LuckyStrike

My 98 taco with a 3rz and 88,000 miles is leaking about a quart of oil every 3,000 miles. I would love to find this leak and fix it, are there any real common places these engines will start to leak? I don't think its burning the oil, how could I tell the difference? Thanks.

Kiroshu

Valve cover gasket. Pretty common leaker on the 3rz...

Are you noticing any puddles? That would be a sign of external leak...

A quart of oil usage is normal for most high mileage engines around 3-5k miles....

However being only 88k i would suspect an issue...

Look under the hood for leaks?

PCV valve stuck? Causing excess crank case pressure and thus pulling more oil into the intake to be re-burned and or releasing pressure at a weakly sealed area...

Oil Weight too thin?

Lots of excessive speeds driving?

Towing?

^-- Consume more oil.

Poor Quality oil?

LuckyStrike

I think the leak is external... almost the entire skid plate is covered in half an inch of oil. Also parts of the front axle are covered too, but the weird thing is I can't see any oil on the engine. Tried taking the skid plate off but one of the bolts is stripped! Just got this truck so its got some issues from the previous owner that need some tlc.

DixieThunder

I remove at least one of those skids every day it seems like. They can be a major PITA! Is the oil tending to be on the driver side? I don't know how long it's been having those leaks but a little birdie is telling you that if you are taking it to a Jiffy Lube that could be part of the problem. NO it's not because all Jiffy Lubes do shotty work, that just isn't the case. Rather that company may have an issue currently with the 3614 oil filters being used. On top of that the location of it make it difficult for some pit techs to get it good and tight. I know you may have leaks else where but that's just something to look for when you get that skid off. Oh and when you do don't be alarmed by a large build up of old oil on the drivers side middle/front of the engine and steering components and what not. All thanks to the filter location.