Oil leak from intake manifold? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

scribby · 04-28-2007, 12:07 AM

I have been trying to find out where this oil leak was coming from for quite some time, I've replaced the valve cover gasket recently and I've noticed that the oil seems to be coming from the top of the intake manifold where it joins to the head.

Just to make sure before I go taking everything apart to get too it, can oil leak from the intake manifold? or should I be looking elsewhere?

Also has anyone any tips on getting it off? looks pretty hard and I'm going to have to remove a fair bit to get too the bolts.

***toyomoho*** · 04-28-2007, 01:56 AM

I take it this is an I4 engine. There should not be any oil in the intake manifold. Did you torque down the valve cover? The gasket needs some snugging down when installing.

scribby · 04-28-2007, 02:32 AM

Oh yeah forgot to mention its a 3SFE, 1990. With nearly 300,000KM.
Im 100% its not coming from the valve cover, I have checked all around it.

***toyomoho*** · 04-28-2007, 02:42 AM

What else is in the area. Fittings, sensors, distributor, etc.

scribby · 04-28-2007, 03:49 AM

Fuel Injectors are above it, and thats it..

fredk · 04-28-2007, 10:07 AM

clean it all off with brake clean and let it dry off and start it up and find it with a flashlite

scribby · 04-28-2007, 10:09 PM

I've done that twise since I've got the car, I think I need to take a few photos..
I really don't see what else it could be all there is above the intake manifold is the fuel rail and the injectors?

scribby · 04-29-2007, 12:01 AM

Well after searching a bit more and taking photos I think the oil leak is coming from around the bottom of the timing belt area, is this where is the oil pump is? I'm going to give it all a really good clean and try and find out where its all coming from...

scribby · 04-29-2007, 12:06 AM

Heres a pic from under the car looking at the bottom of the timing belt cover.

88 LE · 04-29-2007, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scribby

Well after searching a bit more and taking photos I think the oil leak is coming from around the bottom of the timing belt area, is this where is the oil pump is?

The oil pump is at the bottom.

Looking at your pic, I would say oil pump and/or front main seal.

scribby · 04-29-2007, 05:09 AM

Well I've given it a good squirt with degreaser and hosed it all down, it was all wet so I couldn't get under the car to see if I actually got it all off but I'm pretty sure I would have.

I will have a look and take some new photos tommorow and see if its coming from the oil pump. My oil pressure light comes on for around 6 seconds every start up? is this normal or should it only be on for less?

Where abouts is the front main seal?

Also I noticed this bar wasnt screwed onto the intake manifold.. Should it be?

88 LE · 04-29-2007, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scribby

Where abouts is the front main seal?

It goes around the crankshaft, behind the oil pump.

Quote:

Also I noticed this bar wasnt screwed onto the intake manifold.. Should it be?

That bar (brace) should be attached (bolt) to the intake manifold.

scribby · 04-29-2007, 07:05 AM

Ive attached the brace now, its dark but I had a quick look and it appers there is some oil leaking from inside the timing belt cover as well as around the oil pump so i'm gussing both oil pump seals are leaking.

Highlighted in red where the oil appears to be coming from..

What I dont understand is that there is still oil above the intake manifold, like its also leaking from there, its really odd.

fredk · 04-29-2007, 03:19 PM

welcome to the club, they all leak, i am doing mine asap

scribby · 04-29-2007, 08:29 PM

Yeah Its been leaking since I bought the car 3 months ago, so figured it was about time to hunt down the leak. I have been losing around 1ltr of oil per 400km traveled so I basically have to buy a 5ltr bottle of oil every two weeks.