Finally found the source of my oil leak...would this be a valve gasket leak?
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Finally found the source of my oil leak...would this be a valve gasket leak?
After a few posts of trying to understand where oil could be leaking from, I decided to get back under my car today and take a better look around. I thought the rear main seal was leaking, because the oil would drip down the side of the bell housing and hit the ground. I checked the rear main seal gasket and it seemed fine.
I looked up towards the top, and there sat the puddle, underneath the exhaust manifold (the one closest to the firewall).
As you can see in the pic, it's directly underneath the manifold. The top looks typically dirty, but I don't see any actual leaks above the manifolds.
Would this be a valve cover leak? What would this typically cost to fix on one of these cars? Thanks
I looked up towards the top, and there sat the puddle, underneath the exhaust manifold (the one closest to the firewall).
As you can see in the pic, it's directly underneath the manifold. The top looks typically dirty, but I don't see any actual leaks above the manifolds.
Would this be a valve cover leak? What would this typically cost to fix on one of these cars? Thanks
#2
Is the rear main seal really a gasket? How did you check that without removing the transmission? From what you showed me, it looked like the rear main seal is leaking. I suppose it could be your valve cover, but they typically don't drip oil this badly. If it is the VCG, they aren't that difficult or expensive to do. You're going to need to look up the procedure before you do it though to find out what parts you'll need. You'll probably need camshaft seals at the same time.
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Is the rear main seal really a gasket? How did you check that without removing the transmission? From what you showed me, it looked like the rear main seal is leaking. I suppose it could be your valve cover, but they typically don't drip oil this badly. If it is the VCG, they aren't that difficult or expensive to do. You're going to need to look up the procedure before you do it though to find out what parts you'll need. You'll probably need camshaft seals at the same time.
#6
Racer
most definitely leaky valve cover gasket. Also replace the squish washers on the covers.
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Yes I think that's the culprit. I was reading another thread however, and someone mentioned the valve cover bolts coming loose. I decided to check and all I can say is all 4 on the exhaust side were pretty damn loose...the one in the corner closest to the firewall was so loose I could tighten it with my hand. I tightened all 4 bolts on the exhaust side, and whichever ones I could hit on the opposite side.
I don't think it's a coincidence that the leak is coming directly from where the loosest bolts were...
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#8
Racer
Dubstatus, while you're at it ... get new valve cover screws and PROPERLY torque them. I can tell why you're leaking! Those are improper bolts and most likely extremely overtightened causing a serious leak. You need new seals, washers and screws.
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I see what you mean...but the bolts were very loose and I tightened them by hand. Anyways, it's still leaking. How will overtightening the valve cover bolts cause it too leak?
#10
Racer
Toyota designed the washers, valve cover gasket and the properly applied torque to work together. Overtorqueing them causes the gasket to malfunction.
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