Gunk on front of engine

Hello!
I am now an owner of a 2000 Toyota tacoma! 150k miles (2.4L) I bought one of these cause I love tiny trucks and hear the only thing that usually kills em is rust, which this one has basically none. The main concern I have is it smells a little like oil/coolant when I run it although the smell is somewhat fading. Oil is never burnt or milky, coolant is a nice green no blue smoke or white smoke. I do have a concern about this “gunk”. It also vibrates some at idle, but i’m going to clean the throttle body and AIC here soon.

 

Looks like an oil leak. These engines normally use a red or pink coolant btw.

 

Okay thank you. Oil is at the full line, no puddling under car and i already drove it ~100 miles so im confused here

 

Looks like a slow leak over time. You can tell by the gunk build up and color.

 

Gotcha. I appreciate the reply, i’ll try cleaning it up and getting a look around to see where it could be.

 

YO
welcome!!!!

i had to go thru the same thing when i got my 2.4L
was seeping oil from everywhere
after replacing valve cover gasket(assembly)/distributor O-ring/T-cover gaskets(BIG job)/oil pan gasket/oil pump and gasket
not a drop of oil now

i have quite a few threads out there for my taco with good pix over a period of 4-5 months of wrenching
lots of tips that other members helped me figure out

 

oh yeah
buy a case of brake cleaner!

i think i used $130 of the stuff

 

Dude thank you so much for the response! I am gonna start trying to knock out some of this stuff with my pops here soon.

 

After further inspection, seems it may be starting at the front of the valve cover by the oil dipstick. Lets hope its not the t-cover

 

1st thing i would do is cover that engine with degreaser.....drive to car wash(or if u have a pwr washer)
then keep an eye on where fresh oil start accumulating
i had to take 3 trips to car wash.....mine looked as bad as yours

one easy/cheap oil leak fix
distributor O ring like $9.....i will find part number for ya and post
i say that bc your ac compressor covered in oil seepage
the O ring is right above your compressor

lots of vids showing how easy......as long as you stab distributor back in correctly

 

Buy a few cans of this stuff. Don’t get it on your paint. Then go to your local power wash place.

 

I’ve never cleaned an engine with water, how should I even go about it

 

Do you have a local do it yourself car wash place? If yes get your engine to operating temperature. Drive to your pressure wash. Spray your engine degreaser (gunk) all over your engine area. Pressure wash engine.

 

https://youtu.be/zlKdOJtamDc?si=6pcpzl5-w15sjHTr

 

Can I ask you a question? Are you mechanically inclined? If not have someone that is supervise you. If you don’t know what you’re doing you can have a bad day.

 

I’m definitely amateur. I have done some projects with my father and alone. But nothing too crazy. I have replaced radios alone, shocks, alternators, brakes, etc. but electrical stuff and water in the engine bay is definitely sketchy. Thank you for your help.

 

no problem. I hope my input helps.

 

I have a question about this, i’m looking for the o-ring the part # you sent says its for 1996-1999, i have the 2000. I’m assuming not much changed cause they’re the same gen but would that still fit?

 

It does. I just want a healthy tacoma while learning how to do some things myself. I’m just trying not to brick my truck.