3.4L Oil Leak

My 2000 3.4L has an oil leak. I cannot tell exactly where it's coming from. It collects in the skid plate and it drips off of the bell housing and around the transmission fluid pan. I'm not sure if it's dripping down and running off from somewhere higher. Any advice is appreciated.

 

Rear main seal

 

Common is valve cover and half moon. Possible rear main.

Have you look?

 

I’ve looked. I just cant tell if its the back of the valve covers dripping down onto the transmission or of it’s the RMS itself

 

I just had that problem I thought the bolts were loose on the valve covers but it was the oil sending unit, check that

 

Is that near the oil filter?

 

I actually don’t know where it is but if you look it up on YouTube I’ll bet they’ll show you

 

Have you tried lightly tightening the cam cover (valve cover) bolts? See if they are loose? Sometimes - you can get a bit more life out of the seals only because they rattled loose. I also had an oil sending unit leak but that's towards the front drivers side. Super easy fix for that one.

 

I have a similar leak leak and thought it was the rear main seal. After looking at it, I’m about 95% sure its associated with the valve covers/half moons just dripping down. Already ordered all the parts from camelback and will tackle it this winter.

 

No sure, I think I’m going to do the valve covers after I get the timing belt done. I know a retired Toyota mechanic that will do the valve cover gaskets for $50.

 

That will do your VC gaskets, but there are a few things that could be recommended when he is in there. Not necessary, but while I am doing mine, I will also be replacing the TB gasket, plenum gaskets, half moons, etc.... at 150k on my truck, I thought it would be good measure. But if he is a Toyota mechanic, he should know what needs to be done and $50 is a super deal if it gets your issue corrected

 

Yessir, I was also thinking about doing the rear cam plugs

 

What does that entail (labor wise)?

 

A whole lot of work. Transmission or engine must come out to access the RMS

 

i would give him twice that amount!

 

is that a known problem on the 3.4 after a certain age or mileage?

 

Varies

 

is there preventative maintenance that can be done to avoid that RMS?

 

Nope.