1st time 4runner owner!

[Southtwnr]

24 hours of ownership and I have a question. I just parked my new purchase a beautiful 99 4runner in my drive way and come out the next day to a small puddle of oil! Disappointed but not freaked I look underneath.

The leak is gathering and dripping from where the engine an transmission are attached. I am thinking it may be coming from the rear of the oil pan but I can see the rear bolts/back side of oil pan because of a black piece of metal bolted to the tranny. I realize my nomenclature is nonexistent but do you know what I am talking about?

Can I remove that to view and possibly replace oil pan gasket? Seems like I would need to to remove the bolts but don't want to get carried away too early but have to get that leak fixed!!

 

[afg10000]

That's rear main seal area. I'd getting everything cleaned off and or add dye to the oil to find exactly what's going on. Hopefully it's something of a lesser degree. Valve cover gaskets leaking is also common -

 

[Southtwnr]

What is the best way to tell the origin? I can't really see any farther up to the origin. I have wiped everything down and will check tomorrow but it does seem to be gathering at the mating surface of tranny and engine.

Where can I buy that dye? Sorry I am not new to cars but new to Toyotas.

 

[poleclimber63]

Welcome!

Hard to say for sure but.... from what you've said, I would guess valve cover/half moons or rear main seal.

Valve covers= cheap and a few hours and a few beers..
rear main seal=$$$$$$ tranny/ engine separation.... sorry to say.

 

[awpsome]

Could be a few things going on.. valve covers, half moons, oil pan, rear main, oil was recently changed and filter not on tight, filter on tight and its the residual that dripped and wasnt cleaned up.

clean all the oil as best as you can and monitor consistently to find its origin.

best of luck

 

[Jasonredwood]

I had a similar situation with my 4runner when I bought it.
Thought maybe it was the rack and pinion. It wasn't. Had my mechanic check it out. Tightened the valve covers. That wasn't it. Turned out it was the front main seal. My mechanic searched all over the engine to find the leak that was most noticeable on the rear of the engine. He seemed to think that it was the last mechanic that changed out the water pump and timing belt. They must have used a air chisel where they shouldn't have. Just my experience.

 

[Southtwnr]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I have been doing some looking around the site and IF it is the rear seal it probably isnt worth getting it fixed as the truck runs great.

If I go the route of dropping the tranny is there some other maintenance I could/should perform while its out? I am a long way away from pulling the trigger on that but just asking. Maybe i could justify it to myself more if there was something else that could be improved at the same time.

 

[jgue467]

Start with

the Easiest thing it could be, the VCs. They are prone to loosening them selves. Mine were so loose i could turn them by hand! 10mm socket, various extensions, wobble connection helps too, only tighten (don't over due this-u can break the vc: 53in/lbs[4.4ft lbs] i believe) the lower ones (can't get to the uppers w/out removing other parts), those are the leakers due to gravity. Then clean and wait, may take quite awhile (months) for the remaining oil to finish making its way down. Luck! :thumb:

 

[poleclimber63]

a few things to try..

clean all the oil off the back of the heads and underside of engine.

Remove the access plate between the bell housing and the engine. Have a look for a collection of oil. Slide a clean cloth up behind the flex plate and engine block/housing. Pull it out and if its wet with oil, its your rear main seal. If its not leaking too bad, you could drop a piece of plywood on the driveway! Keep an eye on the oil level! not a great solution...

As has been mentioned above, if the front main seal is leaking, you really have to deal with it, as it will foul the timing belt and soak the front of the engine which involves sensors and wiring TB tensioner etc.--- TB/WP change with a new seal isnt that bad a job...

by the way, VC's $35 for gaskets and an easy afternoon..... give the covers a good clean, I also buffed the covers--- I must have achieved at least 5HP extra in elbow grease!
good luck!