User Tag List

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 01-09-2019, 06:20 PM #1
utmba95 utmba95 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 79
utmba95 is on a distinguished road
utmba95 utmba95 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 79
utmba95 is on a distinguished road
Help identifying leaks

My 2003 V8 started smelling bad in the engine bay after long trips. There are no fluids leaking on the ground, but I took the skid plates off and noticed some oil leaks on both heads. Can you tell if this is the head cover gasket? Head gasket? There's also a fair amount of fluid on the power steering pump, but to me it looks like oil rather than ATF fluid. Thanks for any help or tips to identify the source.
Attached Images
Help identifying leaks-20190109_131846-jpg  Help identifying leaks-20190109_134053-jpg  Help identifying leaks-20190109_134514-jpg  Help identifying leaks-20190109_135001-jpg 
utmba95 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 01-09-2019, 07:01 PM #2
djkurious djkurious is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Middle TN
Posts: 173
djkurious is on a distinguished road
djkurious djkurious is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Middle TN
Posts: 173
djkurious is on a distinguished road
Looks to me to be the valve cover gasket.
__________________
2003 4Runner SR5 V8
319k and counting...
djkurious is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 01-09-2019, 07:33 PM #3
mikewhiskey's Avatar
mikewhiskey mikewhiskey is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: SoCal
Posts: 37
mikewhiskey is on a distinguished road
mikewhiskey mikewhiskey is offline
Member
mikewhiskey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: SoCal
Posts: 37
mikewhiskey is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by djkurious View Post
Looks to me to be the valve cover gasket.
+1

How often do you have to add oil?
mikewhiskey is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 01-09-2019, 08:22 PM #4
utmba95 utmba95 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 79
utmba95 is on a distinguished road
utmba95 utmba95 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 79
utmba95 is on a distinguished road
This is interesting. The smell (and I assume oil leaks) started a few weeks after I did my last oil change in Nov which coincidentally is the first time I've ever used full synthetic oil in it. We've all heard about issues with synthetic oil causing leaks, but I read those were debunked. Looking now, those busted myths seem to be on the oil manufacturer's sites. Or perhaps I got a mislabeled jug with the wrong weight oil. It's awfully coincidental for both valve covers to be leaking that much and me to have not noticed it before.

I think I'll clean off the leaks and put some dino oil in and see what happens. It's still showing nearly 100% full since Nov. so not much has actually leaked out.

I know I'll be judged harshly, but I used Walmart brand high mileage full synthetic: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tec...t-Dx/764492025

Last edited by utmba95; 01-09-2019 at 08:56 PM.
utmba95 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 01-09-2019, 09:55 PM #5
smokey73's Avatar
smokey73 smokey73 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Kemp, Tx
Posts: 125
Real Name: Roddy
smokey73 is on a distinguished road
smokey73 smokey73 is offline
Member
smokey73's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Kemp, Tx
Posts: 125
Real Name: Roddy
smokey73 is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikewhiskey View Post
+1

How often do you have to add oil?
+2

And it's been my experience that if you switch to synthetic on a high mileage engine, you'll never stop all the leaks. I did the same thing on mine at 250k. Oil started leaking from everywhere. I chased leaks for months. I finally switched back to conventional oil and now it's as dry as a bone. You might also check the PVC valve, make sure it's not stuck.
__________________
'03 Limited V8 Toytec Ultimate 3/2.5" General Grabber ATx LT275/70 R17 Rear Grizzley locker
smokey73 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 02-13-2019, 02:32 PM #6
utmba95 utmba95 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 79
utmba95 is on a distinguished road
utmba95 utmba95 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 79
utmba95 is on a distinguished road
It's been about 3 weeks since I changed my oil back to conventional and wiped off the leaked oil that I could get to, and the smell is mostly gone. It does seem like "High Mileage Synthetic Oil" is NOT SUITABLE for high mileage engines. Thanks for the help!
utmba95 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 02-13-2019, 05:10 PM #7
Inv4drZm's Avatar
Inv4drZm Inv4drZm is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Kansas
Age: 28
Posts: 4,300
Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute
Inv4drZm Inv4drZm is offline
Senior Member
Inv4drZm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Kansas
Age: 28
Posts: 4,300
Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute Inv4drZm has a reputation beyond repute
Quote:
Originally Posted by utmba95 View Post
It's been about 3 weeks since I changed my oil back to conventional and wiped off the leaked oil that I could get to, and the smell is mostly gone. It does seem like "High Mileage Synthetic Oil" is NOT SUITABLE for high mileage engines. Thanks for the help!
How many miles do you have on it now?

