noob ask...what isn't leaking?!

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Chip B

Chip B

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Aug 11, 2005
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WILMINGTON, NC
Well I finally got my 62 into the garage for it's first oil change/inspection since I bought it last month. Told them to check underneath for diagnoses of leaks ( I was not to stressed about it since it only gives up couple of small drops on driveway per week)

The list came back as follows:
rt side valve cover gasket
oil pan gasket
ft crank seal
rear main seal :crybaby:
transmission pan gasket
output shaft seal

As I have mentioned before, I dont know much about engines other than changing fluids. I have ordered a FSM but I need your opnion..

Should I do anything at this point, if so, in what order of importance? or just wait till a rebuild? FYI: Other than the leaks, no problems

Also, How much should I expect for a rebuild? I would like to keep this rig for awhile..
 
Almost every old LC leaks and FJ62s are some of the worst. You just need to drive the rig for a while and check on what fluids are leaving the fastest (adding them as needed, of course). Do one repair at a time and eventually it'll get fixed.

When I bought mine in November, it had pretty much all those issues (except the output shaft). Some are easy to fix (valve cover gasket) some are a real PITA (oil pan gasket, rear main seal). As long as the leaks aren't severe, though, you'll be fine. Keep driving it, and keep checking your fluids. Don't pay for an entire rebuild when you don't need one. (I'm assuming your compression is good). You'll have plenty of other LC expenses (gas, mods, etc) to keep you busy, pocketbook wise.

Maybe have the shop do the rear main seal (cause that's hard for a newbie) but consider doing some of the other repairs yourself. The gaskets are like 20 bucks a piece, it's the shop's labor that you're paying for.

A rebuild??? I'm guessing would cost around 3-5k. And that wouldn't fix some of the tranny issues. But don't worry.. LC motors can lost a long, long time. They just need some love. And if your compression is good and you're not burning oil, you don't have to worry too much.
 
don't put 100% faith in their estimate. It's hard to tell if the rear main seal is leaking if the oilpan gasket is. My shop (reputable) said same thing. got the oilpan gasket fixed - boom - no more leaks. It typically runs back making a mess and is hard to tell exactly which or if both are leaking. take care of them one at a time, but do the oilpan and see if it stops leaking. You might have it steam cleaned to help or get some of the engine degreaser to make it easier to see where it's actually leaking.
Like ballardcruiser said - keep an eye on your fluids - see what's escaping...then tackle it slowly. you won't be let down - tough trucks.

Good luck!

rob
 
I agree pretty much with Jasons and Robs posts. All the leaks are 75%+ labor and only the the rear main seal is the PITA.
Wait till you get the FSM and you will have a better idea of whats involved.

In the mean time I would get some good degreaser and wash the entire engine/transmission in the areas where its supposed to be leaking.

Then with rag in hand monitor the leaks and wipe them down daily to see if the shop's assessment was accurate.
Its not imposible for one leak to spread across an entire engine giving the appearance its leaking everywhere

Try and sort engine oil and transmission leaks by the colour of oil.
Engine oil is always black unless recently changed.

Note mechanics love jobs like these. They can disappear under the bonnet for hours and only they know how much labor went into it so keep your eyes open.

My 3F has about 160k miles and its leaking from the rear mains.
Only leak it ever got:mad:
 
That list can't be right. The differentials should be leaking too.

Everybody says Rovers leak like crazy, but they got nuthin' on an FJ62. Accept it as a fact of life, think of it as an automatic rustproofing system. It's a fools venture to try to get one leak-free. I should know, I tried.
 
Great advice above. Suggest you follow it. In addition (when you get the FSM) check the torque on the oil pan bolts, side cover bolts, etc. Many of us have found these to be quite loose. Take 'em back to spec, and it'll reduce leaks by a lot.

On the engine rebuild - check cyl compression and oil pressure - if both are OK, then it's likely that your engine is strong.
 
unless and untill its leaking enough to really bother you or cuase damage, then just leave it be.

You can make em leak free, I have done so on my 82 fj40 and 86 fj60, but I fixed most of the leaks when i had clutchs installed(or diff work done).....on a 62.....just let it be.
 
The oil pan gasket isnt' really that hard. I found the hardest part of that job was scraping the old gasket material off of the pan.

My 87 is leak free now. It originally had two leaks, the oil pan, and rear main. Had the rear man done when toyota did the clutch, did the oil pan myself.
 
its a miracle your power steering pump isn't leaking, because that is a VERY common source of leaks on FJ60-62s.
I can't stand leaks and try my best to stay on top of them. Many leaks will sneak up on you and cause a catastrophe if you don't check the levels constantly.... AND... many leaks will also cause damage to all your rubber parts that are below or downstream from the leak.

for example: a leaky powersteering pump can be topped off once a week, then next thing you know, you are 200 miles from home, your smog pump has had enough of months of Power Steering fluid leaks, it freezes up, your belt burns up (the same one that powers the water pump), and you find yourself on the side of the road. You might be wise enough to have a full set of spare belts with you, but not many people have a spare smog pump with them. so you are stranded because of that slight leak in the power steering pump.

leaks are also bad for hoses, belts, and motor mounts. fix those leaks. I have a rear seal leak. but I am waiting for the day when I can get a 5 speed and kill 2 birds with one stone.
 
Yeah, I have to agree with a few othes here, They may be trying to make it PERFECT when you just want to make sure it doesn't leak too much.

For small leaks RESTORE engine treatment will stop up most of them. Bigger leaks need attention but you don't have that. My oil pan gasket leaked a bit but put it off until I replaced the oil pump then had to do the gasket. Unless you are retired and mastered the art of crapping 100$ dollar bills I would consider a few small drops of oil "engine bay rustproofing".
 
good point, but a fj62 does not have the smog pump under the PS pump, its the AC compressor I think.

chris777 said:
its a miracle your power steering pump isn't leaking, because that is a VERY common source of leaks on FJ60-62s.
I can't stand leaks and try my best to stay on top of them. Many leaks will sneak up on you and cause a catastrophe if you don't check the levels constantly.... AND... many leaks will also cause damage to all your rubber parts that are below or downstream from the leak.

for example: a leaky powersteering pump can be topped off once a week, then next thing you know, you are 200 miles from home, your smog pump has had enough of months of Power Steering fluid leaks, it freezes up, your belt burns up (the same one that powers the water pump), and you find yourself on the side of the road. You might be wise enough to have a full set of spare belts with you, but not many people have a spare smog pump with them. so you are stranded because of that slight leak in the power steering pump.

leaks are also bad for hoses, belts, and motor mounts. fix those leaks. I have a rear seal leak. but I am waiting for the day when I can get a 5 speed and kill 2 birds with one stone.
Click to expand...
 
if the rear main is leaking. you will have oil EVERYWHERE! and usually dripping all over. very messy in my experience.
im with everyone, so the other piddly stuff first and see what youve got.
once i took my jeep in to a shop and they came back with a ridiculous list of leaks. my favorite was my front crank seal. i mean i was looking right at it, dry as a bone. oh yah and my harmonic balancer was falling apart, hahahaa.

i do not trust any shop unless its been referenced to me. by actual patrons that know what they are talking about.
 
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