Another Leak - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Coupa6 · 02-12-2009, 10:01 AM

Ok I'm stump as of now and can not figure out my oil leak problem. Its leaking somewhere from the driver, at least it seem. I thought it was my oil pan however it seem to be dripping down from a upper location. So far I did my front and rear main seal, t-belt, and water pump. I don't think it the distributor o ring because it is dry, however I heard there might be a hose or something near the fire wall. Anyone has a clue,

Gen 3 5spd 4cyl

***96paseo*** · 02-13-2009, 12:38 AM

A good way to find oil leaks is to get a couple of cans of chlorine-free parts cleaner. Spray down all the oil soaked areas until clean. Start the car and watch for leaks.

GPER · 02-13-2009, 05:19 PM

I still have the same problem, I replaced the valve cover gasket and it is dry there now. I'm still loosing oil from the back side of the 4 cylinder. I got a Hanyes manual today and don't see anything else but the fuel system back there. So what else is back there that leaks??????

Coupa6 · 02-13-2009, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPER

I still have the same problem, I replaced the valve cover gasket and it is dry there now. I'm still loosing oil from the back side of the 4 cylinder. I got a Hanyes manual today and don't see anything else but the fuel system back there. So what else is back there that leaks??????

Someone told me that the head gasket could be leaking. I really don't think that the problem however? I will try to look for it again in the morning.

Where are all the TN experts at? I have been searching the forum and really have gotten now where with this. I know some else out there had this problem before

Andrew Liu · 02-13-2009, 07:32 PM

The valve cover gasket itself could be leaking too.

You didn't say that you replaced that, so i'm assuming it could be the problem.

Coupa6 · 02-13-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Liu

The valve cover gasket itself could be leaking too.

You didn't say that you replaced that, so i'm assuming it could be the problem.

Yeah I did that too, I'm going to double check because it might have not sealed right but I'm pretty sure it did

Coupa6 · 02-14-2009, 06:53 PM

Ok I'm still trying to trouble shoot this leak.

Heres what I have found; its leaking from the top somewhere and it drips on the flex pipe. Its also covering the oil pan only on the rearside. The two hose that run into my heater core are also getting soak. My question is what is in that area that is know to cause this type of leak.

1996camry · 02-14-2009, 07:31 PM

when was the last time you had your timebelt changed? the oil leaks come from the rear oil pan (on the passenger where the timebelt is)..the oil leaks come from you oil pump gasket seals inside the timebelt, your crankseal is prompt to oil leaks, and crankseal, too. if you have remember when you have your last timebelt replaced, did you replaced the crankseal and camseal and oil pump seals....

if see oil leaks rear locate on the passenger side (right wheel), those leaks come from your oil pump seals and crank seals inside the timebelt.

my 96 Toyota had the similiar leaks, then i have replaced all when the timebelt was done work on it.. now, the leaks was gone...

first, i thought it was oil pan leaks....i fixed it, the leaks still there...so i wait until i got the timebelt done...i replaced all those mention above..the leaks it gone, now.

i assume you don't have leaks on your covergasket...

300kmi97camry · 02-14-2009, 08:32 PM

Here's a dumb question. When installing the seals which way do they go in? Does the the spring stay on the outside or inside?

Coupa6 · 02-14-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1996camry

when was the last time you had your timebelt changed? the oil leaks come from the rear oil pan (on the passenger where the timebelt is)..the oil leaks come from you oil pump gasket seals inside the timebelt, your crankseal is prompt to oil leaks, and crankseal, too. if you have remember when you have your last timebelt replaced, did you replaced the crankseal and camseal and oil pump seals....

if see oil leaks rear locate on the passenger side (right wheel), those leaks come from your oil pump seals and crank seals inside the timebelt.

my 96 Toyota had the similiar leaks, then i have replaced all when the timebelt was done work on it.. now, the leaks was gone...

first, i thought it was oil pan leaks....i fixed it, the leaks still there...so i wait until i got the timebelt done...i replaced all those mention above..the leaks it gone, now.

i assume you don't have leaks on your covergasket...

