Oh yeah, dripping oil!!

[Nics runner]

Hi to all.

Very new to this forum thing but ultimately had to bite the bullet!!
Having a real nightmare with my 91 runner, its got the 6cyl motor and has done 180000 kms of very light motoring. I have owned it for about 18months and its the first 4wd I have ever had, so far loving it, apart from it seems to of developed an oil leak from the rear of the camshaft covers. I have had the gaskets changed about 3000kms ago and it still leaks from the same area. took it to a mechanic this morning (who changed the gaskets) seems to think that there will be another gasket/seal on the rear of the rocker covers ??
Can anybody advise me prior to having the car booked in and the engine pulled apart again!
Cheers to anyone that could help.
Nic

 

[Parrotheadrob]

When you say you had the gaskets changed, was that the valve cover gaskets? I am not sure about the 91, but I know my 97 with the 3.4 V-6 had cam plugs on the back of the heads that leaked. They are hard, but can be replaced without tearing down the entire motor. That would be the first thing I checked.

 

[Nics runner]

Buddy thanks for the reply!!
Sorry for my ambiguous description, the rubber gaskets seal the cam cover on the top of the engine, just under the plenum intake chamber were changed, but the bloke at the garage (who I dont have much faith in) thinks that there may be another circular cover/seal at the rear of the cam cover that is leaking, its right up against the bulkhead.
I'm not sure if there is a seal at all and the mechanic was only speculating as he was the bloke that fitted the gaskets (allegedly).
He did go on to say though that he would have to pull the intake chamber off and all the rest of the top of the engine to get to the rear of the cam covers, which seems about right, but I dont know if there is a seal/gasket there at all??
I was hoping htat someone who has more experience than myself (read none)has had the same/similar issues and would be able to advise me.
Parrotheadrob, If your 4runner has the 3.4 I do know but only from scouring the internet that the engines are different by a bit and I dont know if my engine 3ve has the same seal.
Again though thanks for your reply.
Nic