11-25-2019, 10:49 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2017
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Real Name: Leon
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Mystery Oil Leak
I'm seeing some seepage on the front passenger side of the oil pan (pic below). I'm guessing it's not the pan itself (fingers crossed), because the engine block above the pan is also slightly wet. So it's probably coming from above, but I can't see from where.
I've replaced the valve cover gaskets last year, and I see no leakage from them. I also replaced the dipstick o-ring. And the oil cooler looks completely dry too.
I'm wondering if it can be power steering fluid, given the location, but I can't see the bottom of the reservoir or pump. Also it seems more like engine oil than PS fluid.
I tried cleaning and monitoring, but the seepage is so small that by the time I notice it, it seems to have covered a large area uniformly.
Any ideas?
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1997 4Runner Limited 4WD E-Locker ~200k | Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 265/75/16 | Pro Comp 69 16x8 | OME 2906 | B&M 70264
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11-25-2019, 11:11 AM
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#2
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Join Date: May 2011
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How far up the block does it run Leon?
When I see oil seepage like such I either think pan or crank seal.
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11-25-2019, 11:35 AM
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#3
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Join Date: Feb 2015
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Real Name: Tim
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First of all, that oil leak doesn't look that bad. There isn't even a drip forming anywhere. Like
@ LittleCaesar
eluded to, with any oil leak, you need to start from below looking and feeling for how high the sign of oil leaking goes so you can narrow down the origin. Oil and any other fluid can come down from above traveling along engine parts, frame members, etc and the accumulation you're seeing is well away from the source it's coming from. I don't know if there's enough there that you can tell what kind of oil it is, but that would certainly narrow it down for you if you can discern if it's either engine oil or ATF. Again like
@ LittleCaesar
mentioned, your crank seal is just around the corner from there and it could be dripping down onto the starter wire and traveling along it. But, I would think a crank seal leak would most likely show itself along the front side of the oil pan unless you regularly park at a slant towards the passenger side.
The power steering is a definite possibility and the o-ring that seals the reservoir to the pump is a common source of a leak. Put your hand under the reservoir and feel for wetness.
Or, it could be the fact that your oil pan is leaking. If that's the case, I'd just let it leak unless you want to spend the time pulling out your front differential so you can get your oil pan off.
@ JZiggy
and I actually did this job at his house in Palo Alto. I've now gotten really good at pulling front differentials working with Jordan because we also pulled it out a couple times for when he added a True Trac limited slip into his front diff but then had to pull it back out when we realized there was a problem with the CV axles fitting into the differential.
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11-25-2019, 11:48 AM
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#5
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Leon, that looks like an oil pan gasket seep to me. But I'm with Tim -- it's very minor and I'd leave it alone or wait until you have a reason to pull your front diff and address it then.
@ mtbtim
only a true friend would help pull a front diff 3 times (1st aborted attempt, successful attempt, and then regearing).
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11-25-2019, 12:49 PM
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#6
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I have the exact same seepage on the driver side and I can see it starting up at the left side of crank seal.
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11-25-2019, 04:35 PM
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#7
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I have the exact same thing going on and I took it to Toyota and they said cam or crank seals are bad. I left it alone because it was just a seep at the time but now it is dripping on the ground, so I'll need to address this pretty soon.
hope that helps.
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11-25-2019, 04:43 PM
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#9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brillo_76
I am just curious. What type of oil are you using with these engines seeping and getting worse?
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what would oil type have to do with seeping? seals and gasket deteriorate.
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11-25-2019, 04:47 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2017
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Thanks for the feedback guys. It's definitely not a bad leak, more of a "controlled seepage" as Jaguar helpfully dispositioned their 70's XJ6's, but I digress.
I dug a little further; the power steering pump and reservoir, are totally dry, so it's definitely an oil leak. The block is dry higher up, so it's not valve covers. I'm a bit puzzled by oil above the gasket line, but I guess it can creep up. Here's another picture; it's right behind the AC compressor:
I'm leaning to it being the oil pan, which I have no plans to address at the moment (I read that it's a toss up between dropping the front diff or pulling the motor, none of which appeal to me at the moment after spending a quality weekend under the truck refreshing the front end):
I doubt it's the crank seal, as I replaced it within the past two years when I did the timing belt. Of course I could have screwed it up, but it seems to not be coming from that area.
Anyway, I'll just monitor it, and view it as free rust protection. If it gets worse, I'll fly Jordan out to CA to help out .
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11-25-2019, 04:50 PM
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#12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brillo_76
I am just curious. What type of oil are you using with these engines seeping and getting worse?
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I use Mobil 1 5W-30 High Mileage oil. I've heard that synthetics may exacerbate leaks, I suppose I could switch back to dino and see if that helps.
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1997 4Runner Limited 4WD E-Locker ~200k | Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 265/75/16 | Pro Comp 69 16x8 | OME 2906 | B&M 70264
Addicted Offroad Front Bumper | Spiker Engineering High-Lift Hood Struts and Ultragauge Mount
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11-25-2019, 04:54 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brillo_76
True. However, synthetic oil is super thin and can run out old seals. That's why I asked. Going up a grade of oil [5w to 10w]weight may stop or slow the leak until the owners have time to replace seals.
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Might try that, I hate grease on my freshly painted suspension and skid plates.
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1997 4Runner Limited 4WD E-Locker ~200k | Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 265/75/16 | Pro Comp 69 16x8 | OME 2906 | B&M 70264
Addicted Offroad Front Bumper | Spiker Engineering High-Lift Hood Struts and Ultragauge Mount
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11-25-2019, 04:56 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2017
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Real Name: Leon
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brillo_76
True. However, synthetic oil is super thin and can run out old seals. That's why I asked. Going up a grade of oil [5w to 10w]weight may stop or slow the leak until the owners have time to replace seals.
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Pondering this a bit further though - the oil pan is the one "seal" that's actually not a seal, it's FIPG. Would that also be susceptible to the "synthetic oil is thinner" issue, since it should not dry/rot out like rubber seals?
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1997 4Runner Limited 4WD E-Locker ~200k | Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 265/75/16 | Pro Comp 69 16x8 | OME 2906 | B&M 70264
Addicted Offroad Front Bumper | Spiker Engineering High-Lift Hood Struts and Ultragauge Mount
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11-25-2019, 06:47 PM
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#15
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[QUOTE=
I doubt it's the crank seal, as I replaced it within the past two years when I did the timing belt. [/QUOTE]
mine is only 2 years old also. i think it got installed incorrectly. it still might be worth looking at that, i think
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