Sorry the leak is on the driver sider, and I changed all the main + rear seal and timing belt, water pump, valve cover. Yes I did seal them right way.

finfinder · 02-14-2009, 09:26 PM

Unfortunately the 2.2 leaks like a bitch when it gets in that mood. Mine started leaking after about 120k miles. I eventually had just about all the seals changed to stop it. Cam seals , oil pump seals , I changed all that left side stuff. That stopped most of the leaks.

Triple check the valve cover gasket. I changed mine twice and it still leaked. I finally had my mechanic put some RTV on that mother to make sure it stayed sealed. I can't think of much on the driver side except the distributor O ring and the Oil switch. You may have to clean the engine on that side and check the day after.

gergo · 02-15-2009, 01:30 AM

I had a similar leak on my '96. Eventhough it seemed to be leaking from the vicinity of the rear main seal it actually was the distributor o-ring. I've replaced mine twice since 1996.

projectSXV20 · 02-15-2009, 01:44 AM

Could be the transmission pan gasket. (Just got mine replaced for 200). Sucks.

malayan · 02-17-2009, 03:50 AM

I had simular prob with 94 Camry.

It leaked like a constant dripping while at idle..

I started at the top and pulled the valve cover gasket because I could look up while the car was on the ramps that some drips were obvious at the intake manufold curves. After I sealed the gasket with silicone NO MORE WET SPOTS UP THERE. but still leaking.

Then I pulled the distributor and oil was EVERYWHERE. I cleaned eveything off and siliconed the shaft in place (making sure to put the dist back exactly in the same spot for timing). THIS STOPPED 90% of the rest of the leak.

Found that now I had only one drip every 60 seconds from what seemed like the rear main but was dripped down the belhousing rear side tothe lower most point of the belhousing then dripping straight down onto the floor.
I would hold a rag up higher on the belhousing near the oilpan and it quit. I would figure if it was the rear main seal (in between the tranny and engine) it would run straight down from the seal on the rear block to the bottom most part of the insode of the belhousing and would see oil coming from the inside of the belhousing >>RIGHT?

Well I went ahead and installed a new oil pan gasket and it is still leaking.
I cleaned the whole engine and there is nothing coming from above and is nice and dry. All the hoses under the distributor are dry too.

Is there an oil sending unit or something I am missing or could the rear main be splashing back from the movement of the flywheel to the rear and then running down . I cold almost swear that the inside of the belhousing was nice and dry when I had the dust plate off while doing the oil pan.

The galley where the speedo cable comes up from is dry too.

Front of engine (pass side) dry. Car just passed DEQ Emission no prob.

Having my mechanic put it on his high car lift to get a better look.

I will keep you posted.

***96paseo*** · 02-17-2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

when was the last time you had your timebelt changed? the oil leaks come from the rear oil pan (on the passenger where the timebelt is)..the oil leaks come from you oil pump gasket seals inside the timebelt, your crankseal is prompt to oil leaks, and crankseal, too. if you have remember when you have your last timebelt replaced, did you replaced the crankseal and camseal and oil pump seals....

This was all in the first post.

Replacing the oil pump rotor shaft and o-ring seals are by far the most important. This is usually where the worst leaks originate. The camshaft and crankshaft seals will leak but not nearly as bad as the oil pump.

Quote:

Triple check the valve cover gasket. I changed mine twice and it still leaked. I finally had my mechanic put some RTV on that mother to make sure it stayed sealed. I can't think of much on the driver side except the distributor O ring and the Oil switch. You may have to clean the engine on that side and check the day after

There are 8 points on the mating surface that need RTV to seal properly. The points are at the intake camshaft journals and next to the exhaust camshaft journals on both sides of the head.

Quote:

Then I pulled the distributor and oil was EVERYWHERE. I cleaned eveything off and siliconed the shaft in place (making sure to put the dist back exactly in the same spot for timing). THIS STOPPED 90% of the rest of the leak.

There should be an o-ring to seal the distributor driveshaft. Putting silicone on something that rotates could cause problems down the road. Also would make it hard to rotate the cap to adjust the timing. If the bottom of the trans case is wet but the bellhousing is dry inside, take a close look at the output shaft seals on the differential and the fluid lines(if its an auto).