Slow Oil Leak Dilenma

[BDow]

I bought a 2000 4Runner last november to replace my '99 Chevy Malibu that I drove for six years and have really enjoyed it so far (though the gas mileage makes me kinda sad). When I first bought it the oil dipstick was only halfway covered with oil so I got an oil change. Ok... no big deal. However, over time I came to realize that I actually have a slow oil leak and I don't know where it's coming from. I drive it for a week or two and it will be totally fine, but every now and then the oil level drops a lot. For instance, before I went to church one day I pulled it out and it was only half way full! Consequently, I have to check the oil level on the dipstick all the time and it's quite annoying.

The mechanic that my family does business with informed us that it could be the valve covers or the pan gasket. Ultimately, I won't know for sure until I clean the undercarriage and see exactly where it's leaking from.

Still, I'm curious if anyone has experienced these symptoms as well and what you've done about them, especially cost-wise. Here's a pic to show you what I'm talking about:

 

[Raintrees]

without know more about mile n with everything looking like it covered in oil I deff say valve covers could be were the leak is. best off clean up the oil mess to find the leak.

 

[animator]

Most definitely valve covers. Mine looks exactly like that.


I tightened mine back as most of the bolts were finger-tight if that. That helped quite a bit, but it still needs new gaskets and seals.

 

[BDow]

I checked the engine compartment and sure enough the passenger side oil valve cover is super gunked up. The top and middle bolt on the driver's side are dry, but the bottom one is sludgy as well.
I've read around on the forums and outside of being very careful to slightly tighten any loose bolts is there anything I can do? I'm on a very tight budget right now so I'm not going to take anything apart any time soon. It's been about the same since November so I don't imagine it will get a whole lot worse...

 

[pluton]

Have you changed the oil filter since the leak started?
The leaky valve covers should produce a constant, day in, day out leak, usually only when warmed up and running. If your leak is truly intermittent....nothing for a while, then a substantial leak all at once... check the oil filter. I had one(a K&H, which should be a good brand, right?) that just leaked from around the gasket.
Once replaced(with an OEM filter), no leaks.

 

[xspsi6]

its not an oil pan gasket as they use fipg sealer which never leaks.

vc gaskets are very common on the 3rd gens.

 

[Diezel]

Can confirm. 3rd gen has common valve cover leaks. Looked at 4 3rd gens before buying mine. They all had leaks. One I bought is currently torn apart in my garage getting new VCG's.

 

[Tyota89]

Have the exact same issue. I am not losing enough oil to worry about it at the moment. I tighten the loose bolts and started fixing other things.