My 4runner is spotting

[lewisb01]

Well I just got my 97 4runner 4x4 last week and its been fine but I noticed a slight oil burning smell and today I noticed some spots on the ground so a few minutes ago I looked and found a brownish watery substance dripping slowy off the plastic panel.

I assume its oil. So anyone know what kind of leak or issue im having?

 

[theizzardking]

Well I just got this last week and its been fine but I noticed a slight oil burning smell and today I noticed some spots on the ground so a few minutes ago I looked and found a brownish watery substance dripping slowy off the plastic panel.

I assume its oil. So anyone know what kind of leak or issue im having?

sorry i just thought you 4runner was on a period and needed a tampon,

ok with that out of the way, you need to be more descriptive, what plastic where? how much/ how big are the spots, sounds like it could be normal leaking from the drain plug, giving it a tug with a wrench may do the trick, if this is the case you might want to pull the plug and chek the threads before turning by wrench if it's cross threaded and you spin it more you'll be up a creek without a paddle. heli coils in a engine are not cool nor fun.....

 

[lewisb01]

sorry i just thought you 4runner was on a period and needed a tampon,

ok with that out of the way, you need to be more descriptive, what plastic where? how much/ how big are the spots, sounds like it could be normal leaking from the drain plug, giving it a tug with a wrench may do the trick, if this is the case you might want to pull the plug and chek the threads before turning by wrench if it's cross threaded and you spin it more you'll be up a creek without a paddle. heli coils in a engine are not cool nor fun.....

the plastic im talking about is the big plastic panel under the truck I guess you could call it a protector of some sort the leak is coming more from the left side of the housing (passenger side) i say the spots are anywhere from the size of a quarter to the size of a softball.

 

[theizzardking]

the plastic im talking about is the big plastic panel under the truck I guess you could call it a protector of some sort the leak is coming more from the left side of the housing (passenger side) i say the spots are anywhere from the size of a quarter to the size of a softball.

wow the soft ball sized ones is defiantly something to think about, it could still be the drain plug depending on how your truck is sloped, that said i'm thinking more of a valve cover gasket now just because of the size of the spots, can you not see anything on either side of the block with a mech's mirror?

 

[lewisb01]

wow the soft ball sized ones is defiantly something to think about, it could still be the drain plug depending on how your truck is sloped, that said i'm thinking more of a valve cover gasket now just because of the size of the spots, can you not see anything on either side of the block with a mech's mirror?

I should also mention that when looking inside of the engine there is no caked on oil on top of the engine it appears to be some caked on oil on the left side below all of the belts

im not parked on a slope its pretty damn level

 

[rdgt4r]

What does it smell like?

 

[004Gunner]

I should also mention that when looking inside of the engine there is no caked on oil on top of the engine it appears to be some caked on oil on the left side below all of the belts

im not parked on a slope its pretty damn level

Left side while standing in front and facing the vehicle? Driver side/Left side or Passenger side/Right side are better terms to use. I would start inspecting everything with a nice, bright flashlight. Removing the skid plates and inspecting from underneath might be helpful for locating the drip trail too.

 

[t4r4life]

it sounds like the valve cover bolts are little loose or the gasket went if thats the case then i wish u good luck because u r gonna need it took me about 12 hours to change the valve cover gaskets. you have to take off the top and middle intake manifolds and its really hard to get to all the bolts. but if you have someone to help you then it should be easier. if you do it at some repair shops its gonna run you about 300-500$

 

[t4r4life]

also check the oil drain plug rubber gasket that could be the problem, if thats the case u just have to drain the oil, replace gasket and add oil, easy job

 

[lewisb01]

Left side while standing in front and facing the vehicle? Driver side/Left side or Passenger side/Right side are better terms to use. I would start inspecting everything with a nice, bright flashlight. Removing the skid plates and inspecting from underneath might be helpful for locating the drip trail too.

Passenger side

 

[rdgt4r]

Just uhhh SeaFoam it. =)

<a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e155/quik88/?action=view&current=9144d1260678377-mpg-seafoam.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e155/quik88/9144d1260678377-mpg-seafoam.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[RyanKay]

Just uhhh SeaFoam it. =)

<a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e155/quik88/?action=view&current=9144d1260678377-mpg-seafoam.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e155/quik88/9144d1260678377-mpg-seafoam.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

uh seafoam eh, make sure if you go this route to do it when no one is watching (especially if those nosy neighbors that will creek their curtains and watch and then call the cops for making a cloud of smoke).

OP I think it might be time to change the valve cover gasket, I have oil caked on around the driver side valve cover.

 

[BTO]

So seafoam is now fixing oil leaks too? I heard it will rebuild your transmission if you put in two cans

 

[rdgt4r]

So seafoam is now fixing oil leaks too? I heard it will rebuild your transmission if you put in two cans

Plus seafoam is good on the muffler bearings.

Haha good! Im glad someone has a sense of humor here. lol.

Yeah unless you can get some pictures up of the area, I would think replacing the valve cover gaskets is your best bet. Its an easy fix too.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

sorry i just thought you 4runner was on a period and needed a tampon,

LOL I thought the same thing! I made a joke when my 4Runner was leaking and bought it some of these.

 

[t4r4life]

Plus seafoam is good on the muffler bearings.

Haha good! Im glad someone has a sense of humor here. lol.

Yeah unless you can get some pictures up of the area, I would think replacing the valve cover gaskets is your best bet. Its an easy fix too.

it is not that easy you have to take off the intake mainfolds unlike other toyota engines and its impossible to get a torque rench in there

 

[lewisb01]

I will try and get some pictures of the area not sure if I will be able to get good pics with it getting dark early, but I will do my best!

Oh and I wish a box of tampons would fix the issue thats a cheap fix!!!

 

[rdgt4r]

it is not that easy you have to take off the intake mainfolds unlike other toyota engines and its impossible to get a torque rench in there

Say what, I disagree thoroughly its very fixable DIY. okay it was kind of easy minus the driver side intake manifold area other than that it was medium difficulty............ at best.