I have a 1996 Landcruiser that I purchased over 1 1/2 years ago and I have been completing the necissary PM to keep it on the road for many years to come. I seem to be either losing oil or burning oil and cant figure it out. I have replaced the Distributor O ring, Oil Pump Seal and upper and lower oil pans & Oil Pressure Sensor Seal thinking it would reduce my oil consumption which is about a quart or 2 every 1000 miles depending on how I drive it. The Cruiser runs perfect and I had a Leak down and pressure test and everything was normal for the age and mileage of the vehicle. It has 177K on the clock and has been an outstanding vehicle other than the frustration with the oil levels and refills everyother fill up. Prior to me purchasing the vehicle they relplaced the Valve Cover Gasket, but I cant help to think that they didnt do it right and it is leaking from the back of the engine. Last night I felt behind the valve cover and it is pretty black and wet with oil. I also looked under the exhaust and the block between 5-6 looks pretty wet too.... Would this be a culpret to the heavy oil consumption? I know the crusier is going to burn some oil for its age and mileage, but it seems to be excessive... The other odd thing is that I only see a few drips that collect on the bell housing under the vehicle and it doesnt really drop any oil on the garage floor... I am puzzled and any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Since you're not seeing any evidence on the ground, you will have to start somewhere. Personally, I would just start replacing easy stuff. Get Toyota parts and go for it. Engine degreaser and a car wash. Replace the Valve cover gasket and then see where the next leak is. If it keeps losing oil, it would have to be internal.

 

mine just eats oil i think its because of old rings. i probably should get it rebuilt. how many miles does yours have?

 

OP stated 177K on the clock.....

Which isn't a whole lot if its been even mostly maintained....

 

Its likely internal if you don't see any evidence on the floor of your garage. Do a compression test, once dry and then do it again with a small amount of motor oil in squirted into the cylinder. If the results don't change much then there is no problem with the rings but if the results go up a fair bit then it needs rings. If it passes the compression test then the other likely internal problem and cheaper is the valve seals. If it smokes blue with your foot off the gas going down a long hill that is a good indicator, the low manifold pressure will suck the oil down the valve guides.