04 Runner, 144kmi, heavy leaking when parked

[peteguam]

Hello all!
I recently started seeing a lot of oil in driveway. Topped off oil level and observed new oil in the puddle immediately. Took it to mechanics and they said it was valve cover gasket. So i had them replace that and plugs, etc.

After the replacement the Runner was still leaking parked at the mechanics.

The mechanics said when it was on the lift it didnt leak at all. Observed this myself. They suggested the leak was coming from the 14 and 17mm bolt-on area where the transmission is secured to. As i had the transmission rebuilt last year they think it was over-torqued and cracked the aluminum engine block.

I then brought it over to the shop that did the Transmission, they looked it over and said it was not transmission fluid, just oil. They were stumped with the first look over but it wasnt lifted up. The're going to call me back for schedule.

what could it be? It seems the leak is above the oil pan.

 

[Seymore Butts]

The last place to get this leak traced correctly is on the internet.

Clean everything up and then inspect for fresh leaks after a short drive. There's no other way to accurately diagnose your problem. Either you can do it, or your mechanics can. However, your mechanics don't sound like a great resource, so I'd do it myself because those guys don't know what they're doing.

 

[MikeinNH67]

Well, if the mechanic is correct and the tranny guys cracked the engine block then it would be motor oil leaking not tranny fluid. Never heard of anyone doing this and if it is the case I would think it would be that the bolt used was too long not just over torqued. All speculation of course.