Sprung a leak. But from where?

[68whiskey]

Getting underneath the 4Runner to get small spots of surface rust prepped so I can have it undercoated. Spotted some fluid that looked pretty fresh. Hopefully some of you guys can help me identify where it's coming from. Maybe tranny cooler lines? I never see anything on the pavement when it's parked or running, so it's hard for me to say. Not the greatest pictures, but they're hard to get. Any input would be appreciated!

 

[turbo8]

Check your valve cover gasket.

 

[68whiskey]

Check your valve cover gasket.

Just had the valve cover gaskets changed. There's still some old oil on the block and things from when they were bad, but that was done about a month ago and they're clean and dry all the way around. Whatever is leaking looks pretty fresh.

 

[gonzo97]

Im curious to see what you find, i too have a similar looking situation.

 

[LittleCaesar]

My guess would be is that the semi circular plug was not resealed and/or the cam seal plug wasn't replaced when replacing the valve cover gaskets.....

 

[Nate_GB]

Doesn't really look like tranny fluid but the dip stick is two pieces and the joint is right there. Might check that out. I'd probably start by cleaning it up and then check again next time you drive to narrow it down a bit more.

 

[68whiskey]

Doesn't really look like tranny fluid but the dip stick is two pieces and the joint is right there. Might check that out. I'd probably start by cleaning it up and then check again next time you drive to narrow it down a bit more.

Yeah, that looks like the next step. There's a lot of old oil from the old valve cover gaskets along with the dirt that stuck to it. I guess I'll just have to degrease it really well and go from there.

 

[pluton]

Determine what color it is, what it feels like, and what it smells like. That'll tell you what it is.

 

[thegipper]

On face value it looks like engine oil, probably from valve covers. Whether it was from before you had the gaskets replaced or not is hard to say.

Definitely clean it all up and see if it continues to leak. Did they replace the cam seals and half moons? Did they use FIPG to seal them?

 

[68whiskey]

On face value it looks like engine oil, probably from valve covers. Whether it was from before you had the gaskets replaced or not is hard to say.

Definitely clean it all up and see if it continues to leak. Did they replace the cam seals and half moons? Did they use FIPG to seal them?

I gave them the parts for the valve cover gaskets (e.g. gaskets and spark plug seals), PCV valve and grommet, and cam seals. I was told the half moons could be cleaned, so I didn't give them those. When I picked the truck up, they gave the cam seals back to me and said that they were supposed to be changed when timing maintenance was done. I don't agree, but at that point I didn't see the need to argue. Its been done. So now I'm wondering if that is the cause of the issue. The back of the valve cover gaskets is dry on both sides though, just old oil and dirt build up from the previous worn out gaskets.

 

[HiLife]

Yeah to change out the cam seals, the timing belt has to come off the cam sprockets. And the timing mark may have to be realigned again upon going back on the cam sprockets.
To me that's not a big deal if your doing the job yourself. But yeah, the shop will be charging you an equivalent labor of a timing belt job to in order to get at the cam seals.
As mentioned above...my guess on your leak issue is the half moon plugs were not properly sealed up and oil is leaking past those. Or, oil is leaking past the corners and crevices where the FIPG is placed.

 

[68whiskey]

Yeah to change out the cam seals, the timing belt has to come off the cam sprockets. And the timing mark may have to be realigned again upon going back on the cam sprockets.
To me that's not a big deal if your doing the job yourself. But yeah, the shop will be charging you an equivalent labor of a timing belt job to in order to get at the cam seals.
As mentioned above...my guess on your leak issue is the half moon plugs were not properly sealed up and oil is leaking past those. Or, oil is leaking past the corners and crevices where the FIPG is placed.

Makes sense. I just wish they would have called first before just deciding not to change them. At least give me the option, because now in order to get them done, I would have to have them or someone else redo the valve cover gaskets. I know that the job is not difficult and Im sure I could do it, but time is an issue which is why i took it to them in the first place.

 

[mtbtim]

Makes sense. I just wish they would have called first before just deciding not to change them. At least give me the option, because now in order to get them done, I would have to have them or someone else redo the valve cover gaskets. I know that the job is not difficult and Im sure I could do it, but time is an issue which is why i took it to them in the first place.

If you decide to redo the valve cover gasket job, here's a video [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I made that could help you out. This is just another example that it's quite often better to do your own work if you have the time because you'll find you'll do a much better job than the supposed experts.

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

 

[68whiskey]

If you decide to redo the valve cover gasket job, here's a video [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I made that could help you out. This is just another example that it's quite often better to do your own work if you have the time because you'll find you'll do a much better job than the supposed experts.

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

Thank you! The more I look at this the more I realize I should have just done it to begin with. I like to have things done right the first time, and I figured by having a mechanic do it I would be good to go. Guess not! I appreciate this though.

 

[TheDurk]

Makes sense. I just wish they would have called first before just deciding not to change them. At least give me the option, because now in order to get them done, I would have to have them or someone else redo the valve cover gaskets. I know that the job is not difficult and Im sure I could do it, but time is an issue which is why i took it to them in the first place.

It sounds like you are talking about the front camshaft seals, behind the pulleys. You definitely do NOT have to touch the valve covers to replace those. As the mechanic said, it is part of a timing belt job because the belt has to come off, so several hundred dollars in additional labor not needed for just the valve cover gaskets. Valve covers are a totally separate effort from the front cam seals.