Oil Leak? Burning Smell and Smoke - Nothing on ground

2004 Tacoma V6 2WD 150K miles

After my motor gets warm, I start to see a faint white smoke from lower portion of engine bay, and it does smell like burning oil; I think. And my oil level has started to go down slowly recently.

Could I have a leak where the leaked oil is burning off on the motor and never making it to the ground?

Was first worried about head gasket, but no coolant loss and oil looks normal color.

 

Most likely the valve cover gaskets. Almost all 3.4L V6 owners have experienced this. The oil seeps out and drops on the hot exhaust manifold.

3.4 L V6 5VZ-FE Toyota 4runner, Tacoma, Tundra Valve Cover Gasket Tutorial

 

All the tell-tale signs of valve cover gaskets. Good news is that it's an easy job. I'd highly recommend also changing out all the vacuum lines and injectors while you have the intake manifold off. There are a handful of little vacuum lines that are only accessible when you have the lower intake manifold off.

 

If you can't see it, its probably the rear cam plugs or half moons (part of the standard items addressed during a valve cover job). The Timmy the Toolman YouTube video on valve cover gasket replacement is probably worth watching

 

Thanks. Seems to be a consensus on the valve cover gaskets. If I were to pay a shop to do the work, what would be the expected cost range?

 

At least $1000 I'd bet. Unless you know somebody they'll quote you 4 hours of labor and their guy'll have it done in 90 minutes. I'd highly encourage you to watch that video and then think about whether you can do it yourself (its easy - basically one step above changing your own oil).

Done right you might get another 10 years without leaks. If a shop blasts through the job and uses cheap parts store gaskets, you'll be leaking again in 6 months or less

 

It seems like there must be so many people who have dug multiple times into the top side of the 3.4L engine on Tacomas and 4Runners that there should be a way to find someone offering their services as a specialty hack to do it on that engine for half what a shop would charge. I'd do it! But I'm in CA.

 

Definitely watch the Timmy video and do it yourself. You’ll learn something about your engine and you’ll be able to do the job right. A lot of shops rush this kind of thing because it’s “easy”, and don’t take the care that you would on your own. A weekend project at best.

 

Fuck, if I got $1k to do that job, I'd take the rest of the week off lol. Shop rates are $250/hr now? Yikes

 

I've seen $150/hr here as pretty much the going rate. So if they quote you 4 hours for that and a couple hundred for parts, capped off with our our atrocious 10% sales tax, and you'd find yourself pretty much right at that $1000 mark

 

Yeah I'm not sure why somebody said this was an easy repair. Sure if you wrench on your truck every weekend or your a mechanic. Its a hassle repair and you have to pay attention to detail or you will have leaks again or problems with intake and plenums.

 

If you can watch a YouTube video that guides you through it step by step and just follow along and need zero specialty tools, then I consider that an easy job. There's not even any tough bolts to remove on this job. Among most common issues these trucks face this is about as easy a repair as you'll come across

 

True true, I've done it. Fun like pulling teeth.

 

It's like one more step on top of changing spark plugs...

 

That's a good time to change your spark plugs when your doing your valve cover gaskets.
Bottom line for me its a hassle, cause when I get in there I clean all the old oil that leaked out on engine, usually retape and fix cracked up harnesses, clean the plenum and the inside of the valve covers, shine up the outside of the covers, replace any cracked hoses. So if all you do is r/r gaskets it's not so bad.

 

Thanks again all for the input. Question: Other than losing oil, is there anything else related to this issue that should concern me and make it an urgent issue? Or is it something that can be lived with for awhile?

 

It can be lived with for a while, just don't let that oil level get low

 

Yeah just monitor your oil. It will make a mess over time if you just let it ride. Oil will get in all the cracks and crevices down by the steering rack and oil soak all the rubber parts and pieces if not remedied.

 

A lot of people just tighten their valve cover bolts too. They are notorious for being loose over time.

 

I tightened the bolts yesterday. Today, so far, no burning oil smoke or smell. This just may have been the solution. Crossing fingers.