need ID of what this part is, leaking oil

I had been under the impression that my 95 Tacoma 2.4L had been leaking a little bit of oil based on the stains it would leave on the ground. However, today while replacing one of the O2 sensors I noticed that the oil seems to be dripping from somewhere else.

I don't think the area pictured above is related to the engine. I did some searching it looks like it might be the front differential. Is this cause for great ($$$$$) alarm?

 

2.4L? Arn't you a 5 lug, rear wheel drive vehicle? If so, no front Dif.

Sure looks like it's running down from above. Can you see where it starts?

 

Rear main seal.

 

That's the bell housing of your manual transmission. The leak is up higher on the right side, and could be a number of things.

Best action is to clean it all up, then begin inspecting regularly so you can figure out where it's coming from.

Could be the oil filter, oil pressure sender, valve cover gasket, etc.

As an early voter, I'll go with the valve cover gasket.

Let us know what you find.

 

Yes, 5 lug.

It seems like the oil stained area starts halfway up that part. I'll clean it up and see where it starts.

 

Yep, valve cover or rear main most likely. You hope it's the valve cover.

 

What about oil pan? That or rear main.

 

I had a leaky rear main seal on one of my 2.7l some time ago, but I don't remember where the oil was coming out. I'd be looking at the valve cover first, since people report those leaks here pretty regularly.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

I’ve never seen a valve cover leak so badly that oil runs all the way down and drips off the bottom. That would have to be a hell of a leak.

 

Not really.

Just one that's been leaking for a long time.

 

+1 on the valve cover gasket. Not an easy job for the novice and you'll want to adjust the valves while you're in there.

 

Usually the oil would have cooked off the hot engine on the way down. Idk I’m just skeptical.

 

Agreed. Could be a number of things, or a combination of things at that. A rear main with an oil pan, or an oil pan with a valve cover gasket. Best advice, clean it very well and monitor it regularly. Rear main woulmd be a leak which would be a big $$ repair because the whole tranny has to come off. The rest is fairly lower cost.

Additionally, there is an inspection cover which is usually removable on most tranny's. Pull it off and look up past the flywheel, if you see oil leaking from that area, rear main seal is smoked.

 

You haven't seen the bean then

Good chance it's not the valve covers to be puking out that much oil though. Clean and inspect as Clearwater Bill says...

 

Removing a 4x4 trans isn't fun. I wouldn't mind doing a 2wd one -without the transfer case it's pretty simple to do.

 

It can't be that hard. Just a lot of extra weight due to the t-case and a bunch of extra bolts to remove I'm sure.

 

The weight isn't centered so it wants to rotate and when it does it no longer clears the power steering lines. Wasn't fun to say the least lol. I'm making a plywood jig to keep it oriented the right way when I put it back in.

 

Sounds about right. It's the same way with these older 2000 era Chevy and GMC Suburban and Tahoes. The need for a lift increases or a tranny jack even.

 

Just make sure when replacing gaskets and seals you use genuine Toyota parts. Off brand seals/gaskets leak not very long after. Ask me how I know.

 

That was with a 800lb HF tranny jack lol. Thing likes to twist more than Chubby Checker.