Oil Leak

Hi gang. First time posting here. I’ve got a 2005 4WD, 2.7L 5-speed. 160k on the clock and counting. Did an oil change and noticed that the right side of the block is wet from the filter down to the pan. Left side is bone dry. Haven’t had a chance to pull the skid plate and poke around yet. Just wondering if someone else has seen/had/heard of this, and maybe steer me in the right direction. I DID notice a SLIGHT deformity in the old K&N filter gasket in one spot-tiny V-shaped depression. Thinking this could be the culprit, but I’m trying to cover my bases. Thanks for any help in advance.

 

Welcome

Clean everything off good in the suspect area, drive it a bit, and see if it reappears, that will tell you if it's an active leak and allow you to more easily pinpoint the source.

 

Dm93 is correct in that you need to clean and then observe. But valve cover gasket would be a guess if it hasn't been done yet or if it wasn't done properly.

 

Shmn,
I actually changed that myself back in Nov. 2015. Probably right around 80-90k I’m thinking. Didn’t think to check that again, but I’ll look. Thanks!

 

I'd be interested to see what you find. Haven't done an oil change myself yet - but I pretty much have the same truck, except a 2007 with 148k+ miles. That's assuming your current Access Cab is in the photo. That is a nice color you have, I don't think I've ever seen that beige/gold around here on a Tacoma.

 

Oil drip starting below filter and going down from there, and you can remember a weird spot on the seal? I'd start with a new filter. Have you put your hand on it to see if it was loose?

 

Shmn,

valve cover is bone dry.

 

Dm93,

Can’t really get to anything to clean it. I managed to get the alternator to swing out of the way just enough to see past and behind it. The wettest part looks like it’s at the top right side of the front engine cover. Just what I need:MORE GRAY HAIR. I guess I could just grab the spray bottle & piss simple green all over it & let it bleed off onto some cardboard, but that’s about the best I can do. Nowhere to take it to degrease it that I know of.

 

Stelcom66,

Thanks! That is, in fact, the original “Desert Sand Mica” color. Commonly referred to as “Gold.” LOL. I bought a set of TRD wheels for the wife’s 2017 4Runner and put her wheels on my truck. The original steel ones were done for.

 

Merely a guess but your description is the same as when my 2.7 did this several years ago. Passenger side of the block is where the oil sending unit is located. Mine went and was dropping a good bit of oil, it had me fooled at first into thinking filter/valve cover gasket. I can't tell you exactly where it is as I had the local mechanic replace it but it was only $150 part/labour. I don't have skid plates on mine so IDK for sure but I would guess they went in from the top which means less work for you removing the skid

 

I'm not really familiar with the layout of the 2.7l I rarely see them, at the shop we usually hose oily spots off with brake parts cleaner and let it run or drive it a bit to pinpoint leaks.

 

Oil pressure switch location in diagrams below from part manual and service manual (which isn't a great help). Could be front cover too...mine was resealed under warranty when I first got the truck as it was leaking a bit but not a huge mess.

 

Betting a leaking filter gasket. Clean and monitor.

 

You're welcome Spashooter - and you answered the second question I was going to ask, did it come with those nice wheels. So that is a unique truck you have. Some day I'd like to replace the steel wheels on mine.

 

I know when mine went several years ago it got all over the place on that side, to where I would have bet money it was the filter or valve cover gasket. Brought it to the oil change place (as I had just had it done there) and they looked at it, showed me the sending unit being the origin and I tipped the guy $10 and a big thank you.

 

ABA180; Dm93; shmn,

I saw that white sending unit when I moved the alternator over a bit. It’s completely bone dry-as well as the area around it.

Jimmyh,

I changed the oil & filter last weekend. That’s when I noticed a slight dimple on the outside edge of the filter gasket. The area around the filter, and all the way aft from it is dry. The oil is wettest at the top right corner of the engine, right behind/under the alternator. I think I’m in the market for a new front seal, and all the other stuff that goes with it. *sigh* SHIT!

 

This is the view looking up from the bottom right corner of the engine. The bottom of the alternator is at the top of the pic, slightly right of center.