I've been leaking oil for some time. I have a 91 Toyota with a 3VZ, originally I thought the real main was leaking. A week has past now and no oil has leaked out, and I know if the rear main is the problem it'll leak constantly. I was told maybe it's the rear head bolts?? Not really sure. About 6 months ago I replaced the crank, new bottom bearings, front and rear seals, and new value cover gaskets. I followed all the specs on torquing everything down. So now I have an engine leaking oil and do not know where to start.
Leaking oil, need advice.
- Thread starter IdriveYotas
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My suggestion is to clean the engine the best you can, get rid of the extra oil all over the place, so you can trace where it's leaking from. Use engine degreaser, brake cleaner, etc to try to get it as clean as possible. Then take it for a drive, see if you can locate where it's leaking.
These engines are notorious for leaks on the oil cooler in front of the oil filter, if that helps.
These engines are notorious for leaks on the oil cooler in front of the oil filter, if that helps.
- Thread starter
- #3
@KLF I've done that, cleaned all the oil off the back of the engine and tranny from underneath with a pressure washer. It's still had to tell exactly where the oil is coming from. I know its coming down from the back of the engine and runs down the tranny. I've checked the oil filter numerous times thinking that was the problem. What about some kind of dye I could place in the oil to target the place it's leaking?
Nuclearlemon turned me onto stuff called Tracerline dyes. They work real good if done right. The kit runs about $50 and will leave a orange streak where the leak is. Don't run too long without checking because the orange will go everywhere and be more difficult to trace, but it has been really helpful in diagnosing leaks on my Scout.
I don't know about the 3vz, but on my 22re for about a year i saw a really bad oil leak in back between the engine and tranny, i always thought it was the rear main seal and i was getting ready to replace it, then somebody told me to put some FIPG on the half moons front and rear on the valve and replace the gasket. To my surprise the oil leak stopped, and i think you should do the same, check valve cover gaskets first.
Check the cam plugs on the back of the heads. If you replaced all the other then I would go there next. They are pretty notorious leak points on the 3vz motors.
If it leaks one day then the next its fine, I would check the oil pan really good. Especially if it has a cork gasket. With my past experiences, if a cork gasket is installed just right, it will seal up and last a very long time. Those aftermarket rubber gaskets are worth next to nothing. Oh and x2 on the tracer dyes. They work awesome, but like previously stated, do not let the engine run too long as the dyes would then be useless.