89 Wagon needs diagnosis!

[89toyotawagon]

Hi. I am new to this forum. Any help would be appreciated. I have an 89 Toyota Camry wagon. I purchased used in 97. It has 180,000 miles and has had numerous repairs along the way. I have had a persistent oil leak/drip that no one including the dealership have been able to remedy.

The symptoms:
When the car is turned off (for the first time after running awhile), oil will leak/drip for a minute or two in one spot, developing a one inch diameter "puddle". The drip eventually stops. If I restart, drive, and stop again the drip will continue but significantly less. That first stop is the worse.

What has been done:
Oil pump seal, crank seal, oil seal, valve cover gasket, dist o-ring, and trans pan gasket.

Now the engine was covered in oil so they steam cleaned it (it looks much better) to identify the leak (with a dye I believe). The valve cover gasket was the last thing replaced and was probably very overdue.

Is it possible that oil has accumulated over the years on the engine and is dripping off once heated?

Or is there something more dire related to the engine that I should have investigated?

I am not very mechanical to say the least. So if you could give it to me in layman's terms I would greatly appreciate the input. Thanks in advance.

--RJ

[toyomoho]

Can you reconcile the location of the drip on the floor with location on the engine? Front, back, drivers, passenger side.

Are you sure it is engine oil and not trans or PS fluid?

Can you ascertain if the leak is high or low on the engine by the following the oil trail?

The engine or other components may be heating up over time, the result being less leakage.

Do not know where the oil would store up, if possible.

[89toyotawagon]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

Can you reconcile the location of the drip on the floor with location on the engine? Front, back, drivers, passenger side.

Are you sure it is engine oil and not trans or PS fluid?

Can you ascertain if the leak is high or low on the engine by the following the oil trail?

The engine or other components may be heating up over time, the result being less leakage.

Do not know where the oil would store up, if possible.

I'm going to take a few pics tomorrow during the day.
The drip seems to be coming from the back side of the engine towards the driver's side. Its hard to tell where though. I cant get a good look at it.

I have had a few mechanics look at it fix some seals and then the drip continues. I thought for sure the valve cover seal would do the trick.

The car did overheat a couple years ago and I had the radiator replaced. I have read on other posts that this can cause a leak as well?

Thanks,
RJ

[TBayToyotaBoy]

After all the time and money you've put into this, maybe you would be willing to consider leaving well enough alone? The leak doesn't sound too bad (all of my Yotas have leaks, but they're minor), and you have to remember that driving an older car entails some small embarassments from time to time.

That said, if you're really gung-ho about tracking this leak down, consider the possibility that it's a rear main seal leak. That definitely would not be worth fixing...but it would explain a leak on the driver's side of the engine (and you've already said you replaced the distributor o-ring so that's rulede out).

[Doctor J]

Is it 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder?

[89toyotawagon]

Originally Posted by Doctor J

Is it 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder?

It's a 4 cyl.

[malayan]

If you leave the car running at idle does the engine leak or does it only leak after turned off.
Also; I am assuming this is an autmatic.

[Doctor J]

Among other things please check the oil pressure switch (88 and early 89) models have it leaking inside the protective boot around the terminal

[89toyotawagon]

Originally Posted by malayan

If you leave the car running at idle does the engine leak or does it only leak after turned off.
Also; I am assuming this is an autmatic.

It does leak when idling but not as much.

And yes it is an automatic.

[89toyotawagon]

Originally Posted by Doctor J

Among other things please check the oil pressure switch (88 and early 89) models have it leaking inside the protective boot around the terminal

I apologize, but where is that located?

Also, here are some pictures. I included a wider shot and closeups.

Thank you.

[Doctor J]

The leak is motor oil possible sources:
head gasket near water outlet corner;
distributor body O-ring;
rear main seal.
On my car the first is the source, common thing on 3 SFE, but it does not leaks that much like you are describing.
If you are facing the car with the hood open the oil pressure switch is located on the front right corner of cylinder head 3 inches below the engine lifting hook.

[Kep]

If you peer down past the distributor you will see the top of the transmission. Is there a pool of oil on the top of the transmission? This isn't conclusive but it would be good information. When my distributor O-ring failed it allowed oil to pool up there.

Kep

[89toyotawagon]

Originally Posted by Kep

If you peer down past the distributor you will see the top of the transmission. Is there a pool of oil on the top of the transmission? This isn't conclusive but it would be good information. When my distributor O-ring failed it allowed oil to pool up there.

Kep

Funny you should suggest that. I did notice some oil gathered in that are along with some dried up gunk. I tried cleaning it the best I could...

[89toyotawagon]

Originally Posted by Doctor J

The leak is motor oil possible sources:
head gasket near water outlet corner;
distributor body O-ring;
rear main seal.
On my car the first is the source, common thing on 3 SFE, but it does not leaks that much like you are describing.
If you are facing the car with the hood open the oil pressure switch is located on the front right corner of cylinder head 3 inches below the engine lifting hook.

Thanks I gonna look into some more when I get time this week...

[TBayToyotaBoy]

For your sake I hope it's the dist o-ring and not the rear main. The cost difference to fix each problem is enormous.