Oilllllllll Problemmm Leaking Helpppp

[Toyotaxtreamteam]

ok heres the small problems guys, well theres been one almost every week lol, i have a small oil leak from the front of the passanger side, its hiting around oil pan but looks as it may be coming from the top and leaking down, i had the car running and can't notice anything coming out of anywhere, well its very small and until i tackle it is it safe to use the stuff to stop engine oil leaks or not, i did it in my gfs car once and it worked hasn't leaked to this day so any of you ever try that

[MKivSupra_Rob]

check the screws holding on the valve cover, mine unscrew themselves every week.

[Toyotaxtreamteam]

the screws or bolts

[turbo4toy]

Sometimes if you're lucky it'll leak down into your spark plug holes as well.

[Maroon88]

Sounds like it may be a camshaft oil seal. They are not too difficult to replace but you have to remove the timing components from the head. I don't think oil sealers will help as it is on a moving part.You could do this in an afternoon and minimal $ in parts.

[dcrusupra]

My guess is that the valve cover seals are leaking. And there are 6 phillips head screws that are holding each valve cover on. Be careful when taking these off. They are aluminum so they will strip easily. Or just dremel a deep line for a flat head screw driver and buy new allen key ones.

[supraman7mgte]

Gunk it! Then see where it leaks. Lay down a piece of card-board under the car and check it a few hours later

[supramacist]

What ever you decide to do about the leak......., make sure to keep an eye on your oil level. You should check it whenever you get gas, at minimum. My supra doesn't leave the drive without getting it checked daily, when it's running. Oh and don't use the sealer shit. Find the leak and fix it right. The sealer is a temp. fix at best.

[Toyotaxtreamteam]

i think i may found it , i looked st the screws on the valve cover and yep there loose as hell, i just tightened them one of them is a little stripped so i didnt wana crank the shit out of it, gona get a new one but where can i get one and what size is it, hopefully this helps the leak,

btw how do they get that loose it wasnt even a bit tight

[supramacist]

1, I would go to a bolt and screw place. I would not go to lowes or home depot. 2, As far as how do they get lose........, I'm not sure. engine vibration would be my first guess.

[Toyotaxtreamteam]

um put them in tighten them and guess wat still a leak damn, um do you think the valve cover gasket went to shit because they were lose, and i still aint sure its coming from there but its stil drip-----------drip----------
its not really bad like i checked the oil level and it was still pretty close to full so if it leaks i guess i will wait a few weeks and just keep checking it before i bring it to toyota, i know i probally can do it myself, heres the things i have done so far on it were change out the starter,and one of the ps hose, i am wondering how long and how hard this is to do if its a front seal

[Toyotaxtreamteam]

oh yea whats the other thing that i can tighten up front that sometimes gets lose and leaks oil

[Clip]

try getting some ss bolts/allen key screws (definitely make sure they're stainless) and blue loc-tite or permatex thread sealer. that should keep em in place, but still allow for easy removal later. just don't go with the red threadlocker.

[supramacist]

ya if you use too much of the red it's like glue.

[bluemax]

The valve cover screws are not locking. They are not suppose to be tightened too tight either. Engine vibration loosens them all the time. They should be checked yearly. You might try some locktite or high temp seal on the threads to keep them from backing out.

[shaeff]

i switched my stock phillips screws out for 6 point bolts of the same thread pitch. (stainless, of course) and new cove washers from toyota. i also put a very thin layer of RTV sealer on the entire mating surface of the gasket, and i've NEVER had my vavle covers leak.

-shaeff

[Clip]

ya if you use too much of the red it's like glue.

i think red is permanent, requiring heat (torch) to remove. blue is removable, but then they've got green and purple too. if i remember right, green is thin enough to penetrate threads and lock in place once the screw/bolt is adjusted, and purple is oil resistant.

[supramacist]

maybe hex head bolts for what you know you can get to with a wratchet. Make sure they are chrome, I'm not sure but I think it is better metal.

[supraman7mgte]

replace both gaskets and all the screws w/ a nice set of shiny allen heads,deep socket or flat,dont put a death tourque on 'em,and you'll be fine.
you might want to go through there and just start cleaning the hell out of it just to see if there is any buil-up of gunk and oil to make sure your not leaking anywhere else.

[supraman7mgte]

and of course tighten them in a star pattern

[supramacist]

clean it up with some....., castrol super clean, purple bottle. Available at any parts store. A little bit of this shiat and a toothbrush will go a long way. Then just got to the car wash....., and turn the hose on her. Just make sure you leave it running.

[Toyotaxtreamteam]

is it possiable if it was the valve covers it could get into where the timing belt is, like inside the cover i have a light film inside but i still dont belive its the gasket, also i went though alot of things today and found alot loose like oil pan bolts

[johnathan1]

hmm, check the bolts on the two front cam caps, mine were leaking, causing smoke and everything else... just tightened the exhaust one, and leak went away...

[shaeff]

the reason you want stainless steel, for those of you who don't know, is because aluminum (the metal our heads are made of) likes to react to different metals. if you stick a bolt in there that's not stainless, chances are, you'll get some nasty corrosion, and have a hell of a time getting them back out if need be.

-shaeff

[Toyotaxtreamteam]

how do i get to the caps on the front what do i have to remove

[jetjock]

the reason you want stainless steel, for those of you who don't know, is because aluminum (the metal our heads are made of) likes to react to different metals. if you stick a bolt in there that's not stainless, chances are, you'll get some nasty corrosion, and have a hell of a time getting them back out if need be. shaeff

Shaeff, two words: "galvanic scale". SS and Al are at the opposite ends ;)

You also might want to look here: http://tinyurl.com/qe5sj

[johnathan1]

you don't have to take anything off, there is one cap in front of each vavle cover, just behind the cam sprocket backing plate. You will have to lift up the wiring harness that goes accross the front of the engine, but no big deal...Tighten up those bolts...

[Toyotaxtreamteam]

what did you use to loosen them i cant get a wrench on them at all

[johnathan1]

I used a tiny 1/4" ratchet w/ a 3" extension, 10mm socket, for part of it, and a 10mm combo wrench to get it just tight enough to where it wouldn't leak...you kinda have to play with it, took me like 10-15 mins...

[supramacist]

ya...., set it how you want it and keep an eye on it for a few days. You'll know when you get back under it in a few days.