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1985 4Runner, Automatic, 22RE brand new engine with LCE parts
My (8 month) brand new engine is leaking oil from somewhere in the rear and has been leaking oil from day 1. I had a local (reputable) engine builder put the engine together using only Toyota/LCE parts. The block is the only original part of the engine. The engine is leaking oil from the rear but I cannot tell if it is the pan or rear main. The leak is between the engine and transmission and not coming from the inside of the transmission outer housing (see pictures). I verified this by putting my hand in the access hole and there is no oil in there.
I replaced the oil pan with a new one, new gasket with Toyota FIPG, new Toyota gasket with FIPG, new LCE oil pan bolts......this has to be the rear main. Is there any of of definitively knowing without having to take this to a mechanic?
Sorry to hear about your issue. Sounds like everything was done right.
If your block was cleaned all the oil galley plugs should have been removed. It is very easy to overlook the rear plug. Failure to seal and torque the plug to spec will cause oil to leak. Here is a picture from the LCE website.
Thanks for that info....I can't imagine the engine builder forgetting to install these plugs but I will ask just to doublecheck. I assume if they were missed that I would have to pull the engine out or drop the transmission in order to install them.
I’m sure the galley plug is there, otherwise oil would pour out but the machine shop my not have torqued it. I’ve had this happen before and found the trail of oil coming from the plug that was finger tight.
Yes, the tranny would need to be dropped.
Good luck.
Last edited by FrankTorres; 09-14-2018 at 07:45 PM.
Check the half moons that go between the valve cover and the head they need some RTV to prevent oil leaks from the front and back of the engine, also make sure the valve cover bolts are torqued to specs and not let oil seep out.
Check the half moons that go between the valve cover and the head they need some RTV to prevent oil leaks from the front and back of the engine, also make sure the valve cover bolts are torqued to specs and not let oil seep out.
This is my first go to. I have chased oil leaks on several rigs. That stuff can cover some ground before it makes a big mess.
I have seen 'em leak at the timing cover, oil pump,and/or front main seal; then the oil runs along the block to oil pan seam and eventually shows up at the bellhousing bottom.
Millball, spot on! Indeed the timing cover bolts were not torqued and I re tightened them. That fixed the problem. So I figure that when I brought the 4Runner in to have the AC serviced which included a new AC compressor a few weeks back, the service shop removed the bracket along with the AC compressor and never tightened the bolts to spec. I also noticed that the plate on the back of the engine (4x 12 mm bolts) needed to be tightened and that also seemed to help with the leak coming from the rear. So far, so good and we'll see how it holds up but thanks again for everyone's help identifying the issue.
09-14-2018, 01:05 PM