I wouldn't really consider any Toyota motor under 200k as high mileage. I wouldn't expect any 'high mileage' motor oil to have any benefits in these motors though I don't know how they work exactly.

Heck 'high mileage' is probably closer to 500k with the 2UZ.
__________________
2005 4R Sport 4WD "The last of the V8s!" - Custom TIG'd SS Dual Exhaust - King 2.5" +2 LT. - ARB Front & Rear - 37's - Dana 60 - Build Thread
2005 Tundra 2WD Regular Cab V8 - Chopped Frame - Short Bed Swap
1977 Celica Liftback - LFX Swap - Build Thread
Inv4drZm is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 02-13-2019, 05:44 PM #8
utmba95 utmba95 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 79
utmba95 is on a distinguished road
utmba95 utmba95 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 79
utmba95 is on a distinguished road
High mileage oil is marketed for >75K miles. My '03 V8 has 195K miles on it. I only bought it because it was on sale and as cheap as conventional oil. I expected it could be good for the engine, but I would never have guessed it would be such a bad idea.
utmba95 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 02-13-2019, 07:32 PM #9
AuSeeker AuSeeker is online now
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 4,618
Real Name: Skip
AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future
AuSeeker AuSeeker is online now
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 4,618
Real Name: Skip
AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future AuSeeker has a brilliant future
Have you checked to see if the valve cover bolts are tight, as in at the proper torque?
I ask this because I always check bolts and nuts for being loose periodically, and also I know that my valve cover bolts were loose when I bought my T4R and it had signs of slightly leaking at the valve covers, after thighening them no more signs of any leaking, I also use a synthentic oil since I bought it and the oil that was in it was not, and I changed my oil at around 6000 to 7500 miles and it's has always been on full when I do change the oil.
__________________
2004 Limited V8
AuSeeker is online now   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 02-14-2019, 03:28 PM #10
That_Titanium_4RNR's Avatar
That_Titanium_4RNR That_Titanium_4RNR is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: NC
Posts: 759
Real Name: Michael
That_Titanium_4RNR is a glorious beacon of light That_Titanium_4RNR is a glorious beacon of light That_Titanium_4RNR is a glorious beacon of light That_Titanium_4RNR is a glorious beacon of light That_Titanium_4RNR is a glorious beacon of light
That_Titanium_4RNR That_Titanium_4RNR is offline
Member
That_Titanium_4RNR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: NC
Posts: 759
Real Name: Michael
That_Titanium_4RNR is a glorious beacon of light That_Titanium_4RNR is a glorious beacon of light That_Titanium_4RNR is a glorious beacon of light That_Titanium_4RNR is a glorious beacon of light That_Titanium_4RNR is a glorious beacon of light
Story Time

A few months into owning my prior vehicle which was a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado I decided I wanted to do the "right thing" when changing my oil by running synthetic. TERRIBLE MISTAKE....let me say it again....TERRIBLE MISTAKE. Never again will I run synthetic on a vehicle with over 170k if the previous owner was using conventional. I bought my truck at 199k and it was in incredible condition mind you...those who are familiar with these trucks know that they can have a myriad of issues. Mainly where I am these issues are things like rust in the rockers and cab corners, intake manifold leaks, and exhaust manifold leaks. Mine was perfect and was immaculate inside and out. Not a spec of rust, no oil leakage whatsoever, and the engine ran perfectly.

