06-15-2020, 09:35 PM
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#16
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Update: I don't think it's a leak on the gasket in the front, I think I might have a rear main leak that's running to the front or a valve cover leak that's running to the front. I'm thinking more likely a rear main since it's low enough that even when parked downhill the oil level is high enough to get out and run towards the front. If it was a valve cover I would think it wouldnt leak except after it's been running for a while.
Thoughts?
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06-15-2020, 10:25 PM
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#17
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When you were parked facing down hill was the runner also leaning to the passenger side? The reason i ask is because i had a leak the same condition of yours, and found it was the brake fluid reservoir cap leaking and ran down the motor. Only did it when i parked facing down hill.
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06-15-2020, 10:38 PM
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#18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RedSled
When you were parked facing down hill was the runner also leaning to the passenger side? The reason i ask is because i had a leak the same condition of yours, and found it was the brake fluid reservoir cap leaking and ran down the motor. Only did it when i parked facing down hill.
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Nah it was level other than facing downhill, plus the fluid was definitely oil not brake fluid. I'm confused because I think there's a valve cover leak, but that's not what was leaking out of the front because the level wouldn't be high enough for that to matter, so I'm thinking there's multiple sources of leaks. Valve cover, rear main and possibly oil pan as well. The bell housing is pretty wet with oil and it goes all the way up the engine pretty much.
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06-15-2020, 11:42 PM
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#19
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Here's a hint, add a florescent dye to your oil, run it for a bit. Park it down hill and track it with a black light flash light. Did this a ton when I worked at a vw dealer.
Could be a rear main, oil builds up in bell housing and once parked down hill it drips out. But it's hard to explain why there is oil on the white starter/alt cable housing in the front of the pan. Oil creeps upwards but doesn't defy gravity. I think at this point, front main and cam seals, oil pan, and rear main are suspect and probably should be replaced. Yes, tons of work, but you know it's done right. Might as well do cam seals and vc gasket as well. A newly sealed engine.
But make sure the seal surfaces are smooth and clean of gouges and nicks. That will cause problems. Ive always disliked chasing oil leaks. They can be a total blast
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06-16-2020, 01:26 AM
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#20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2TH4IST
Here's a hint, add a florescent dye to your oil, run it for a bit. Park it down hill and track it with a black light flash light. Did this a ton when I worked at a vw dealer.
Could be a rear main, oil builds up in bell housing and once parked down hill it drips out. But it's hard to explain why there is oil on the white starter/alt cable housing in the front of the pan. Oil creeps upwards but doesn't defy gravity. I think at this point, front main and cam seals, oil pan, and rear main are suspect and probably should be replaced. Yes, tons of work, but you know it's done right. Might as well do cam seals and vc gasket as well. A newly sealed engine.
But make sure the seal surfaces are smooth and clean of gouges and nicks. That will cause problems. Ive always disliked chasing oil leaks. They can be a total blast
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I actually just did the dye thing and wouldn't you know it I can't find dye anywhere. I parked it uphill though thinking that maybe I would catch it coming out of the bell housing or vc. I'm gonna go check again and then park it facing down and see what happens.
It's so weird to me that the back of the block and everything is wet and seems to have leaked recently but the puddles only come when I park downhill.
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06-16-2020, 01:53 AM
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#21
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Ok, so it's wet up top and back of block. There are 2 areas on the 3.4 rear of the heads that can leak besides the vc gasket. One is the half moons (both heads have them on the back) they are a half circle that seals a machined part of the head, known to leak due to heat expansion and breakdown of the sealant (use silicon or toyota fipg). Two, there is a cam plug on the drivers side head at the rear, it is a metal plug (like a freeze plug) with a rubberized coating that can leak with age. Replace with new one with some silicon or fipg on the outside edge.
