2TH4IST
Member
Ok, so it's wet up top and back of block. There are 2 areas on the 3.4 rear of the heads that can leak besides the vc gasket. One is the half moons (both heads have them on the back) they are a half circle that seals a machined part of the head, known to leak due to heat expansion and breakdown of the sealant (use silicon or toyota fipg). Two, there is a cam plug on the drivers side head at the rear, it is a metal plug (like a freeze plug) with a rubberized coating that can leak with age. Replace with new one with some silicon or fipg on the outside edge.
Both of those can leak down into the bell housing and cause it to leak only when parked downhill. It's a PITA to see back there but you can with a flashlight and a small mechanics mirror. Check there for the dye too. Unless the previous owner cracked a Valve cover doing gaskets. Or he did gaskets and forgot to replace the metal/rubber valve cover bolt washers.
But still doesn't explain the oil on the starter/alt white plastic cable cover. Could it be power steering fluid? I know the 4runners use atf, but some use a clear ps fluid.
Seems odd that everything is leaking. My 2000 3.4 245k miles and the front main seal was dry as a bone (still replaced it when I did the water pump). All other seals besides the oil pan and rear main seal are pretty easy.
I'd do 100 3.4 vc gaskets , cam seals, half moons, front main seals then do 1 v6 vw passatt vc gasket and cam tensioner any day lol.
Oh yes if you do decide to tackle the half moons be careful to not get old sealant into the oil return holes. Cover the area with rags or something.
Holy smokes I rambled on. Keep us updated. This may have not been asked, but it isn't your clutch slave cylinder that is leaking is it? Driver's side lower bell housing. Did a friends 4runner 3.4 manual clutch slave cylinder that finally kicked the bucket at 378k miles, fricken original clutch too!
Both of those can leak down into the bell housing and cause it to leak only when parked downhill. It's a PITA to see back there but you can with a flashlight and a small mechanics mirror. Check there for the dye too. Unless the previous owner cracked a Valve cover doing gaskets. Or he did gaskets and forgot to replace the metal/rubber valve cover bolt washers.
But still doesn't explain the oil on the starter/alt white plastic cable cover. Could it be power steering fluid? I know the 4runners use atf, but some use a clear ps fluid.
Seems odd that everything is leaking. My 2000 3.4 245k miles and the front main seal was dry as a bone (still replaced it when I did the water pump). All other seals besides the oil pan and rear main seal are pretty easy.
I'd do 100 3.4 vc gaskets , cam seals, half moons, front main seals then do 1 v6 vw passatt vc gasket and cam tensioner any day lol.
Oh yes if you do decide to tackle the half moons be careful to not get old sealant into the oil return holes. Cover the area with rags or something.
Holy smokes I rambled on. Keep us updated. This may have not been asked, but it isn't your clutch slave cylinder that is leaking is it? Driver's side lower bell housing. Did a friends 4runner 3.4 manual clutch slave cylinder that finally kicked the bucket at 378k miles, fricken original clutch too!
