Just Had First Major Work Done

So I was changing my oil for the first time on my '09 (bought it used with ~42000 mi, only put 4500 on it in 8 months...I work from home) and noticed a small drip on the bottom of the drain plug. Nothing on the floor so not severe. That got me to really poking around in the bay and noticed sludgy crap (obviously oil) on the right/top/front of the block, seemingly originating from the valve cover seals (?). So I took it in not only for that but also to replace the damn squeaking AC fan motor. They found a leak. Here's the parts list:

2 x

$13 00295-00103 Formed-in-Place Oil Pan Gasket - 3 oz. Tube

00295-00103 - FIPG OIL PAN - "Oil Pan Sealer"
1 x

$20 90311-A0005 Toyota Genuine Oil Seal for Timing Gear Case Or Timing Chain Case

90311-A0005 - SEAL, TYPE T OIL - "Crankshaft Seal"
1 x 15193-31010 - GASKET, OIL PUMP
1 x 15188-31050 - GASKET, OIL PUMP BOD
1 x 15147-AD010 - GASKET, OIL STRAINER
1 x 96722-24030 - RING, O
1 x 16124-0P030 - GASKET - "Water Pump Assy Gasket"
1 x 11328-0P010 - GASKET, TIMING CH - "Timing Cover Gasket"
1 x 96721-19010 - RING, O - "Tube Seal"
1 x 44410-04220 - TUBE ASSY, PRESSU - "Power Steering Pressure Tube"
2 x 95381-04045 - PIN, COTTER

So, between actual gaskets and the liquid tube stuff, it looks like just about every seal and gasket in my engine was replaced. My question is, what exactly did they have to do to replace all these seals? Was this basically an overhaul? Did they have to tear it apart and rebuild it? I would have asked the tech myself, but not only was he off, but it was a Monday when I picked it up and the place was a ZOO. I was a little disheartened that an engine that is supposed to be bulletproof had a bad gasket so soon. Although I do realize it's possible it came from the factory like this (bubble in original sealant, poor application, etc) and the previous owner was too much of a 'tard to notice.

What really sucks is I had just put $22+ of Mobil 1 in it and they obviously had to drop the pan and thus the oil...I'm just glad I noticed it and it was fully covered...

Adam

On a side note, an interesting observation I made was that when I originally took it for the diagnosis and fan motor replacement, of the 10 or so Toyota vehicles in the bays, probably 6 of them were 2nd gen Tacos. Is this coincidence or a trend???

 

There is a TSB out for the blower motor , so yes it's typical.
http://www.tacomahq.com/1058/toyota-tacoma-fan-noise-tsb/

As for the engine you are correct in assuming something may not have been right from the start. If the original owner was expecting the service members to let them know if there was an issue then there isn't much they could do unless they pay more attention(tards). It seems to have been sitting a while too maybe based off mileage.

This all leads to being happy you caught the issue now and you had it repaired properly. I myself would ask about everything they will do before the repair was done. In your case go back if you are concerned.

 

Sorry for sounding dumb, but what's the last aluminum piece on the bottom of the block called? It looks like it joins to the main block of aluminum for the most part and to the timing cover in the front. Is there a separate aluminum bottom part above the pan? It appears as if this has brand new black liquid gasket applied. Is that possible?? EDIT....Nevermind on this part. I've been looking at the FSM and apparently the oil pan is in two parts on the 1GR-FE, the main sub-assembly (aluminum) that is bolted to the bottom of the block and the no 2 Pan sub-assembly (black painted steel?) where the drain plug is. I just looked again and there is definitely new liquid gasket on the main assy to block junction. So it really does look like they re-sealed just about everything that might "hold" oil. I hope they found the actual leak and weren't just going with the shotgun approach....

Anyone have a best idea on giving the block a good cleaning to get the residual gunk/oil off?? I want to be sure it isn't leaking anymore before I can really call it "fixed."

By the way...I am relatively mechanically inclined. I know how it all works, but have never learned about the names of the major block components because realistically, I'll never be taking it apart. Alternators, brakes, oil, minor electrical, spark plugs, etc is about as far as I will venture with my garage setup.

 

Thats got my vote.

 

We do a couple a month at work...couple of my guys can have it done before lunch...