Both of those can leak down into the bell housing and cause it to leak only when parked downhill. It's a PITA to see back there but you can with a flashlight and a small mechanics mirror. Check there for the dye too. Unless the previous owner cracked a Valve cover doing gaskets. Or he did gaskets and forgot to replace the metal/rubber valve cover bolt washers.
But still doesn't explain the oil on the starter/alt white plastic cable cover. Could it be power steering fluid? I know the 4runners use atf, but some use a clear ps fluid.
Seems odd that everything is leaking. My 2000 3.4 245k miles and the front main seal was dry as a bone (still replaced it when I did the water pump). All other seals besides the oil pan and rear main seal are pretty easy.
I'd do 100 3.4 vc gaskets , cam seals, half moons, front main seals then do 1 v6 vw passatt vc gasket and cam tensioner any day lol.
Oh yes if you do decide to tackle the half moons be careful to not get old sealant into the oil return holes. Cover the area with rags or something.
Holy smokes I rambled on. Keep us updated. This may have not been asked, but it isn't your clutch slave cylinder that is leaking is it? Driver's side lower bell housing. Did a friends 4runner 3.4 manual clutch slave cylinder that finally kicked the bucket at 378k miles, fricken original clutch too!
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06-16-2020, 11:24 PM
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#22
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Another update: parked uphill leaking much less but there's definitely coolant dripping off the oil pan, it wasn't lighting up under the UV light and upon closer inspection it's definitely green. Looked in the radiator and it's completely full so I'm hoping it's just some excess leaking out of the overflow reservoir? It's not a huge leak but it's definitely coolant coming out of the front somewhere.
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06-17-2020, 07:51 AM
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#23
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Check the weep hole from the water pump then.
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06-17-2020, 07:52 AM
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#24
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Doesn’t sound like the engine on that rig was maintained very well.
Coolant seeps up front tend to be water pump failure.
As for the oil leaks. Remove the skid plates and then clean the engine and front running gear real well with degreaser. It’s probably easiest to go to one of those do it yourself car washes with a fist full of quarters.
Then once it’s all clean you can drive it a bit and then inspect for leaks. Leave the skids off till you find and resolve your different leaks.
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06-17-2020, 12:34 PM
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#25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gone4broke
Another update: parked uphill leaking much less but there's definitely coolant dripping off the oil pan, it wasn't lighting up under the UV light and upon closer inspection it's definitely green. Looked in the radiator and it's completely full so I'm hoping it's just some excess leaking out of the overflow reservoir? It's not a huge leak but it's definitely coolant coming out of the front somewhere.
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So is it a coolant leak or an oil leak or both? For the oil leak in that area I'd like to mention an area not mentioned - the oring on the end of the oil dipstick tube. Spray some brake clean and get it dry and powdery then park on your hill. For the coolant leak, There really should be a white trail somewhere. And as with all leaks, try to find the "highest" and most forward wet spot in the area you see the oil or coolant accumulation.
EDIT: I read your comment a few more times and it sounds like you feel it's coolant. As I said, there should be dried whitish build up where it leaking from. WP weep hole or gasket, upper and lower rad hoses and where they connect to the motor, coolant hoses going to the IAC under the throttle body, the radiator itself with the coolant blowing back on to the front of the motor.
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Last edited by JRZEE2000TR4LTD; 06-17-2020 at 12:41 PM.
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10-15-2022, 01:45 PM
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#26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RedSled
When you were parked facing down hill was the runner also leaning to the passenger side? The reason i ask is because i had a leak the same condition of yours, and found it was the brake fluid reservoir cap leaking and ran down the motor. Only did it when i parked facing down hill.
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I parked my car down hill . Car facing down hill. Noticed brake resorvior cap leaked fluid.
Did you just replace cap? It it solve problem?
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10-15-2022, 11:44 PM
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#27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue4
I parked my car down hill . Car facing down hill. Noticed brake resorvior cap leaked fluid.
Did you just replace cap? It it solve problem?
Thanks
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Yes.
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