Help identifying oil leak - Toyota 4Runner Forum

attean77 · 12-28-2023, 08:38 PM

Looking for help identifying this oil leak on a 2015 4runner with 170K miles that I'm looking at buying. I'm a 4th gen guy so not too familiar with the 5th gens yet. First thought it was a rear main seal, but the transmission pan is a mess. Is this where the oil settles when leaking from the rear main? Or am I looking at transmission fluid drips on the bottom of the transmission pan with a leaking pan gasket? Or both?????? Or if anyone knows this vehicle, it's being sold in southern NH after being traded into a local Benz dealer and auctioned off. Thanks!

flyrv9 · 12-29-2023, 03:35 AM

Over the last 10 years or so, the oil leak areas reported the most were the timing chain cover and rear main seal. Obviously the real main seal repair requires the transmission be pulled; so if you're still under warranty I'd take it in soon. If not, you could monitor oil levels and fill up when necessary.

engeeoh01 · 12-29-2023, 09:39 AM

I would clean the areas as best you can and place some UV dye into the engine oil. Scan the areas with a black light after 100 miles or so and see where the dye reacts to the light. That should help you pinpoint your areas of leakage.

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Rocko9999 · 12-29-2023, 03:39 PM

Looks like a heavy rear main seal. Not a cheap fix. Does that have service records?

CutthroatSlam · 12-30-2023, 10:54 AM

The oil blows back in a plume from the leak. Find the furthest forward point of the oil plume and that is your leak source. Looks like rear main seal to me. I'd pass on this one.

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