I have a 1995 3VZE with auto trans.

I rebuilt the upper half of my engine because of a blown head gasket, about a year ago. Only after that I realized it was still leaking oil: about 1 quart every 2,000 miles.

Oil seeps all over the belly of the engine, about 1/2 down the drivetrain. It's just messy.

So I have a few questions:

a) do oil leaks get worse, and does this depend on where it's leaking from? (I think it's a rear main seal)

b) do I have a reliable truck, so long I keep filling the oil?


My main issue is reliability - I run a photography business and I don't want my engine to blow on the way to a job or something. Am I overly freaking out for no reason?

Ben

 

Yes, Yes, and maybe-but.

Where are you going to park a truck that leaks that much oil? Unless your job is photographing oil wells, you need to get that fixed.

But before you start, get that engine clean enough to eat from! I use spray-on engine degreaser and a garden hose (try to keep it away from the distributor). EVERY leak looks like the main seal (or pan), because gravity pulls the oil down.

You may find out that your leak is pretty easy to fix (like a valve cover gasket). And you'd hate to replace the main seal and have it fix nothing.

Good luck!

 

None. I hate leaks. I fix them as soon as they start. Much eaiser that way

 

3vz with 5 speed.

None. Valve cover gaskets and the oil pan are the main culprits when it comes to oil leaks. and they're both relatively easy to replace the gaskets on.

 

I hate a leaky, greasy engine and leaks get fixed ASAP. No oil usage for me at 192,000 miles.

You really need to take scope103's advice and clean it up to figure out the origin and go from there.....you'll not likely find the origin in that greasy mess.

 

Thanks guys - so how do you discover exactly where the leak is coming from? I know my valve covers leak a VERY small amount (dribble here and there), but there's no way that's where its all coming from. Ditto with my power steering pump - but again the oil isn't ATF, so I know it's coming from the engine.

How do I discover where the leak is from?

Ben

 

Degrease the motor and clean it, then look for the leak(s).

Or take it to a mehcanic.

:wabbit2:

 

My 22re is currently leak free.

 

192,000 and no leaks, but ive got a rod knocking so im not exactly problem free.