3.0 oil leak

[greeen-4-runner]

Has any one else with a 3.0 ever had the "valley" fill with oil? when we first got our 91 it would leave small little puddels. when we tore the top end down to fix blown head gaskets, we found the "leak" was actully oil that had filled the "valley" and was running down the back of the engine! we want make sure we fix this problem, but have no clear idea of where the oil is from.

 

[Coastiekid]

My '93 did the same thing, but i didn't have it all taken apart. turns out my leak was caused by an old valve cover gasket. once i got that replaced, leak stopped.

 

[Hyde802]

leak was caused by an old valve cover gasket

My first thought too. Known problems on these engines.

 

[4runner_kid]

The valve cover gasket's on the 3VZE's suck.

 

[greeen-4-runner]

why is that 4 runner kid

 

[4runner_kid]

why is that 4 runner kid

They alway's leak. It's a common issue with these motor's.