Troublesome oil leak

Hey everyone! I just signed up on here. I figured I might as well be a member since a lot of the threads here have helped me with previous projects and jobs on my truck already and this is already my go to site for help and advice. So this is my first post and I know the topic has been brought up before but I'm still having trouble with the issue. I've had some local shops try and fix the problem but it persists. Unfortunately, since I travel a lot for work and don't have easy access to a garage, I've had to rely on mechanics to do the work for me. Anyway here it is:

I've been having an oil leak on my passenger side that is accumulating on the rear corner of the valve cover and causing smoke and odor. At first I assumed it was the valve cover gasket, since the leak kept up after I had retightened the bolts several times. After having them replaced, I still smelled oil burning and saw smoke, although it was less than before. Next I had the half moons redone, but I'm still seeing and smelling smoke and finding oil on that same rear corner of the valve cover.

Has anyone else had this much trouble with a leak like this? The only thing I can think of now is maybe the mechanic that did the work just sucks, or I may have a Crack somewhere. Any thoughts or advice is appreciated!

 

Hey Dan, is this a 4 or 6 cyl? Possible to provide some pics??
I have a '03 PreRunner with a 3.4, and mine was seeping oil out the rear cam plug. Hard to see without using a mirror to view the back of the motor (against firewall).

 

Not a picture of mine but here is what I'm referring to. Not sure if the 4 cyl has these or not.

 

It's a 6 cyl 3.4. Sorry should have mentioned that. I wish I could upload some pics but I don't have any handy right now. I had that cam plug replaced and re-sealed but I'm still seeing the smoke and getting the smell. I'm out of town for work now so I can't really get in there to look closer to see if that's where it's still coming from.

 

Understood. Mine never created any smoke or smell but again it was just wet around the rear cam plugs on both sides. I do know that if the gasket sealer isn't applied in the right places around the cam plugs they will leak again. "If" they put sealer around them I would imagine you should be able to see some on the outside bottom of cam plug.
Good Luck and let us know what it turns out to be.


This is what I used when I replaced mine.

 

Had to re-do mine for same. Didn't catch them first time.

 

Thanks! Once I get back to where I have access to the truck again I'll look. I've never removed them myself. If the guy didn't put sealer on it, how much of a pain is it do yourself?

 

It wasn't that much of a pain for me as it was time consuming. That's because it was my first time, and I was being extra careful and cleaning as I went.
Hopefully it's only leaking on the passengers side. If it's the drivers side, then you'll have to remove not only the throttle body, but the intake.

It's mentioned in the links below and I'm sure others can offer more advice, but be mindful of the following:

• If you have access to an air compressor, I would blow out the area around the fuel injector rails, etc., to remove sand and grit from falling/blowing into the engine when you remove the valve cover.
• If it's really dirty/oily where the valve cover mates to the block, I would recommend a good washing before taking the valve covers off.
• be careful removing the fuel injector wiring! The plastic is very brittle (heat & age). No matter how careful I was, I still had a few pieces break/crack.
  
• Don't over tighten the valve cover bolts. Reports of some who have cracked the valve cover covers from over tightening.

There are others, but here are a couple of good links that will help. http://www.yotatech.com/f2/5vzfe-leaky-valve-covers-fixed-56k-beware-149594/

 

I kind of wonder how much of an actual valve cover leak we get (after re tightening) and how many of our leaks are those cam plugs.
Mine was always all over the rear of the engine.

 

I agree. Mine was definitely more of the rear cam plugs and the front half moon clips.

 

Yeah. The only temporary fix I have found between work trips is using a stop leak additive to my oil that has slowed it down some. For now, I just have to wait till I'm in town again to get back under the hood. From what you guys are telling me and what I've seen. I think the mechanic didn't do the plugs and half moons correctly

 

Cam plugs can leak a lot. I changed mine without pulling the valve covers. Take the two per side bolts out holding them in and worked around mine with a strong magnet until it came out. Pain in the ass to do but well worth it not to smell that oil burning.

 

I know you said how......but HOW in the world would you change those out without removing the valve cover??? Looks like it would be near impossible since you have to remove the two bolts that help secure in place. I'll give you props for creativity.

Pic from Toyota-4Runner.org