Oil loss: Valve Cover Gaskets?

[jhuerta22]

Just rolled over 300K in my 4runner, and I noticed at the last oil change it was down on the bottom end of the operating range on the dipstick. I assumed that this was due to my leaking valve cover gaskets, but they have leaked since I bought it and I haven't seen this level of oil loss before. After the oil change I filled it up to the top of the operating range, then after checking it this afternoon I noticed that it was down to about middle of the operating range on the dipstick with only 300 miles on the new oil change. It wouldn't bother me so much, but I have had ZERO oil puddles in my driveway. Oil filter is tight and the seal is clean, oil plug is clean. The underside of the truck has little to no oil caked on it. The engine blows no smoke. Has anyone else had this happen?

 

[mtbtim]

Well, let me start off with a question and it's not meant to be insulting. When you changed the oil and topped it off and when you checked the oil recently, was it on level ground? If not, this could be the reason why you are getting such a drastic level difference so soon. If the answer is yes, then the oil is either leaking out or your engine is burning it due to worn cylinders and/or piston rings.

 

[jhuerta22]

Well, let me start off with a question and it's not meant to be insulting. When you changed the oil and topped it off and when you checked the oil recently, was it on level ground?

Not insulting as long as it's crossing something off the list. Yes, the oil was changed and checked on level ground. Would it be possible to lose that amount of oil around the valve covers and still not have a drip on pavement?

 

[mtbtim]

Not insulting as long as it's crossing something off the list. Yes, the oil was changed and checked on level ground. Would it be possible to lose that amount of oil around the valve covers and still not have a drip on pavement?

Having the oil level drop to mid level on the operating range means you lost around 1/2 quart of oil. When leaking from the valve cover gaskets, half moons and cam plugs, the oil has to travel quite a distance before reaching the ground so it could be possible. Maybe clean up the underside of your engine really good with some degreaser and then maybe it will be clearer to you if your oil leak is really that bad.

 

[reelamin]

Just to throw out some info....you burned a quart of oil in how many miles? One quart per normal oil change of 3-6K is nothing other than normal use. With 300K....its great oil use/loss. Question....did you run it (fill new filter) then top it off?

If you are externally leaking half a quart of oil in 300 miles you are going to see it plain as day IMO that is a lot of oil to have running down the side of your engine. If it's not hitting the ground it has to be burning off on the exhaust manifold and it would be smoking and you would smell it.

My old 95/3.0 burned a lot of oil and leaked very little. Never smoked at all ever! My Suburban burns oil (about a quart every 1000-1500 miles) and it does not smoke at all either. The Suburban is white, and it has blackened the rocker panel above the exhuast....so no question its burning it.

 

[IsaiahC]

Just rolled over 300K in my 4runner, and I noticed at the last oil change it was down on the bottom end of the operating range on the dipstick. I assumed that this was due to my leaking valve cover gaskets, but they have leaked since I bought it and I haven't seen this level of oil loss before. After the oil change I filled it up to the top of the operating range, then after checking it this afternoon I noticed that it was down to about middle of the operating range on the dipstick with only 300 miles on the new oil change. It wouldn't bother me so much, but I have had ZERO oil puddles in my driveway. Oil filter is tight and the seal is clean, oil plug is clean. The underside of the truck has little to no oil caked on it. The engine blows no smoke. Has anyone else had this happen?

I don't think you lost half a quart of oil in 300 miles. If you changed the oil filter, then topped off the oil, as soon as you turn the engine over, your oil level will drop because the new filter gets filled with oil. You might have lost a little bit, but I don't think it's enough to worry about.

 

[mtbtim]

I don't think you lost half a quart of oil in 300 miles. If you changed the oil filter, then topped off the oil, as soon as you turn the engine over, your oil level will drop because the new filter gets filled with oil. You might have lost a little bit, but I don't think it's enough to worry about.

From the sound of it, this isn't the first time the OP has changed the oil and filter on a vehicle so I'm assuming he changed the oil and filter, ran the vehicle and then topped off the level.

 

[7echo]

mtbtim's comment about the distance from the VC leaks to the ground is definitely something to consider. The oil gets stuck to lots of stuff on the way to the ground. I can see the oil on the steering rack and areas above on my truck.

 

[Rayford]

I see a similar oil loss as OP. 1997 3.4, 250k miles. In the first 800 miles since I bought it, I went from full on the dipstick to halfway down to the "add" mark, about 1/4 qt. I smells like burnt oil but I never see any on the ground. I assume the leaking oil is hitting the exhaust system and burning away. I think adding oil frequently is the cheapest remedy by far.

 

[jhuerta22]

I'll check it again and see if there are any drips or a change in the oil level. I usually check the oil immediately after an oil change, then drive it for the work week (approximately 120 miles), then check and top off. I always have an extra quart handy for this, but I don't think the 22 logged oil changes I've done have I ever had to use the full quart between oil changes. My guess is the valve cover gaskets are finally bad enough that I have to address them. So any suggestions for vendors for a set of new gaskets? Camelback?

 

[mtbtim]

I'll check it again and see if there are any drips or a change in the oil level. I usually check the oil immediately after an oil change, then drive it for the work week (approximately 120 miles), then check and top off. I always have an extra quart handy for this, but I don't think the 22 logged oil changes I've done have I ever had to use the full quart between oil changes. My guess is the valve cover gaskets are finally bad enough that I have to address them. So any suggestions for vendors for a set of new gaskets? Camelback?

Camelback is always a good choice. They are my goto online supplier.

Check out the video [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I made for the valve cover gasket job. It was the first video we made together that sparked the idea to start our YouTube channel, Timmy the Toolman.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N5fAXAuGozI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[thegipper]

My 97 with 213k miles leaks oil out of the valve covers. It makes a mess on the rack, the bell housing and pretty much everything underneath the valve covers.

It doesn't leak a single drop on the ground though. It mostly just covers stuff and some collects on the rear skid plate.

In 3k miles when I do my oil changes, it never leaks enough to make any noticeable difference on the dipstick though. So my leak is probably not nearly as bad as yours. The oil has to go somewhere, it is either being burned off in the engine, burned off on the exhaust manifold/block or is leaking down onto something that isn't making it to the ground.

I've actually watch my VC leak onto my exhaust manifold and burn off as it was running. It leaves a lovely burnt oil smell that I sometimes notice in the cabin when sitting at a stop light with the window down. It's not terrible but I do notice it here and there.

Keep looking...