank seal is leaking, it will sling oil on the ground between the front tires while running sitting still.

 

Yes as 4runnerx3 said if the front main seal is leaking you will definately know it. Mine has gone out on me twice now. It doesn't like being started not plugged in at -40 and the seal seems to go when I do that. Its been a common problem with the 22Rs I know of as of the 3 22Rs and one 20R I've worked with 3 of them have had a leaking front seal.

 

I got some of the RV thats in an arisal can. Then I cut the tip into a point. Backed off the bolts around the timing cover then ran the can around the gap. So far 1 week I've stopped the leaks....