Help please**Oil Leak diagnosis- take a guess!

[Soulman]

Hi, I am looking at a 3rd Gen for my daughter. I have mediocre mechanic "skills", mostly due to forums like this and youtube. This is a 98, Limited, with rear locker and 225K miles. It is 300 miles away from me (I live in Fargo ND and 4Rs are scarce around here, especially on my budget). This one has spent it's life in WA state and western ND so looks much better than most around here as far as rust is concerned. BUT, it has an oil leak. I would like to hear opinions as to what is leaking and how hard/expensive it is to fix. I know the pic is terrible too but any informed guess is welcome Thanks in advance!
Dan

Pic is apparently from the rear driver side looking forward.

 

[theesotericone]

I'm gonna guess what everyone else is going to guess. Valve cover gaskets. These motors are very well known for that specific leak.

 

[aontkos]

It's difficult to say from the picture, but I wouldn't be too concerned about a leak like that. You'll be able to tell just by reaching around the back of the valve covers to see if oil is seeping out.

That looks like it is probably just leaking valve cover gaskets, which is a common maintenance item on the 5z. There are a ton of threads about that repair, and heck, here's a great step-by-step video. It's a fairly easy repair but it takes a little time. Use it as an opportunity to get to know the engine and see the condition of the top of the engine from the inside.

 

[phattyduck]

Valve cover gaskets, bad oil changes (oil filter drops oil on skid plate), PS fluid leaks on the rack. Any or all of those...

-Charlie

 

[Soulman]

Awesome- thanks very much for the replies! I checked out the vid that was linked and it looks great! Any idea (ball park) how much parts are for this job?

 

[Gulah]

Awesome- thanks very much for the replies! I checked out the vid that was linked and it looks great! Any idea (ball park) how much parts are for this job?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-GENUINE-TOYOTA-VALVE-COVER-GASKETS-11213-62020-SPARK-PLUG-TUBE-SEALS/231904975805?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 or a cheaper aftermarket kit (I can't comment on their quality).


You'll need some toyota black FIPG and degreaser too. Add a PCV valve and grommet if you like. Hopefully someone else chimes in if I'm forgetting anything, it's been a while.

 

[Gulah]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-GENUINE-TOYOTA-VALVE-COVER-GASKETS-11213-62020-SPARK-PLUG-TUBE-SEALS/231904975805?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 or a cheaper aftermarket kit (I can't comment on their quality).


You'll need some toyota black FIPG and degreaser too. Add a PCV valve and grommet if you like. Hopefully someone else chimes in if I'm forgetting anything, it's been a while.

Oh yeah, probably 16 x grommets that go under the valve cover bolts, I'm guessing 1-2$ each. They appear to be included in the cheaper aftermarket kits.

 

[01thunder]

rear main seal.

 

[Unner]

It's most likely valve cover gaskets as they're a very common leak. Best case it's sloppy oil changes and nothing is leaking.

I'd plan a few hundred dollars in DIY maintenance with any car this old after purchase, valve cover gaskets, spark plugs and wires, all fluids, air filter, brakes (if needed), shocks/springs, sway bar bushings, steering rack bushings and other fairly simple things.
[MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] and [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] have made videos on YouTube that show you how to do almost any sort of maintenance on a 3rd gen.

 

[thegipper]

rear main seal.

Could be a rear main but they rarely leak on these rigs. It's most likely your valve cover gasket or the cam plugs/half moons.

Mine's been leaking for a couple years now, I've just been too lazy to fix it. In 3k miles, I don't need to add any oil. It just leaks enough to look like the OP's picture, maybe not quite as bad as that.

 

[kolelt]

Could be a rear main but they rarely leak on these rigs. It's most likely your valve cover gasket or the cam plugs/half moons.

Mine's been leaking for a couple years now, I've just been too lazy to fix it. In 3k miles, I don't need to add any oil. It just leaks enough to look like the OP's picture, maybe not quite as bad as that.

They do leak from rear main seal. Op has some miles on. Especially if he changed the oil to synthetic.

 

[infamousRNR]

I wish our video would have shown how leaky mine were exactly.. but those lines on my steering rack were completely drenched...

I don't think it's sloppy oil changes... my vote is the valve cover gaskets..

So the next picture you should post is inside your engine bay where the edges of the plenums are....

Give us a picture of both sides on your engine

 

[aontkos]

They do leak from rear main seal.

Sure they do, but it's not as common as a leak from the valve cover.

Driveline vibrations can be caused by the transmission, but wouldn't you rather make sure it's not the prop shaft first?

 

[BamaDrewski]

I had the exact same leaking on my rig. I was paranoid it was going to be something major. Fortunately, I have good news for you.

I took about 5 days and did the following on my rig (all OE parts):

1. Removed valve covers.
2. Replaced the valve cover gaskets and spark plug tube gaskets.
3. Removed the half moons, cleaned where they went, cleaned them and replaced with copper RTV.
4. Installed new valve cover screw gaskets.
5. Replaced the PVC gasket
6. Removed the rear "cam covers" (look like a hockey puck hollowed out) and cleaned where they went, cleaned the covers and used copper RTV and replaced them.
7. Replaced the cam shaft oil seals (while doing my timing belt).
8. Replaced the drive shaft oil seal (also while doing my timing belt)
9. Replaced pulleys, tensioner, water pump (and gasket) thermostat, timing belt and drive belts.
10. Replaced oil cooler gasket and oil cooler hoses.

Before I did all this work, I sprayed down the underneath of the vehicle with SuperClean (automotive section at WalMart) and then pressure washed the steering rack and any oil (or oil residue) I could spot. I did this to make it easier to see if there were any leaks while turning wrenches on the truck. After the work, I did the same thing - degreased and sprayed down.

Again, the bottom of my truck looked EXACTLY LIKE YOUR PHOTO. Now, after all the work and taking my time to do it, it is as dry and as clean as a whistle!

 

[Ehahn84]

Valve cover gaskets OR rear main seal

 

[Soulman]

Thanks for all the replies guys! The rig is a potential purchase and 300 miles from me- so not so easy to get pics. It is from WA state and very rust "free" for around here. 225K on the clock and pretty good shape minus a few replaceable parts (bumperette on one side, part of fender flare). It's at a stealership and they say the lowest they'll go is $3500. What do you guys think of that?

98 with rr locker- needs tires and i assume T belt, valve cover gaskets, etc..

 

[thecole1098]

I'd say that's a steal, anything that is worng with it can be fixed with some
TLC. Go for it!

 

[calnhob]

That seems like a pretty good price to me.

225k is high but not outrageous and lockers is a nice bonus.

I paid more for similar mileage with no lockers a few months ago but that's in the inflated bay area.

 

[theesotericone]

$3500 is a pretty good price for that mileage. If it was me I'd walk in with $3000 cash in my pocket. If the test drive went well and I knew I wanted the truck I'd ask to talk to the sales manager. I'd drop that 3 grand on his desk and see what his reaction was. It's hard to say no to cash, even at a dealership. I'm betting he'd take it.

 

[Unner]

Does it really need new tires? They look like they've got a good bit of tread left in that picture you posted earlier.

$3500 isn't bad. I'd try $3000 cash like [MENTION=143526]theesotericone[/MENTION] one said, and if not $3500 isn't bad either. 225k is a lot of miles, but it's not bad for a 4Runner. Mine has 235k and I've driven it to Utah, Colorado, and Canada this year. Treat it good and it'll treat you good.