1999 Camry CE oil leak

[sleepy18723]

I don't know too much about cars. I know it is leaking. It is a small leakage, not major. But i want to get it fixed.

I placed some color dye into the engine oil and most of the build up was where the engine oil pan is, near the drain plug. However, after cleaning it up with brake cleaners, I cannot find the leak.

This was probably due to driving while the dye was in and it probably splattered every where.

I brought it to Autozone and one of the reps stated it was power steering fluid. I asked him to check under the car.
He then stated it was leaking from the oil pan gasket.

So before I do anything. I would like some input from anyone who knows what they are doin or had experience with something similiar.

I would also like to ask if I can remove the oil pan by simply removing the nuts and bolts or do i need to remove the
fender apron seal, under cover and the front exhaust pipe bracket from the oil pan.

Thank you and have a blessed day.

[tacosteelersman]

V6 or 4 cylinder? How do you know it is leaking, how often do you have to add oil? I ask because my parents 1MZ-FE V6 catches oil in the front engine mount during oil changes, it then it slowly leaks all over the oil pan and exhaust. Without really looking at the source it looks like a pan leak..

[sleepy18723]

Originally Posted by tacosteelersman

V6 or 4 cylinder? How do you know it is leaking, how often do you have to add oil? I ask because my parents 1MZ-FE V6 catches oil in the front engine mount during oil changes, it then it slowly leaks all over the oil pan and exhaust. Without really looking at the source it looks like a pan leak..

I don't add oil much. I check the dip stick once in a while and when it's near or on low, I add oil to top it off. I know it is leaking because i see drips wherever I park, mainly in my driveway, it is extremely noticeable. I haven't change oil since the last time and it keeps dripping. I placed DYE into the engine oil and the dye shows under the car, where the oil pan is.

[tacosteelersman]

The most conclusive way that I know to find an oil leak is to degrease the engine with a cleaner, then do the dye trick but no driving. If you have to sit in one place and rev the engine to make it leak, do so. The more you drive the car the more that wind will hide the leak orgin.

[carsrus]

How many miles? If your nearing time for a timing belt its probably your oil pump seals. The timing side seals(cam,crank and oil pump) tend to leak and slowly go down the side of the engine and drip onto the oil pan. It can easily be mistaken for the oil pan gasket.

If your due for a timing belt soon just get it all changed.

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by tacosteelersman

The most conclusive way that I know to find an oil leak is to degrease the engine with a cleaner, then do the dye trick but no driving. If you have to sit in one place and rev the engine to make it leak, do so. The more you drive the car the more that wind will hide the leak orgin.

+1 Degrease it and check where you can see the dye. If its a leak coming from the Valve cover or above the pan, it could be leaking down to the pan and dripping off.