I changed that oil to synthetic and immediately I had massive oil leaks occurring. Everytime I started/drove the truck I would lose approx. 1/2-1 quarts of oil within a matter of minutes it seemed. I was losing oil from the rear main, oil pan, and valve covers. I then took it to my mechanic that day who went to work on it. 900 dollars later and my truck was spotless again. But I had learned my lesson. Let this be a warning to all who think synthetic is a good idea on an old vehicle that has only ever ran conventional...DONT DO IT. it is simply not worth the issues in my opinion just for that extra piece of mind that we get from using synthetic.
That_Titanium_4RNR is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 02-14-2019, 06:25 PM #11
utmba95 utmba95 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 79
utmba95 is on a distinguished road
utmba95 utmba95 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 79
utmba95 is on a distinguished road
I even looked at a bunch of "oil" sites with this:
Myth #3: Synthetic engine oils can wear down seals in an engine and cause leaks.

This is an often-cited myth. In fact, if your seals and gaskets are in good condition, synthetic oil will not leak in your engine. Synthetic oil has not been shown to deteriorate engine seals or gaskets. But it might find an existing leak. The smaller molecules of synthetic oil are able to pass through very small cracks and crevices that the larger molecules of petroleum-based oil cannot. Eventually, those small cracks and crevices can lead to bigger problems — with or without synthetic oil.
This is frankly BS. My engine had no leaks, so one could assume the seals and gaskets were in good condition.

I also have a coworker with an old GMC that's leaking a quart a month, and he didn't correlate it to the switch to "high mileage synthetic" until I told him my story.
utmba95 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-29-2019, 01:58 PM #12
utmba95 utmba95 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 79
utmba95 is on a distinguished road
utmba95 utmba95 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 79
utmba95 is on a distinguished road
Just following up... it took 5 months after switching back to conventional for all of the remaining synthetic to burn off, but now I have no leaks and no burned oil smell.
utmba95 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-29-2019, 04:07 PM #13
08TxRunner's Avatar
08TxRunner 08TxRunner is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Texas
Posts: 500
08TxRunner is a jewel in the rough 08TxRunner is a jewel in the rough 08TxRunner is a jewel in the rough
08TxRunner 08TxRunner is offline
Member
08TxRunner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Texas
Posts: 500
08TxRunner is a jewel in the rough 08TxRunner is a jewel in the rough 08TxRunner is a jewel in the rough
So what exactly is the theory behind synthetics causing leaks?
08TxRunner is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-29-2019, 04:09 PM #14
utmba95 utmba95 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 79
utmba95 is on a distinguished road
utmba95 utmba95 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 79
utmba95 is on a distinguished road
Various oil companies have this on their website.

Myth #3: Synthetic engine oils can wear down seals in an engine and cause leaks.

This is an often-cited myth. In fact, if your seals and gaskets are in good condition, synthetic oil will not leak in your engine. Synthetic oil has not been shown to deteriorate engine seals or gaskets. But it might find an existing leak. The smaller molecules of synthetic oil are able to pass through very small cracks and crevices that the larger molecules of petroleum-based oil cannot. Eventually, those small cracks and crevices can lead to bigger problems — with or without synthetic oil.
utmba95 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply

Tags
fluid , gasket , head , leaks , oil

Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Again with the Leaks! adkinsadam1 4th Gen T4Rs 11 03-09-2014 01:15 PM
Oil Leaks jaybirdy2k Classic T4Rs 14 04-27-2012 03:28 AM
Leaks all over rbdhd 3rd gen T4Rs 7 04-02-2012 10:14 PM
93 leaks kroo88 Classic T4Rs 4 04-21-2011 11:58 AM
oil leaks 4ballin 3rd gen T4Rs 1 02-02-2010 11:22 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:26 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
***This site is an unofficial Toyota site, and is not officially endorsed, supported, authorized by or affiliated with Toyota. All company, product, or service names references in this web site are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. The Toyota name, marks, designs and logos, as well as Toyota model names, are registered trademarks of Toyota Motor Corporation***Ad Management plugin by RedTyger
 
Copyright © 2020