Leak on 2012 @ 124K

J

Jtw13

New member
Hey, new here. I got the 4Runner last April and I didn't have this leak until recently, or at least it seems. I was hoping someone could help me and I know you can't diagnose over some picture but I've seen some really good info on here. Power steering? Timing cover? No noticeable symptoms while driving but recently it has started making an odd noise while coasting. If I had to explain it I'm not sure where to start, maybe a slight groan? It sounds like a fountain drink machine at a 711. I'm not using any oil at all and it doesn't appear that the power steering fluid is low either. It's on the left side and also in the front under the valve cover.

here is a link to a video I took of it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOiXzXLa8Sc&feature=youtu.be
 

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Can't really see where its at,you moved around a lot.
check to see if its coming out of the AC hoses, or AC compressor.
 
Rack said:
Can't really see where its at,you moved around a lot.
check to see if its coming out of the AC hoses, or AC compressor.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's definitely not the best video. It's right around where the dip stick tube runs on the left side. There's oil in the front too, under the valve cover.
 
Hard to tell due to the orientation etc, but it might be coming from your valve cover gasket and dripping down. I would start there.

Have an Avalon that I just replaced the camshaft seals, timing belt etc. It had oil all over the bottom of the engine and power steering hoses caked in oil and dirt. Turned out to be coming from higher up on the engine.
 
To OP: as everyone else replied, it is hard to say based on video and pictures you have… also you said that it is “on the left side around where the dipstick tube runs”… but the dipstick is on the right side of the engine… so is it on the right side?... if yes, than it could be valve cover (if you lucky) if not valve cover then it could be timing cover…
First thing I would do is to clean all old oil and see where it is coming from.
 
progress4m said:
To OP: as everyone else replied, it is hard to say based on video and pictures you have… also you said that it is “on the left side around where the dipstick tube runs”… but the dipstick is on the right side of the engine… so is it on the right side?... if yes, than it could be valve cover (if you lucky) if not valve cover then it could be timing cover…
First thing I would do is to clean all old oil and see where it is coming from.
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I'll do that and yes it's on the passenger side. I was speaking like I was standing in front of it. Sorry, it's got me flustered.
 
Jtw13 said:
I'll do that and yes it's on the passenger side. I was speaking like I was standing in front of it. Sorry, it's got me flustered.
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I understand, no worries. Try to clean it as best as you can so you can see fresh signs of the leak. Hopefully it is valve cover, if not, then there is a chance it is timing cover… repair is expensive and a lot of work. Those 4.0L engines have one weak spot: timing cover leak on the right (passenger) side, it is rare, but it can happened… sorry for possible bad news.
 
progress4m said:
I understand, no worries. Try to clean it as best as you can so you can see fresh signs of the leak. Hopefully it is valve cover, if not, then there is a chance it is timing cover… repair is expensive and a lot of work. Those 4.0L engines have one weak spot: timing cover leak on the right (passenger) side, it is rare, but it can happened… sorry for possible bad news.
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Yeah, I did a little reading up on the timing cover. It is rare like you said so that does give me hope. It might be the valve cover but it doesn't seem like it at all. I sprayed the heck out of it with break clean today so I'll keep checking. I did a little more looking, there's actually a decent amount of oil residue on the front side.
 
Jtw13 said:
Yeah, I did a little reading up on the timing cover. It is rare like you said so that does give me hope. It might be the valve cover but it doesn't seem like it at all. I sprayed the heck out of it with break clean today so I'll keep checking. I did a little more looking, there's actually a decent amount of oil residue on the front side.
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I do not have first-hand knowledge of timing cover leaks on 4.0 V6, but from what I know that leak starts at the place where block, head and timing cover meet (on the right side of engine), so I would try clean that area very well, make it “dry” with brake cleaner and then watch it, keep us posted and good luck!!!
 
It's a leak if it's dripping, what you have is "seepage". Keep an eye on your PS and oil level but I wouldnt worry too much. Could be valve cover, PS pump, timing chain inspection gasket, timing chain cover, or I think thete is an oil pressure sensor around there that can leak too.
 
repo said:
It's a leak if it's dripping, what you have is "seepage". Keep an eye on your PS and oil level but I wouldnt worry too much. Could be valve cover, PS pump, timing chain inspection gasket, timing chain cover, or I think thete is an oil pressure sensor around there that can leak too.
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For sure, thanks. I sprayed an entire can of brake clean on it and now I will continue to check it. I'm starting to think it's my ps pump.
 
My money is on the oil sensor. 50 bucks for the part. DIY instead of dealer charge of 300. Happened 2011 Limited w 160k


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