Morning all,

As a long time lurker while searching for my 1st 4runner, I would like to say thank you for all the insight and tips offered by everyone here, it has been invaluable.

Ended up buying a 98 2wd with 94k miles. Everything so far seems to be in good shape, with the exception of this minor oil leak that started after I had the dealership do an oil change about a week after i purchased it (no leaks prior). They used 5w20 synthetic blend and so i figured this minor weeping was just due to the change in oil weight from the 10w30 the previous owner had used.

Today I decided to change the oil back to 10w30 valvoline maxlife and while underneath noticed what looks like RTV pulling away from where the oil pan meets the bell housing, it is very dry and brittle. has this always been there or something the previous owner did, as it does not seem very reliable?

In the pictures below i've circled in red where it was falling down from the oilpan/bell housing, in green is what was leftover, and in blue where my oil is weeping.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I believe there is a gasket that goes between the block and bellhousing, but having never pulled one apart, I can't say for sure. That leak may be a rear main seal that it going.

Considering that your 4runner may not have been driven daily, or much considering the miles on it, the choice of using ML 10w-30 is good. I have seen ML reduce to stop leaks in more than a few autos. I'd give it 500 miles then look over it again.

As you can figure thought the ultimate repair is to replace the oil pan gasket as well as the rear main. Take a look to make sure though your valve covers are not leaking in the rear.

I don't think that is any part of an oil seal that you pulled out. I would bet it's either your oil pan, rear main seal or possibly even a valve cover leaking. I would try putting a socket on the oil pan bolts just making sure they are snug, and switch back to 10-30.

Thanks for the input guys.

The leak itself is a worry to me because of course I just bought it about a month ago. Since I'm not losing a measurable amount of oil I have a kinda of wait and see attitude, especially after putting in the maxlife. (Per everything I have read here). Only time will tell...

I am a little more concerned about that gasket/rtv that was falling off...

Inside that little lip of the bell housing where the oil pan sits is damp when i stick my finger in there (Of course this could come from the leaking oil). I just don't want to be driving it without a seal/gasket that "should" be there, but as brittle and flaking as it was, it just did not appear to be critical.

Thanks again!

You should be fine, and if you want to keep it for some time and it isn't a daily driver, consider replacing all the gaskets by pulling the engine one day.

I have seen Maxlife do wonders as far as sealing up dried seals. I imagine that is your case. Just report back in down the road with an update.

FWIW my cousin resides in Houston and has an extended S10 as a beater for lumberyard runs while renovating his house. Very bad leaking rear main seal. He is using Castrol GTX high mileage presently and after six months no more leaks.

I appreciate the help guys.

I still have no idea what that black stuff was that I pulled out of that area, even a few friends and family that looked at it are stumped.

I plan to keep this 4runner a long time, and it will be my daily driver, so I am sure I'll be a regular around here shortly!