Found my first oil leak this morning...

[jeredcollins]

I just bought my 4Runner a couple of months ago. It's a 2000 Limited 4x4 with only 105,000 miles. I noticed the other day when I parked it that I smelled some burnt oil and this morning I noticed some oil residue on the garage floor... fairly new since it happened dried yet. At 105,000 miles what do you think could be causing this?

 

[Link12]

Valve covers/ cam seals

 

[YouInTheShirt]

I just bought my 4Runner a couple of months ago. It's a 2000 Limited 4x4 with only 105,000 miles. I noticed the other day when I parked it that I smelled some burnt oil and this morning I noticed some oil residue on the garage floor... fairly new since it happened dried yet. At 105,000 miles what do you think could be causing this?

Pictures bro, Pictures...

Sounds like it could be valve cover gaskets though

 

[Jetcycles]

My valve covers leak, but they've never leaked enough to drip onto the floor. Pop the hood and take a look, pictures never hurt, and this forum rules when it comes to members helping members with their issues.

 

[jeredcollins]

My valve covers leak, but they've never leaked enough to drip onto the floor. Pop the hood and take a look, pictures never hurt, and this forum rules when it comes to members helping members with their issues.

Sorry I'm a newbie here. Will comply in the future. I'll try to get some pics this afternoon.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

I just bought my 4Runner a couple of months ago. It's a 2000 Limited 4x4 with only 105,000 miles. I noticed the other day when I parked it that I smelled some burnt oil and this morning I noticed some oil residue on the garage floor... fairly new since it happened dried yet. At 105,000 miles what do you think could be causing this?

Did you do an oil change recently?

Because of the placement of the oil filter on the V6, oil tends to drip into the front crossmember when being changed and combine that with having the oem skid plates, it's normal for oil to continue leaking many days or even weeks after you've done an oil change.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Wipe the engine down if you can, or at least as best as you can do and let us know if/when the leak comes back and from where.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

My valve covers leak, but they've never leaked enough to drip onto the floor.

Mine have. But once I degreased the engine block and got rid of a lot of the built-up gunk from the leaky covers, it hasn't dripped on the ground since.

I retorque the VCs at every oil change (which I only do once a year). They don't need much, just a little snugging and all is well.

 

[nchacon1984]

Just like most have said "pictures"

I degreased my engine the best I could. Seemed like PO just didn't care much for it since he got a new car. If I could go back and do it again, I would've walked away but after servicing it, the only leak I have now if just a power steering pump hose leak. best of luck and keep us updated on the outcome.

 

[4Runner4Leon]

Did you do an oil change recently?

Because of the placement of the oil filter on the V6, oil tends to drip into the front crossmember when being changed and combine that with having the oem skid plates, it's normal for oil to continue leaking many days or even weeks after you've done an oil change.

I think you're on to something - I just noticed a new oil leak at the bottom of my oil pan rail, which was not there earlier (and the valve cover gaskets, half moons, etc, were just replaced). Moreover, there is no sign of oil leaks above the oil pan. But I did just change my oil last week, and the filter change does tend to drip oil above the oil pan, which can then show up as a leak.

 

[amalik]

Did you do an oil change recently?

Because of the placement of the oil filter on the V6, oil tends to drip into the front crossmember when being changed and combine that with having the oem skid plates, it's normal for oil to continue leaking many days or even weeks after you've done an oil change.

God, this is the most annoying thing ever. I was under my rig doing sway-bar bushings the other week, that skid plate is like a horrendously greasy and gunk-filled nightmare. It only grazed my sweatshirt and it got it black with greasy/oily gunk and reminded me why I hate working on my 21 year old truck.

Now, my VCG/half-moon/etc are all leaky, so I thought this was normal for me. It sounds like you're saying it's still going to be the case *once* I fix those leaks because of oil changes? ahhhhhhh.

 

[jeredcollins]

Did you do an oil change recently?

Because of the placement of the oil filter on the V6, oil tends to drip into the front crossmember when being changed and combine that with having the oem skid plates, it's normal for oil to continue leaking many days or even weeks after you've done an oil change.

Yea, I did an oil change about 3 weeks ago

 

[liljoedafishho]

Just saying i cured my valve cover leaks by finger tightening the 10mm nuts on valve cover-they were so loose ! That was two years ago...worth a try. At 195k now

 

[jeredcollins]

Pics as promised.... looks like its leaking when facing the front of the engine in back left. I couldn't really get a good picture but hopefully the red arrows show you where it's leaking. I also looked underneath and it appears it's running down the oil pan on the same side of the valve cover where it is leaking. I'm thinking a lot of the leaking is around the half-moon area based on the area. I don't have puddles of oil but every morning there is usually 1-2 dime size spots of oil on the floor.

 

[octanejunkie]

I retorque the VCs at every oil change (which I only do once a year). They don't need much, just a little snugging and all is well.

Do you remove the upper and lower plenum to do this?

 

[octanejunkie]

Pics as promised.... looks like its leaking when facing the front of the engine in back left. I couldn't really get a good picture but hopefully the red arrows show you where it's leaking. I also looked underneath and it appears it's running down the oil pan on the same side of the valve cover where it is leaking. I'm thinking a lot of the leaking is around the half-moon area based on the area. I don't have puddles of oil but every morning there is usually 1-2 dime size spots of oil on the floor.

Put your hand back there when the engine is cold, if it's really wet, that is your culprit. Also your trans should be really oil if it's dripping on the floor. That is the rear cam seal and mine was the source of my leak. I remedied this when I did the valve cover gaskets a month ago, but mine never made it to the ground. Keep an eye on your oil level too.

 

[MStudt]

Pics as promised.... looks like its leaking when facing the front of the engine in back left. I couldn't really get a good picture but hopefully the red arrows show you where it's leaking. I also looked underneath and it appears it's running down the oil pan on the same side of the valve cover where it is leaking. I'm thinking a lot of the leaking is around the half-moon area based on the area. I don't have puddles of oil but every morning there is usually 1-2 dime size spots of oil on the floor.

This is how mine started, and then got worse. I thought is was the valve covers as well, but mine ended up being the cam seals. If it weren't for replacing the water pump, timing belt, and thermostat. I would have gone after the valve covers first, and then had to go back.

 

[PatrickStapler]

I guess I need to get busy cleaning my engine so I can determine where it is leaking.

Are those rear cam plates difficult to change?

 

[4Runner4Leon]

I guess I need to get busy cleaning my engine so I can determine where it is leaking.

Are those rear cam plates difficult to change?

If you are already doing the valve cover gaskets, the cam plugs and half-moons are very little extra work. Might as well do them if you're doing the valve cover gaskets (in my case, it was the half moons that were leaking more than the gaskets).

 

[PatrickStapler]

PO said he had the VC gaskets replaced a couple years ago, but there is still oil coming from somewhere. I also noticed when I did the plugs last fall there was oil in the tubes. Some worse than others.