Need help identifying...

[adiosambrose]

Hi ya'll, my 1991 FJ80 is having a bummer of a time. I just noticed that she's got no oil (none, wtf) - I refilled her oil tank and put some cardboard under her to see what's going on/where the leak is/if it's just burning oil, etc. However, I noticed this and I don't know what it is but it looks not great! Could somebody plz identify? I'm reading the repair manual back to front and front to back again and can't figure it out. Let me down lightly, guys.

 

[Kernal]

When was the last time the oil was showing as full?
Where on the engine does the leak seem the worse?
Is your drain plug stripped, oil filter installed correctly?
Any recent service on the engine, oil change at a Quickie Lube shop?
Is there a big oil mess on the upper right side of the engine?

If an oil filter wasn't installed correctly, or the wrong filter, or cross-threaded, or even an O-ring from the old filter left stuck to the engine
and a new filter put on over that, any of those could result in a large leak.


Here's a few previous discussions about massive oil leaks in the 3FE

3FE Discouraging tale (valves, oil galley, and knocking)

So I want to hash out the tail of the past year from the beginning to get feedback on where you all think I should go next. I have learned a lot about this truck and this engine but I'm lost as to what is happening in my engine that is causing the problem. Thanks for all the help thus far! Big...

forum.ih8mud.com

Help! Oil Gushing out of Engine!

Last night I heard the words from my wife that I always dreaded... "What does it mean when the oil gauge thingy is on "L" and the oil light comes on?" Short Story Wife comes home and oil level is ZERO! Look under the truck and oil is splatered everywhere on underside. I fill up with old...

forum.ih8mud.com

Oil pan gasket?

I think the gasket went on my oil pan after I had to pull my friend out of the mud. Noticed that almost all the oil was on the ground after I had shut the truck off for a few minutes. The leak is towards the front and is dripping off of the right side of the front right swaybar. Could it be...

forum.ih8mud.com

If you aren't using the Toyota Factory Service Manual (FSM) here's a link where you can download a copy:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/resources/1991-land-cruiser-fj80-fsm-rm180u.218/

 

[jonheld]

When you say things like "she's got no oil", what do you mean?
No oil showing on the dipstick, or no oil comes out when you remove the drain plug?
No oil showing on the dipstick is not a huge deal as the sump holds 2 gallons (8 quarts) and is well baffled. You could be 4 quarts low and still be fine.

If you're referring to the small plate held on with 2 bolts at the bottom of the bellhousing, that's an inspection plate.
The coating of oil on everything is typical 3FE rustproofing
Most likely cause is the rear arch seal of the oil pan gasket. This is very often misdiagnosed as a rear main seal leak.
The OEM oil pan gasket is a 1 piece cork gasket (12151-61011) and inexpensive. Do not use FIPG or aftermarket crap.

In any case, I would clean things up and try to diagnose where the leak(s) are coming from before moving forward with replacing seals.
Here's some good reading for you:

General Tech - 3FE Tune Up Info

3FE Tune Up Info

forum.ih8mud.com

General Tech - 3FE EFI Diagnostics

3FE EFI Diagnostics updated for 2020

forum.ih8mud.com

General Tech - 3FE Belt Routing

3FE Belt Routing with part numbers. Original shamelessly stolen and modified.

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Mark W]

How much oil did you need to add to refill the "oil tank" back to full when you discovered that there was "none" there?

What exactly are you wanting to show us in the pics from under the rig?

Mark...

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Cardboard looks clean. Like Kernal said, how much time and miles driven elapsed between when dipstick showing full and empty?

 

[adiosambrose]

When you say things like "she's got no oil", what do you mean?
No oil showing on the dipstick, or no oil comes out when you remove the drain plug?
No oil showing on the dipstick is not a huge deal as the sump holds 2 gallons (8 quarts) and is well baffled. You could be 4 quarts low and still be fine.

If you're referring to the small plate held on with 2 bolts at the bottom of the bellhousing, that's an inspection plate.
The coating of oil on everything is typical 3FE rustproofing
Most likely cause is the rear arch seal of the oil pan gasket. This is very often misdiagnosed as a rear main seal leak.
The OEM oil pan gasket is a 1 piece cork gasket (12151-61011) and inexpensive. Do not use FIPG or aftermarket crap.

In any case, I would clean things up and try to diagnose where the leak(s) are coming from before moving forward with replacing seals.
Here's some good reading for you:

General Tech - 3FE Tune Up Info

3FE Tune Up Info

forum.ih8mud.com

General Tech - 3FE EFI Diagnostics

3FE EFI Diagnostics updated for 2020

forum.ih8mud.com

General Tech - 3FE Belt Routing

3FE Belt Routing with part numbers. Original shamelessly stolen and modified.

forum.ih8mud.com

THANK YOU! This is super helpful!