Total newb here, and I’m was checking my oil when I noticed what looks like a leak below the timing belt area. Inspected the area above it and around it but couldnt figure what the source could be. Help a land cruiser novice out! Thanks!
What’s leaking? 2000 100 series (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter bkcountrycruze
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Check below crankshaft pulley. If dry, then it is hose (power steering/ transmission cooling) that might be leaking at the connection you can see in the pic? If not under crank pulley is wet, it could be front crank seal. Are you low on PS, transmission, or oil?
- Thread starter
- #3
It’s dry below crankshaft pulley but looks like the two hoses coming out of PS fluid reservoir are leaking or weeping.
Thanks for your help!
Last edited:
Check if there is any leaking near this pipe clamp.
- Thread starter
- #5
I don’t see any leaking at the clamp. It looks like the whole black pipe is weeping from the reservoir to the one bare pipe.
Is there a known common leak at that clamp?
2001LC
SILVER Star
Looks like PS return line from/to rack leak. Not common to leak at that point. But often leak/weep further downstream, and travel down the line.
What I'd do, is remove skid plate #1 & #2. Get under there with a flashlight and camera w/flash on. Take pictures (tons of them) of every wet area. Study them. Take more if needed. Then wash with degreaser. Inspect again with camera, making sure perfectly clean of oils and gunk. Now drive. Re-inspect after each drive with a camera in hand. This helps pinpoint leaks and weeps starting point(s).
@ceylonfj40nut asked you about fluid levels. Note all. They can give further clues to what and where.
I'll get ahead of myself here, as most all aged LC/LX have power steering (PS) leaks, as rubber hoses age. But we don't yet know what leak/weep is. It could be your transmission cooler lines also. Or less likely one of the leak points in timing belt area. As fluid moves with gravity, air flow and expands. With oil it even climbs (capillary action).
PS hoses and lines most always need refreshing. I like starting at reservoir cleaning and flush PS system at time I replace hoses and lines.
We've two configuration. 98-02 & 03-07. Main difference if the return line at reservoir (smaller upper hose). 03 up Toyota sell us the return line portion between reservoir and cooler hard line at radiator support. Looks like you've a 98-02. Which Toyota only sell the entire HP & LP assembly and suction hose (large hose from bottom of reservoir to vane pump) . For that retune line reservoir side, I just use 3/8" transmission cooler hose and either OEM clamp or fuel line clamp.
forum.ih8mud.com
If you look in my Master Thread link below under Steering you'll find more info.
What I'd do, is remove skid plate #1 & #2. Get under there with a flashlight and camera w/flash on. Take pictures (tons of them) of every wet area. Study them. Take more if needed. Then wash with degreaser. Inspect again with camera, making sure perfectly clean of oils and gunk. Now drive. Re-inspect after each drive with a camera in hand. This helps pinpoint leaks and weeps starting point(s).
@ceylonfj40nut asked you about fluid levels. Note all. They can give further clues to what and where.
I'll get ahead of myself here, as most all aged LC/LX have power steering (PS) leaks, as rubber hoses age. But we don't yet know what leak/weep is. It could be your transmission cooler lines also. Or less likely one of the leak points in timing belt area. As fluid moves with gravity, air flow and expands. With oil it even climbs (capillary action).
PS hoses and lines most always need refreshing. I like starting at reservoir cleaning and flush PS system at time I replace hoses and lines.
We've two configuration. 98-02 & 03-07. Main difference if the return line at reservoir (smaller upper hose). 03 up Toyota sell us the return line portion between reservoir and cooler hard line at radiator support. Looks like you've a 98-02. Which Toyota only sell the entire HP & LP assembly and suction hose (large hose from bottom of reservoir to vane pump) . For that retune line reservoir side, I just use 3/8" transmission cooler hose and either OEM clamp or fuel line clamp.
Steering Flush & Cleaning
Cleaning power steering reservoir and flushing it's fluid. Keeps Vane pump and rack & pinion in top condition. These step will help you get, a better idea on how to. Power wash reservoir & hoses using a degreaser, before starting service. Makes for cleaner job. Repeat, once all done with...
forum.ih8mud.com
If you look in my Master Thread link below under Steering you'll find more info.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #7
Thanks for the info. I’ll give that all a check and read over. Thanks!Looks like PS return line from/to rack leak. Not common to leak at that point. But often leak/weep further downstream, and travel down the line.
What I'd do, is remove skid plate #1 & #2. Get under there with a flashlight and camera w/flash on. Take pictures (tons of them) of every wet area. Study them. Take more if needed. Then wash with degreaser. Inspect again with camera, making sure perfectly clean of oils and gunk. Now drive. Re-inspect after each drive with a camera in hand. This helps pinpoint leaks and weeps starting point(s).
@ceylonfj40nut asked you about fluid levels. Note all. They can give further clues to what and where.
I'll get ahead of myself here, as most all aged LC/LX have power steering (PS) leaks, as rubber hoses age. But we don't yet know what leak/weep is. It could be your transmission cooler lines also. Or less likely one of the leak points in timing belt area. As fluid moves with gravity, air flow and expands. With oil it even climbs (capillary action).
PS hoses and lines most always need refreshing. I like starting at reservoir cleaning and flush PS system at time I replace hoses and lines.
We've two configuration. 98-02 & 03-07. Main difference if the return line at reservoir (smaller upper hose). 03 up Toyota sell us the return line portion between reservoir and cooler hard line at radiator support. Looks like you've a 98-02. Which Toyota only sell the entire HP & LP assembly and suction hose (large hose from bottom of reservoir to vane pump) . For that retune line reservoir side, I just use 3/8" transmission cooler hose and either OEM clamp or fuel line clamp.
