3.4 V6....found a problem.....help needed...

Yep, i was under the hood the other day, and noticed a possible oil leak.....:confused:

Its right around the oil filler cap area, and i checked the oil....and noticed it had a slight hint of gas to it.......NOT GOOD......wat could this be....??

is this a common problem with these trucks?

heres a few pics of the problem...

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg88/hartzog69/P7070221.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg88/hartzog69/P7070222.jpg

At first look, it appears that whoever (maybe you) spilled some oil on the valve cover during your last oil change.

If that is not the case, then put a socket on the valve cover bolts and see how tight they are (mine were VERY loose). You might be due to change the valve cover gaskets which I did a few weeks ago and has fixed my problem.

One other common area that might be leaking is the back side of the valve covers closest to the firewall. When the engine is cool, rub your clean rag back there and see if you have oil. If so, then you probably have oil dripping down the back.

Hope this helps.

That's so embarrassing. Could at least clean that engine before taking picture.

That's so embarrassing. Could at least clean that engine before taking picture.

:lol: wouldn't want to clean the oil stain off though, now would we?

You pretty sure your oil smells like gas?

It looks like you missed when adding some oil... :) Don't worry it happens to all of us. I call it chassis lubrication.

^thought about sayin' that myself :D

:lol: wouldn't want to clean the oil stain off though, now would we?

You pretty sure your oil smells like gas?


yes, the oil has a smell of gas to it, i thought it did, so i had about 5 other people smell it, all said gas, i am goin to change the oil soon, and then drive it about 100-400 miles and re-check it

will also check all valve cover bolts etc.

Did you check yer PCV valve lately? ;)

How good of a condition are those injectors? Yes...even the cold start one...

What's yer cylinder pressures running? How good is that fuel economy doing? Did you ever replace those spark plugs yet?

well pretty much anything in your car except the gas smelling like gas is always kind of a big deal, so after you change i really hope you don't notice it again

Did you check yer PCV valve lately? ;)

How good of a condition are those injectors? Yes...even the cold start one...

What's yer cylinder pressures running? How good is that fuel economy doing? Did you ever replace those spark plugs yet?


where is the PCV valve??

i have been un-able to check my mileage lately, cause i never have the money to fill it completely up, lol
and idk about the cylinder pressures, but yes, i put new sparkplugs and wires on it, and also cleaned out the intake box, new airfilter.

and btw, the check engine light isnt on, but i took dash out even, to make sure somebody hasnt tooken the bulb out before

The PCV valve is located on the top of the driver's side valve cover towards the front of the truck. There is a rubber hose connected to it and to remove it just pull. I bought a replacement and a new gasket and it took just a few minutes to replace.

My gasket was dry rotted and I had to cut it out. Learn from my mistake and know that the old hard gasket may fall into the valve cover (which happened to me). If you have to cut out the rubber gasket, have a pair of needle nose plyers handy to hold onto the gasket or you'll spend time fishing it out.

sounds like somethin i better wait to mess with, as i have about $4 to my name at the moment, lol

You could pull it and check it...if it's gunked up...at least you might be able to clean it with some degreaser/cleaner/acetone. Just don't use and gasoline!! ;)

lol bam, did i mention......i checked valve cover bolts, adn they were pretty loose, but didnt look it, so everyone with the 3.4L V6, check your valve cover bolts!!

I guess the "loose" valve bolts are common....I could have taken my covers off with no tools, just my fingers to loosen the bolts. No wonder I had oil leaking down the back of my engine!

I know on the 22re the valve cover bolts are only supposed to be tight enough to slightly squish the grommets, 4-5 ft/lbs (I think 54 in/lbs is the exact spec). Is this true for the 5vz as well? Just out of curiosity...

As the 5VZFE doesn't have any grommets...the torque specs on the valve cover bolts are 53 in/lbs. They should be tightened evenly in several passes. :D

Ah gotcha. Same torque spec either way.

oil around the cap is like poop on the bum: all it means is someone doesn't wipe properly.

Gas in the oil means that gas is washing down your cylinder walls. Even on engines with strong compression unignighted fuel can make it by the rings. Happens all of the time on carbureted motorcycles - the carb is gravity fed, and open just slightly for idle. Unless it's a CV carb, just sitting with the fuel turned on gas will wash down the cylinders and foul your oil.

So, as usual, I think Bam is spot on. Change your oil, the problem may be in your head. Do you make a lot of short trips? do you sometimes start the vehicle and abruptly shut it off? enough of that behavior on an aging system could cause the symptoms without a real big problem. If you get the problem again badly, Then start with your fuel system, then ignition system, and then start thinking about big problems. Of course, it's a good idea to do a compression and leak down test immediately - they're a cheap way to eliminate a lot of worries.

On a last note... get a torque wrench and make sure you only torqued the bolts to spec. 53 inch-lbs is not very tight. They could have easily seemed loose and now they're over tight.

Believe it or not...there's a gasket on that oil filler cap (http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/p_U_1998_TOYOTA_T100_VCK11L-CRSSKA_1104.3.html?hl=12108A). It's probably bad...you can replace it fer about $2. ;)

Part number 90430-37140

From ToyotaPartSales.com
OEM Catalog
Item Number MSRP Core Price Price
9043037140 $1.94 $0.00 $1.52

GASKET