Oil Leak Issues (1 Viewer)

[leoandgrauce]

Hey all-

I'm definitely not a mechanic but thought I'd check in with some other FJ80 owners on a leak that I/we cannot seem to stop. Oil is accumulating on the ledge right behind where the drivebelt idler pulley is located. My technician replaced the oil pump cover o-ring and front main crankshaft seal but oil is reforming in that area after that work is done. Technician doesn't think it's the head gasket.

1997 FJ80

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Aloha Jen]

Maybe see if it’s leaking from the bottom of the distributor. Fairly common when the internal seal starts to fail I think. This was mine:

 

[leoandgrauce]

Maybe see if it’s leaking from the bottom of the distributor. Fairly common when the internal seal starts to fail I think. This was mine:
View attachment 3837968

Will do, thanks Jen

 

[Aloha Jen]

Or, I believe that pully bolt is supposed to have some FIPG sealant on the end threads as well.

 

[leoandgrauce]

Or, I believe that pully bolt is supposed to have some FIPG sealant on the end threads as well.

For clarification, the idler pulley?

 

[BILT4ME]

Distributor O-ring for sure, not the internal O-ring.
Must pull the distributor to replace.
You cannot replace the internal O-ring.

Easy fix.

Pull battery
Pull battery tray
Remove distributor cap
Mark location of rotor
Mark location of adjustment nut
Pull distributor
Remove old O-ring
Clean up area
Install new O-ring with oil on it
Install distributor so the rotor is in exactly the same place as when you started when the adjustment bolt is also in the exact same place.
Tighten it down
Install the cap, battery box, battery, and fire it up.

Absolutely do not rotate the engine for any reason once the distributor is removed or you will have to start over at TDC.

This can be done under 2 hours.

 

[Aloha Jen]

My leak is from the internal o-ring, and weeps from the little hole on the bottom. It’s very minor, so I’m just living with it for now. A new o-ring on the distributor shaft did not fix my leak in the photo.

 

[Kernal]

If the leak turns out not to be from the distributor O-ring another possible source of oil sitting on top of the oil pump cover IME is from the timing cover immediately above the oil pump cover.

Been discussed before:

Oil leak location

Hello all So I just replaced my distributor O-Ring -oil pump seal, front crank shaft seal, valve cover. Is this oil ontop of my housing coming from my oil pump cover or somewhere up top? Thanks

forum.ih8mud.com

Here's a couple of photos from that thread (stolen from other threads).

The theory is that the timing cover O-ring (see photo showing backside of the timing cover) develops a slight leak/seep
and the oil comes out at the pry point just next to that O-ring (see photo, red arrow):

One fix is to super clean the pry point, remove all oil, grime build-up (using picks and Q tips) and along the mating surfaces then stuff a sealant/FIPG into that area. This took an hour easily as it's difficult to work in that area with everything in place. Easier if that area is already apart (alternator, belts, etc removed). Worked for me on two FZJ80's. IMO the area needs to be squeaky clean using a rubber safe degreaser (I used mostly Electronics cleaner with some final wipes using acetone). I would not use Brake/Carb cleaner blasted into that area as they theoretically might damage that O-ring which may already be leaking. FWIW

 

[leoandgrauce]

If the leak turns out not to be from the distributor O-ring another possible source of oil sitting on top of the oil pump cover IME is from the timing cover immediately above the oil pump cover.

Been discussed before:

Oil leak location

Hello all So I just replaced my distributor O-Ring -oil pump seal, front crank shaft seal, valve cover. Is this oil ontop of my housing coming from my oil pump cover or somewhere up top? Thanks

forum.ih8mud.com

Here's a couple of photos from that thread (stolen from other threads).

The theory is that the timing cover O-ring (see photo showing backside of the timing cover) develops a slight leak/seep
and the oil comes out at the pry point just next to that O-ring (see photo, red arrow):

View attachment 3838185

View attachment 3838186


One fix is to super clean the pry point, remove all oil, grime build-up (using picks and Q tips) and along the mating surfaces then stuff a sealant/FIPG into that area. This took an hour easily as it's difficult to work in that area with everything in place. Easier if that area is already apart (alternator, belts, etc removed). Worked for me on two FZJ80's. IMO the area needs to be squeaky clean using a rubber safe degreaser (I used mostly Electronics cleaner with some final wipes using acetone). I would not use Brake/Carb cleaner blasted into that area as they theoretically might damage that O-ring which may already be leaking. FWIW

Thanks again on this, appears this might be the leakage area..What brand of FIPG and degreaser did you use?

 

[Kernal]

"What brand of FIPG and degreaser did you use?" (for the leak between the timing chain and the the block at the pry point, see post above)

Any oil resistant RTV sealant designed for automotive engines. Toyota Seal Packing 103 FIPG (form in place gasket), Permatex Ultra Grey/Black, or Optimum,
take your pick.

Any degreasing detergent or mild solvent if used on a rag or paper towels. IME Acetone or Toluene are too aggressive on old rubber or FIPG. It took some time to clean it by hand using small picks and Q-tips to get all traces of oil and grime out of the pry point and around the seam between the timing chain cover and the block before applying the FIPG by stuffing it into the pry point and along the seam, waiting for it to set a bit, then another layer, etc,etc No leaks after five years now.

 

[clx16]

My leak is from the internal o-ring, and weeps from the little hole on the bottom. It’s very minor, so I’m just living with it for now. A new o-ring on the distributor shaft did not fix my leak in the photo.

You might try this. It worked for me and a few others. 97 Distributor Oil Leak - internal seal replacement How To - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/97-distributor-oil-leak-internal-seal-replacement-how-to.1281296/