Leaks all over

[rbdhd]

Oil leaks all over

Hey guys,

I got a get some thoughts on my problem and see what others think is a good way to deal with this.

First my 4Runner is a 1999 with 150,000+ miles on it. As everything goes it's a good runner and in good shape except what is leaking.

Ok, I was told/ and shown were I have oil leaks from the oil pan, rear seal and I think he said it was the cam seals front and maybe rear as well.

We discussed this and since the leaks are not that bad that I could keep it go and just be sure I keep oil levels correct and change oil as need. I would do the front cam seal when I need a water pump and the others I would deal with as I needed if needed.

So far does this sound like an ok way to go for a truck I use to just get around? I don't do any 4wheelin' but some traveling. Nothing over 300 miles in one trip or one way.

Now, today I was checking my oil since its part of my life and noticed it smelled like gas. My friend said it gas in oil isn't unheard of but too much can be a problem. Since I only drive the truck 15-20 a day 5 day a week he said it may not be a problem. I'm thinking since the oil level isn't going down from the leaks that the oil is being replaced by the gas.

So my options are run it as is and maybe fix leaks later, fix all leaks now, replace the entire motor, or move on to a new vehicle. I'm not sure I'm ready to give up on my 4Runner as I really like it and other then all the leaks it's a good truck.

I would really like to hear from you guys what option is the best at this time.
Thanks for your guidance.
Dave

 

[HCurphy]

I bet all your leaks are just blowback from cam/valve covers. Sure, fix it one day. Untill then no worries and drive it till it won't anymore. (and of course check your level frequently)

 

[rbdhd]

Thanks for the reply but wat about the gas in the oil and the rear seal? I do know the rear seal and oil pan leak because I've cleaned the whole compartment and can see where it's leaking from.

I like what you say - it makes me happy to keep it.

Dave

 

[Atreyus]

Mines leaking in those places as well, I'm going to do the Valve covers first and rear main seal afterwards. I'm still trying to figure out if the oil pan gasket is an actual gasket or a like sealant tube mix gasket thing.

 

[IanB]

Thanks for the reply but wat about the gas in the oil and the rear seal? I do know the rear seal and oil pan leak because I've cleaned the whole compartment and can see where it's leaking from.

I like what you say - it makes me happy to keep it.

Dave

Gas makes a crappy lubricant, so if it's leaking into your oil you want to identify why/where, and fix that 1st IMO. Oil leaks are an annoyance, but a gas leak into your oil can ruin bearings.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I think the rear main seal leaks are pretty common. Most of the time they're just an annoyance. Mine was diagnosed with this a couple of years ago. It's never much more than a few drops at a time. Not worth $500+ to fix a minor leak like this IMO, just keep an eye on the oil level. :shrug:

 

[rbdhd]

Now what to do

Since I now have gas getting into the oil at a rate I'm not having to add oil to replace what is leaking and when I checked this morning the level was well over the fill line. The big question for me now is; do I fix the engine, replace the engine, or sale off the truck and cut my loss now.
Saying that I would really like to keep it for another 150K and drive it into the ground but maybe it is driven into the ground only at 150K, much less then I thought I would get out of it.
Any mechanics in the Northern Virginia area that can do the repairs cheaper then the dealer here? I have a guy I've been going to but he starting to get his price up there too. - Ya gotta ask!

Dave

 

[wardriver]

Have you pulled your spark plugs to see what they look like?

So from what I know gas can get into the oil 2 ways. 1 incomplete combustion and 2 blow by. For #1 I'd run a can of Sea Foam through the engine (not through the gas) to kill the carbon build up. Run for a day then change the plugs and change the oil. Recheck to see if it smells like gas. Perhaps put a little marverys mystery oil in there to help un-stick a stuck piston ring for good measure.

If that does not work I'd do a pressure check to see if I've got a bad cylinder. Obviously if you have this handy this can be done first. You might be able to get one as a loaner tool

As for the leaks - make sure your valve covers and oil pan bolts are at torque spec's. (check the factory service manual (FSM) found on here). Over miles they loosen up and leak. I like Lucas oil additive. If I spring a leak I will generally add a quart and it will sometimes slow down. (not to be used at the same time as M.M. oil)

I swapped my rear main this past weekend while I had my transmission out. It would be a cold day in a hot place for me to pull the tranny just to swap that seal unless I could see oil pouring on the ground out of the back of the engine. The swap itself was a piece of cake after the tranny was out. But again not something I want to do anytime soon.

WD