Tranny fluid or coolant - Page 2 - Toyota 4Runner Forum

tvpierce · 01-10-2020, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgalloni

Like mentioned before the valve gaskets were replaced at 126k doubt they broke again but you never know. I was reading in another forum that it could be the shaft seal and the torque converter seal but if that is the case that is going to be expensive.

It's common for the bolts securing the valve covers to be loose. Check and re-torque them if necessary. It's free and easy. Mine were only finger-tight when I had a seaping valve cover gasket.

Do you have a torque wrench?

cgalloni · 01-10-2020, 02:27 PM

Well guys, my father took the truck to my mechanic today. He says that I have to wash the truck below to have a clearer picture but he doesn't think is the transmission. He checked the fluid and the fluid its fine. After he looked at it a bit more it seems the valve cover is broken after it was tighten too much by the previous owner ( i imagine it was when they replaced the gasket. My father took the truck there and the mechanic says that is cracked and that i have to replace the cover and new seal Below is a pic. What do you guys think ?

Bad Luck · 01-10-2020, 03:43 PM

I don't see a crack or damage to the valve cover anywhere in that photo

cgalloni · 01-10-2020, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad Luck

I don't see a crack or damage to the valve cover anywhere in that photo

Its actually cracked under the bolt. Really hard to take a pic from other angles. but if you see below the bolt is has oil all over it. Well according to the mechanic that is where the leak is coming from!

Bad Luck · 01-10-2020, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgalloni

Its actually cracked under the bolt. Really hard to take a pic from other angles. but if you see below the bolt is has oil all over it. Well according to the mechanic that is where the leak is coming from!

I still don't see it. Can you highlight it in paint and repost?

It sounds to me like your mechanic is grasping for straws here. There looks to be a lot of oil leaking from the opposite end of the valve cover from the oil fill cap. My money is still on valve cover gaskets/cam plugs. The person that did the valve cover gasket probably didn't do the half moons or cam plug correctly.

cgalloni · 01-10-2020, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad Luck

I still don't see it. Can you highlight it in paint and repost?

It sounds to me like your mechanic is grasping for straws here. There looks to be a lot of oil leaking from the opposite end of the valve cover from the oil fill cap. My money is still on valve cover gaskets/cam plugs. The person that did the valve cover gasket probably didn't do the half moons or cam plug correctly.

I just look at it myself and you can’t see in the picture but it starts right where the circle is also I think Is leaking from the back where cam housing plug is

brillo_76 · 01-10-2020, 10:35 PM

I believe there is a misprint in the FSM and it says ft/lbs instead of inch pounds for the torque of the valve pan gaskets bolts.

The cam shaft half moons and valve pan gaskets are notorious for seeping and if whoever changed them didn't know enough to not overtighten the valve pan they probably didn't do the cam seals like bad luck suggested.

Looks like you found your leak as I didn't think it was the transmission or power steering. ;)

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

plcfcng · 01-10-2020, 10:49 PM

when they pull the valve covers don't for get to reseal the half moons in the front and back.

Sarki · 01-11-2020, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aontkos

My money is on leaking valve cover gaskets/half moons/cam plugs. The color of the fluid on your finger looks like fresh motor oil.

Just because they were replaced recently does not mean they were replaced correctly. It might even be as simple as re-torquing the valve cover bolts.

As others have indicated, several potential sources for the leak but sure looks like valve cover gaskets to me as well.

Sorry guys.....missed the 2nd page of responses when I added these comments.
Didn’t see comment about the cracked valve cover, makes sense.

BostonJon · 01-11-2020, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brillo_76

I believe there is a misprint in the FSM and it says ft/lbs instead of inch pounds for the torque of the valve pan gaskets bolts.

The cam shaft half moons and valve pan gaskets are notorious for seeping and if whoever changed them didn't know enough to not overtighten the valve pan they probably didn't do the cam seals like bad luck suggested.

Looks like you found your leak as I didn't think it was the transmission or power steering. ;)

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

I think the misprint on torque values in the FSM is the rear differential studs. I think the valve cover numbers are accurate.

brillo_76 · 01-11-2020, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BostonJon

I think the misprint on torque values in the FSM is the rear differential studs. I think the valve cover numbers are accurate.

I stand corrected. I checked both 2001 FSM and 1997 FSM and the Torque is 6 N m or 53 in lbf so no reason on earth to overtighten and crank the cover. I thought I read somewhere there was a misprint in a FSM on the covers.

So the people cracking these covers by over tightening them really shouldn't be turning wrenches. :/

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

cgalloni · 01-11-2020, 11:32 PM

Thanks everybody. Bought the replacement valve cover new gaskets and cam housing plugs as well I will have them replaced as soon as I get the parts. Thanks to everyone

Bad Luck · 01-14-2020, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgalloni

I just look at it myself and you can’t see in the picture but it starts right where the circle is also I think Is leaking from the back where cam housing plug is

I still don't see this valve cover crack you're talking about. To clarify I'm looking for a crack in the valve cover in the photos. Not a crack in the valve cover gasket.

phattyduck · 01-14-2020, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad Luck

I still don't see this valve cover crack you're talking about. To clarify I'm looking for a crack in the valve cover in the photos. Not a crack in the valve cover gasket.

The crack runs from the red circle to just above the bolt in the photo. Most of the crack is hidden by the oil cap.

-Charlie