suspected leaked V6 engine, with pictures

[tcpoob]

suspected leaking V6 engine, with pictures

2005 SR5 v6 4WD 1GR-FE, 122k miles, seems to drive normally, daily driver

i noticed some stain on passenger side engine. It seems to be between the top and bottom half of the engine. It's been there for several months, if not more than a year since I noticed it. Could this suggest some seal / gasket leak? The driver side is clean. Pictures below.

Please advise, and happy memorial day weekend.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Valve cover gasket leak, not that hard to fix if you're handy with a wrench. Nothing serious but can be messy...

And when you said Leaked V6 I thought you meant you had some juicy info on some new v6 Toyota was making!

 

[tcpoob]

valve cover gasket leak

thanks for the tip. i've only done very basic stuff on cars, like brake pads and spark plugs, not handy. i'll search the forum on the keywords you mentioned (valve cover gasket).

so is the stain from engine oil (5w30)? what happens if I leave it alone - the leak will likely get worse? Is it from aging, wear and tear - to have the valve cover gasket leak? It's a 2005 V6 4WD with 122k miles in the northeast. Just last year I'd rear differential bearing work so I am hoping not having to spend much on this new problem.

If anyone have links to step by step guide with pictures, I might attempt it after a few drinks ;0)

Valve cover gasket leak, not that hard to fix if you're handy with a wrench. Nothing serious but can be messy...

And when you said Leaked V6 I thought you meant you had some juicy info on some new v6 Toyota was making!

 

[tcpoob]

New question, is the 4th gen V6 passenger side valve cover
gasket replacement an easier job than the driver side? I remember the driver side spark plugs were trickier.



Edit: Did some more searching, and concluded that's not the PCV, which should be hidden under the engine cover and perhaps seen after removing/lifting the "plenum"?

BTW, is the valve / vent looking thing at 5 o'clock position in the first picture the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) ? I've never had that replaced so maybe it'd something to do with the valve cover gasket leak? I think the 1 or 2 years ago, the dealer service suggested that replaced, when I was there for a quick oil change.

Thanks

 

[galactic_04]

There is a TSB on that for the tacomas for a leak like that, I've never seen it on the 4runner if it's the same leak.

I'd honestly wipe it down good and check it in a week. Make sure it's not coming from under that spot. The leak for the TSB is for the head where it meets the timing cover right by the power steering pump. Check there by pulling your finger across under that side head. I really hope it's just the valve cover as the leak I'm thinking of means tearing the head off on that side and the front engine cover and resealing it, not easy. The valve cover is MUCH easier. Clean it off and make sure it's just the valve cover first.

 

[Jerrydog]

I'd put a quarter turn on the valve cover bolts

 

[jow]

Did you check the valve cover bolts to see if they needed tightening. On some of the old cork gaskets that was routine maintenance and it gave you more time between replacing gaskets. jow

 

[jow]

Did you check the valve cover bolts to see if they needed tightening. On some of the old cork gaskets that was routine maintenance and it gave you more time between replacing gaskets. jow

 

[TechWrench]

New question, is the 4th gen V6 passenger side valve cover
gasket replacement an easier job than the driver side? I remember the driver side spark plugs were trickier.



Edit: Did some more searching, and concluded that's not the PCV, which should be hidden under the engine cover and perhaps seen after removing/lifting the "plenum"?

BTW, is the valve / vent looking thing at 5 o'clock position in the first picture the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) ? I've never had that replaced so maybe it'd something to do with the valve cover gasket leak? I think the 1 or 2 years ago, the dealer service suggested that replaced, when I was there for a quick oil change.

Thanks

As others have said, the leak appears to be from the valve cover gasket. You can try checking the cover bolts to see if they have loosened over time.

As for the item in the pic. If you mean the gray plastic cap on the item attached to the aluminum pipe, that is one of the two A/C charge ports for checking/adding refridgerant to the A/C system. Not the PCV valve.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Did you check the valve cover bolts to see if they needed tightening. On some of the old cork gaskets that was routine maintenance and it gave you more time between replacing gaskets. jow

Not sure if that would really make much of a difference, most of the Valve Cover gaskets Toyota uses are rubber or a black sealant we use.

 

[jow]

At some point a PCV valve (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) was mentioned. If it is bad enough, I feel it could cause too much crank case pressure and cause gaskets to leak. Info at the address below:

Replacing the PCV valve jow

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

Changing the gasket out is very easy. basically your taking the whole plastic air intake assembly off. I've done it 3 times installing X1's (mine and two xrunners) I would suggest that if your doing that I would replace both of them just to be safe..

 

[Jerrydog]

Not sure if that would really make much of a difference, most of the Valve Cover gaskets Toyota uses are rubber or a black sealant we use.

On my 300k Pathfinder after 100k miles the bolts were loose or the gasket had shrunk, a half turn or so fixed the weeping problem. did it again periodically from then on, just snug em up and she was fine.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I meant that we don't really use valve cover gaskets on a lot of the newer engines, mostly just use some type of sealant goo.

 

[JIMXEOD]

Not being an a** but if you didn't know that was the valve cover gasket leaking, I wouldn't attempt changing them yourself. Just being honest.