95 t4r oil leak above water pump. Please help

[Realtor1]

Hi all I have just purchased a really clean 4 runner but it has a pretty significant oil leak above the water pump it seem like there is a vent above the water pump and that is where the oil is coming from, it only leaks when driving not when it's sitting idling or just sitting overnight it like their is to much pressure in the motor pushing the oil out of this vent any ideas would be greatly appreciated thanks it is a 22r

 

[dorton]

You sure its got all the bolts in the timing cover?

 

[KidVermicious]

A vent? I'm thinking half moon gasket under the valve cover. Could also be missing timing cover or water pump bolts. Can you clean it up and take some pics?

 

[Realtor1]

22re leaking oil above water pump

I had the whole front apart yesterday, I even took the water pump off, I don't know why? but the leak is coming from a hollow area above the water pump, it is dry around the rubber half moon seal this void is like under where the distributer gear would be, it seems like it my be another crank case vent, or maybe I am crazy, the guy I bought it from said it was coming out as vapor then leaking down but that is not happening it is oil fresh out of the valve cover head area, does not leak a drop anywhere when it sits over night but if you drive it it leaks pretty bad when the engine stops the leak stops I don't think it leaks at idle either only when you drive it. wtf no clue please help, it is definitely above all cover bolts

 

[KidVermicious]

Timing cover -



The upper edge of the timing cover slides underneath the cylinder head - if it's not the valve cover or half-moon seal leaking, it's going to be the very front of the cylinder head gasket or the distributor o-ring?

 

[Realtor1]

leaking front side of head gasket

so if it is dry around the base of the distributor then I need to replace the head gasket I think its the head gasket I have the leak narrowed down to the top edge of the timing cover. is the head gasket a major job, or is just a matter of pulling the head and replacing the gasket? will I need any special tools?

 

[Realtor1]

rattling sound in motor at high rpm

I forgot to ask also about a rattling noise in the motor at high rpm is this valves, timing chain, I checked the chain yesterday and the tensioners are in good shape did not know how to check the tension on the chain but it looked ok. since I am pulling the head what else should I be checking or replacing.

 

[Realtor1]

Re: timing cover leak

I just realized I don't think I need to pull the head I can just pull timing cover and reveal it. Because the head gasket stops short of the timing cover, so to fix my oil leak at the top edge of the timing cover I should be able to do this all from the timing cover correct? :banana: then what about the rattle I hear at high rpm . It's most noticible when I shift gears but if I take it up and hold high rpm when driving you can hear it it is loud rattling or fast knocking more like a loug rattling :uzi: please give me any ideas how you would proceed. Thank you

 

[KidVermicious]

If it's leaking between the cylinder head and the timing chain cover, then you should be able to pull the cover and reseal it with black RTV without removing the head. You'll want a copy of the Factory Service Manual, do you have one yet?

Here's a 22RE head gasket:

The oblong cutout on the far right goes to the front of the motor - that's where your timing chain sits and where oil returns to the oil pan. It's not under the same pressures as the cylinder walls, so RTV or Permatex Right Stuff should hold it. Here's the kicker - it is still technically part of the head gasket, and if that portion has deteriorated enough to cause a leak between the head and the timing cover, the rest of the gasket might not be far behind? Or maybe you'll get lucky and it's just the head bolt that sits under the cam gear is loose?

I don't know about your rattle - every time I've heard timing chain noise, it's been at idle or low RPM and sounds for all the world like a diesel motor. I'm not a mechanic, but if I was getting a fast tap or knock at high RPM, I'd be more inclined to look at crank bearings? If you're going to reseal the timing chain cover without pulling the head, you'll want to drop the oil pan anyway, so check the main and rod bearings for spec while you've got it torn apart. The other thing it could be that's easy to check for is valve tap - 22RE valves are tricky to get right, at least for me, but if you've got a rattle/knock that loud, it ought to be obvious when you check the clearances. The thing it could be that I don't know an easy way to check for is piston slap or loose wrists between the piston heads and rods. Leave that for last .

OR - just tear the whole thing down. Pull the head, pull the pan, do the timing stuff, everything. Between this leak and your mystery knock, I think that motor's been rode hard and put away wet. Might be time for a rebuild, or at least a complete check-up top to bottom. How's your compression?

Anyway, just some ideas. I meant it when I said I'm not a mechanic so I could just be borrowing trouble for you, but at this point I dunno that I'd trust your motor.

 

[Realtor1]

Leak from gear

You were right it was. Leaking from a not so tight head bolt under the cam gear, of coarse I did not realize this until I had it all torn apart and that was the last bolt I turned, so that doesnt leak now, but now I am leaking from the front seal, should have replaced it, soon getting ready to do that any quick tips on making the job easier? Do I have to pull the radiator or just the shroud, is it hard to remove the front seal do I need a special tool?

 

[KidVermicious]

You probably nicked the front main. Check your main crank pulley before you replace it, and if it's got any groove in it at all, use the smaller (7mm?) main seal, it rides in a different spot on the crank pulley. You can pull it with a screwdriver or a seal puller.

It's much easier if you pull the radiator.