Steering Flush & Cleaning
Cleaning power steering reservoir and flushing it's fluid. Keeps Vane pump and rack & pinion in top condition. These step will help you get, a better idea on how to. Power wash reservoir & hoses using a degreaser, before starting service. Makes for cleaner job. Repeat, once all done with...
If you look in my Master Thread link below under Steering you'll find more info.
- Thread starter
- #8
Followed your advice and got pictures of all the wet spots and overview of the area, and then clean it all up with degreaser. Drove around our town for 30 minutes and it’s still dry as a bone, so I’ll keep checking after each drive if it starts leaking again.
I did notice another leak when I was under the truck and had both brush guards removed.
It’s looks like I have a rear main seal leak, if I’m correct on the area?
I did notice another leak when I was under the truck and had both brush guards removed.
It’s looks like I have a rear main seal leak, if I’m correct on the area?
2001LC
SILVER Star
Could be rear main. Could also be travel down from head cover(s) or both.
Here's one we're 90% sure a rear main leak. But it is also leaking front crank area, oil dipstick, head covers, oil filter housing, even the VVT actuators. Anywhere there's a rubber seal, it is leaking. It was run on HM oil for more than two changes. We've tried fresh oil and AT-205 about 5K ago. It looks like we've only slowed enough, that not seeing on garage floor.
His choices are: 1) Do nothing and see if slow more or doesn't get worse. 2) Go back to using HM oil, and see if slows more. Which will then need HM oil for life. 3) Complet reseal (costly). 4) swap engines (costly)
After cleaning and watching.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #10
Thanks for the info.
Found this thread with a lot of good info.
Rear main seal
I used Mobil 1 HM for the first oil change after purchase and didn’t notice a leak when I performed the oil change, but I did see a few people in the thread have had the same issue.
Found this thread with a lot of good info.
Rear main seal
I used Mobil 1 HM for the first oil change after purchase and didn’t notice a leak when I performed the oil change, but I did see a few people in the thread have had the same issue.
2001LC
SILVER Star
I purchase HM, once years ago. I posted it on mud, and was warned: It is like crack to your engine. I called Mobile at that time, actually called several times to talk to more than one rep. Got same info read to me each time. "If used use for 2 oil changes, must than be use for life of engine.
High Mileage oil is a bad name, IMO. We think; yeah that's my rig, must be good stuff for it. They should at least clearly state: "it is for "leaking old HM engines". That if it's use for 2 oil changes (which Mobile I is rated for 10K miles between oil change, with their filter).
My bet is, many have used HM oil in 4.7L. and that is leading cause of rear main leak. In each I have seen leak (not many). We did find HM was used. Typically I just don't see these (HM oil used) leak at just rear main, but multiple points. Some here in mud reported. butt don't know what oil used, as they don't have great detail on oil history. But if always serviced at a Toyota or Lexus dealership, we know they don't use HM around here. I inspect about 40 or 50 4.7L each year... Rear main leak is just not common. I've inspected up to 23 yrs olds, up to 370K miles.
Leaks from use of high mileage oil (HM) does not happen right after you add in the HM oil, nor subsequent oil changes if HM used continuously used. According to Mobile 1 reps. They happen once HM no longer used. With longer term use of HM, seal may eventually be damage and leak even when continuously used, IDK.
HM oil has a petroleum based seal modifier added to it, that swells seals. Eventually leading to damaged seals, or so I've been told. If one has a leaky Chrysler or what-have-you. Go for it, as HM is cheaper than adding AT-205 (plasticizer).
4.7L, don't often leak with few exception points. Head covers often leak, unless retorqued. Oil dipstick O-ring weep. Other engine leak points, tend to be after some event. Like HM oil, or a seal replacement or lack of follow factory recommendation. One very common leak is after a timing belt service, is the tension assy bolt. Threads from that bolt not being sealed as factory recommends, will leak.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #12
What oil do you prefer to use?
2001LC
SILVER Star
Moil One 5W-30 and OEM filter every 5k miles. Or Mobil One EP. EP is annually, 20K miles / 1 yr (earlier of) protection, that must be use w/Mobil One filter..
Imo HM doesn’t cause leaks. When you change oil (additive packages) it can expose seals that are at end of life that likely need to be replaced anyway, with the “conditioners” that it includes. If you change away from that and your seal dries up, then yes, you are going to get a leak.
My head gasket covers at 200k def leaked when I changed to M1 high mileage (from Valvoline high mileage synthetic blend), after a mild panic I checked the torque on the covers and I could remove the screws with my fingers after re-torquing the leaking went away. Do I need new head gasket cover seals? Probably. Did the engine oil cause the leak? I did change high mileage formulation, but that’s likely a cause of old seals rather than the oil. It’s been two oil changes since, no leaks (knocks on wood)
Sorry, we hijacked the thread to talk motor oil
My head gasket covers at 200k def leaked when I changed to M1 high mileage (from Valvoline high mileage synthetic blend), after a mild panic I checked the torque on the covers and I could remove the screws with my fingers after re-torquing the leaking went away. Do I need new head gasket cover seals? Probably. Did the engine oil cause the leak? I did change high mileage formulation, but that’s likely a cause of old seals rather than the oil. It’s been two oil changes since, no leaks (knocks on wood)
Sorry, we hijacked the thread to talk motor oil
- Thread starter
- #15
No worries, I asked him about it so it’s on topic. Thanks for your input
