Oil in the throttle body.

[rcrick]

Hey guys, I just recently bought a 2002 4Runner and ive noticed it blowing some smoke from the tailpipe. Tonight i started taking the breather assembly off so i could get some compression readings and i noticed it to be full of oil. Oil seems to be coming out of the throttle body. Could this be caused by bad headgasket or is it likely a bad pcv valve? Thanks!

 

[98OzarksRunner]

Probably bad PCV valve, but could be blowby from bad rings. Probably not a head gasket.

 

[LittleCaesar]

+1 on the PCV valve. Check to see the color of the smoke from the initial start up.

 

[rcrick]

It was a gray heavy smoke that lingers around for a few minutes if there is no wind.

 

[rcrick]

I figured I should add that I did get compression readings on the passenger side. The engine was relatively cold as it had probably sat for 3-4hrs before I checked the compression. I got about 120-130psi for each of the 3 cylinders. I may not have turned the motor over enough times though. I'm going to recheck all 6 cylinders after work today and go ahead and replace the pcv and grommet since that's only $6 total.

Any thoughts on the cold reading of 120-130psi? Too low?

This truck has 166k miles on it.

 

[LittleCaesar]

5x cranking per cylinder to get an accurate reading for compression, or at least that is what I was told long ago, and what I still follow today.

Losing any coolant or oil?

As long as the driver's side's numbers are within 10%, even 15%, you are OK.

Change the PCV, put about 200 miles or more on it, and recheck.

 

[rcrick]

The coolant level seem like it may be dropping. The guy I bought it from put so much air freshener spray inside that it really makes smelling anything else difficult. There have been times where I thought I smelled coolant but can never be sure.

What I do know is that the coolant overflow reservoir level seems to be dropping. I haven't driven it enough to know how fast it's losing oil but it's certainly loosing it. a good portion of it is being sprayed into intake manifold.

 

[shootmymime]

you need to have all the spark plugs out and the throttle at WOT for most accurate compression readings.

Dont worry about checking the other 3 cyls. replace or just clean the pcv and that will fix your problem. now mind you it may smoke for a few more days until it is able to burn out all of that oil thats still in the manifold, thats normal. While your in there maybe look up at sucking a half of can of sea foam in the pcv line to help the cleaning process.

dont worry, its a simpler fix.

 

[rcrick]

Thanks for all the response guys.

Are you saying that the pcv valve would cause the coolant level to drop as well?

 

[shootmymime]

Thanks for all the response guys.

Are you saying that the pcv valve would cause the coolant level to drop as well?

no, just the oil.

the coolant could be burping the system. mine drank fluid for a good 2 months (1.5-2 gal) before it got full and quit. just keep filling it up and keep and eye on it.

but the pcv will fix your oil problem. take it out. it should rattle if you shake it up and down, the check valve is probably stuck on it.

 

[rcrick]

Good call on that. The timing belt and water pump was just changed a month ago And hasn't had many miles put on it since then. It could easily still have air in the system.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I'd say the mechanic did not fill the reservoir up to the correct level. Not a big deal.

Just check after some time with the new PCV in the engine for more oil.

 

[nissanh]

Get a new PCV valve and the rubber grommet from the dealer.

 

[rcrick]

Happy to report the results of the compression test. 190+ psi across all cylinders with very little variation at operating temp. New pcv valve and grommet installed. Cheers to another 166k miles.

Happy to join the forums, hopefully i can soon offer help to others the way that you all have helped me. I am new to the 4runner but not new to the 5vzfe. Im really looking forward to having some fun in here.