What is leaking from my engine?

[david6245]

Hello Everyone, this is my first post to the forum. I am seeking the experience from this group to help me understand what is leaking from my engine. I have attached some pictures, and it is the black char/residue in the picture. I have noticed a few drips of brownish/red oil in my garage, but nothing major - maybe it all leaked out by the time I got home . I also notice a smell from the engine area that reminds me of burnt rubber, or maybe from two things rubbing against each other. Unfortunately this is about as well as I can describe it.

I have a 2003 V8 SR5 2WD with 233k miles on it. I follow the routine maintenance schedule, and have not had any major problems.

Can anyone help me with this?

Please let me know if I can provide any more information or if more pictures would help.

Thanks, and I am grateful that this forum exists.

 

[Soneill]

Hello Everyone, this is my first post to the forum. I am seeking the experience from this group to help me understand what is leaking from my engine. I have attached some pictures, and it is the black char/residue in the picture. I have noticed a few drips of brownish/red oil in my garage, but nothing major - maybe it all leaked out by the time I got home . I also notice a smell from the engine area that reminds me of burnt rubber, or maybe from two things rubbing against each other. Unfortunately this is about as well as I can describe it.

I have a 2003 V8 SR5 2WD with 233k miles on it. I follow the routine maintenance schedule, and have not had any major problems.

Can anyone help me with this?

Please let me know if I can provide any more information or if more pictures would help.

Thanks, and I am grateful that this forum exists.

Looks like your valve cover gaskets are shot.

 

[david6245]

Thanks Soneill. So, as long as I keep my engine oil topped off, it shouldn't be an issue?

Also, I noticed some threaded holes that don't have anything threaded in them. Is this supposed to be like this? If so, what is it for? Another noob question.

Thanks again.

 

[ASUMTNEER]

Take a 10mm socket and a ratchet and try to tighten those valve cover bolts down until you can get the gaskets changed out. I had a 2003 Tundra with the 4.7L V8 and those bolts were only finger tight when I checked them. Just be sure to not over tighten.

 

[fdbyrne]

Take a 10mm socket and a ratchet and try to tighten those valve cover bolts down until you can get the gaskets changed out. I had a 2003 Tundra with the 4.7L V8 and those bolts were only finger tight when I checked them. Just be sure to not over tighten.

And it's very easy to over tighten them. I think the correct torque spec is in inch-pounds. I snapped (or maybe stripped, I can't remember) one on my old 2.7 and it took no effort at all.

 

[Soneill]

Thanks Soneill. So, as long as I keep my engine oil topped off, it shouldn't be an issue?

Also, I noticed some threaded holes that don't have anything threaded in them. Is this supposed to be like this? If so, what is it for? Another noob question.

Thanks again.

You definitely want to get it fixed. It could turn into a fire hazard if you get too much oil and grim build up. I would do what [MENTION=70182]ASUMTNEER[/MENTION] suggested. I work at a small car dealership and we see it all the time on the 3rd and 4th gens. I have snugged the valve cover bolts down on over a dozen 4runners(very common). Yours will probably be so loose you can get at least 2 turns before you feel resistance. From there give it another 1/8 to 1/4 turn and the leak will slow. But, as [MENTION=118509]fdbyrne[/MENTION] said you want to be careful not to break anything. Don't worry about the other bolt holes nothing is missing.