MDTrailrider
New member
I have a 98 SR5 4Runner with 256,000 miles. I bought it new and have tried to take care of it. I change the oil every 3,000 miles. Several years ago I noticed that the valve covers were beginning to leak. The oil didn't drip on the garage floor. The leaks were slow enough that the oil would burn off before reaching the point where it could drip. I only occasionally caught a whiff of burning oil smell.
Three years ago the problem progressed to the point that the truck smelled too much of burning oil whenever I stopped. I took it to a Toyota dealer and they wanted $1,400 to replace the valve cover seals and transmission seals. They said it was leaking there also. I passed. I tried the Castrol High Mileage Engine oil and it seemed to "condition the seals" somewhat and possibly reduce the problem but it didn't go away.
A couple of years ago I tried adding the STP Oil Additive for High Mileage Vehicles. It nailed it. My 4Runner immediately stopped leaking oil. It worked so well that I only use the STP additive every other oil change and just use regular oil the alternate changes.
I recommend it if you have small oil leaks at seals too. My only concern is how the stuff actually works and if it is causing deposits to accumulate inside my engine. Does it really condition the seals or does it plug the gaps with deposits? I don't know for sure if there aren't any negative side affects to using the STP additive too often. The instructions say to use it at each oil change and as needed between oil changes.
Three years ago the problem progressed to the point that the truck smelled too much of burning oil whenever I stopped. I took it to a Toyota dealer and they wanted $1,400 to replace the valve cover seals and transmission seals. They said it was leaking there also. I passed. I tried the Castrol High Mileage Engine oil and it seemed to "condition the seals" somewhat and possibly reduce the problem but it didn't go away.
A couple of years ago I tried adding the STP Oil Additive for High Mileage Vehicles. It nailed it. My 4Runner immediately stopped leaking oil. It worked so well that I only use the STP additive every other oil change and just use regular oil the alternate changes.
I recommend it if you have small oil leaks at seals too. My only concern is how the stuff actually works and if it is causing deposits to accumulate inside my engine. Does it really condition the seals or does it plug the gaps with deposits? I don't know for sure if there aren't any negative side affects to using the STP additive too often. The instructions say to use it at each oil change and as needed between oil changes.
