Hi guys,

I've got the 94 4wd manual 4runner, and since I bought it, it's had a bit of a leak. Well over the last two months its dropped quite a bit of oil actually, enough that Ive had to fill it up twice. I think its coming from the rear main, but its a bit of a costly fix up to do. There is a possibility I'll only have the truck till the end of the year. Is it better to just put up with the leak and purchase a $5 thing of oil every couple of weeks? Or is there a good alternative that may help even the slightest? And are there any ramifications from leaking long-term from the rear main? Thanks in advance.

Probably not your problem, but make sure the filter is cranked on tight enough. Hand tight is fine IMO, but a strong hand tight.

I've been lucky in that the only time my '92 has leaked oil was a time I didn't quite have the filter cranked on tight enough. It was right after I bought my '98 and I was thinking of selling it....got me worried a bit. That and another time where I knocked the oil pressure sender off it's connection just a bit, so that the gauge said I had no pressure at all.

Could be your valve cover gaskets. I had a oil leak that turned out to be my valve cover gaskets. Check it out. It's a cheap fix if its that.

A leaking rear main seal means your clutch is getting oil soaked, which will shorten its life. After you shut the truck off, is there smoke coming from under the hood? Can you smell burned oil? Those are usually sings from a very bad valve cover.

Really need to identify the leak. Get some simple green and some rags and have at it. Clean everything. Then start it up and watch to see where the oil comes from.

Or you can get some cans of brake clean and put a oil pan under where your spraying. Lots faster easier and drys just about instantly

I would tend to bet that its probably the valve cover gaskets. The engine bay gets really hot especially towards the back because of the headers/crossover pipe. Just look in the back corner on the head and see if its covered in oil too. If so, that's probably the spot. Its a cheap fix but the passenger side is a pita because you have to take off the intake runners. Not hard but you'll get to know the vacuum lines quite well. If you're not going to keep it, its up to you if you want to fix it. Most oil leaks just make a mess but as long as you keep it topped off, you're usually fine. Rear main is obvious a much bigger PITA but I'd honestly not fix it if you're going to sell it in less than a year. If you ruin the clutch, then fix it when you're in there. Parts (seal, clutch) are cheap. Its the labor for that, that will eat you up.

BTW - cam seals are another area that will cause leaks but will come from the front area so you can check there. But another one, I probably wouldn't fix if she's not a keeper.