Oil Leak from the oil filter housing? Pics inside!

So yesterday I walk out of school to find a small puddle of oil under my truck dripping from the skid plates. When I got home I layed down on my back and got under the truck to see if I could locate the source of the leak. After about 30 minutes of searching with a flashlight and wiping things off with a rag I think I have found the culprit. The oil is limited to the passenger side of the engine, and the leak seems to start about halfway up. It seems to be coming from the oil filter housing (the part the oil filter screws into that bolts directly to the block).

I looked at the pan seal for quite some time to make sure that was not the issue. The leak is definitely above the pan seal. So now here are my questions for all of you. Is this a common leak area for the tacomas, and how labor intensive is the fix? It seems to be only three 12 mm bolts, but it's in kind of a tight spot. Has anyone done a write up on this yet?


The leak


The suspected leak



Can anybody help confirm this analysis? Also, is there any diagrams or drawings with the parts and the part numbers floating around? If isn't a huge PITA to fix I think I am going to try and tackle this repair over the weekend. I will try and document and add pics here.

Also, I just got the oil changed at jiffy lube and this started litterally the day after. Could this be a result of and improper oil change or is it just coincidence?

Any info, advice or help is very much appreciated!

The truck is a 2001 2.4 manual 4WD.

 

That looks like residual oil from oil changes.
Give it over the week end. I'll bet it stops dripping.

 

It's been a few days. I wiped everything down really well last night and parked in a "clean" parking spot today, we'll see what happens. It seemed like even after I did wipe it down it would become oily again not long after. I'll keep everyone posted.

 

on mine after changing the oil it takes about an hour for the oil that spills when removing my filter to "soak" thru the junk on the skids and then start dripping


also you said 2.4 manual 4wd?

did you mean 2.7L 4wd or 2.4L 2wd?

 

My 3rz leaks in the same spot too. Not enough to mark it's territory but to leave a residue all down the side of the motor there.

 

my 3rz was gushing oil from there, bad. i searched and searched and didn't come up with much luck.

anyway, i went to the dealer and bought the seal and o-ring and replaced them. very easy fix.

remove the three bolts and replace

there is a o-ring type seal that seals the housing/perch off from the block and then one on a stem of some sort on the inside (i lack technical terminology) i had to cut the inner one off it was so flat i couldn't get it off any other way.

it's easy. good luck

 

I went outside on my lunch break to find a HUGE oil puddle near my passenger side front wheel(red arrow). This is significantly more oil than yesterday's puddle, it is also in a different spot. There is also another small puddle in the same location as the original drip spot(blue arrow). Something is leaking for sure. This parking spot was clean this morning.

 

Did you have to remove anything to get in there (intake, heat shield, etc)?Seems pretty tight but maybe manageable. I'm mostly concerned with being able to clean the surrounding areas and matting surfaces to ensure a good seal.

Thanks for the replies everyone, I'll keep this updated.

 

Yes I meant 2.7, it's manual 4WD.
What is the bigger engine, 2.9?

 

2.7 is the biggest 4 cyl. for tacomas
2.4 are 2wd. That's why post was questioned.

 

ya that's why I asked, I'm not as familiar with the 4cyl (either) so knowing increases my overall knowledge

 

It's time to pull the oil filter housing. I'm sure there's a o ring or gasket in there.

 

Yup, looks like it let go almost completely. Seconds away from disaster possibly. Oil light might be to late for that one,,you can pump quarts out very, very quickly and you only have a few. You would be surprised.

Mine weeped just a bit when it was right off the lot. Took it back and they changed out those seals as I was told. No problems any time afterwards (crosses fingers).

 

i have the 2.7 and about 1.5 inch lift and the only thing i removed to access the housing was the passenger side tire

if i remember correctly i used a socket on two and a box wrench on the third that was a little harder to reach

it really is an easy job. knock it now.

mine weeped for a bit and then just let go and started making puddles similar to yours. if that is where it's leaking from


also, hit the bolts and nut with some pb blaster a day or two in advance!!!

 

i forgot to add. the dealership printed out a parts diagram so i could get the right pieces. i took the diagram with me, it was helpful but not really necessary

let us know what happens

 

I'm looking for a little insight from someone who has done this repair. I'm wondering any best methods and/or complications people have experienced. I'll be working in below freezing temps, so anything info that makes the process as smooth as possible is appreciated.

I picked up the gaskets from the dealer and plan to work on this in the next couple days. Will I be able to get at the 3 bolts with a ratchet and a little contorting, or are there any obstacles that need to be addressed?

 

just presoak those bolts as mentioned and before starting the job warm up the engine before you start taking it apart, ice cold bolts snap off easier then warm or room temperature steel. plus a warm engine adds a little extra comfort to a job in 20 degree weather

 

just watch the exhaust manifold if you warm it up, it tends to be a we bit warmer than the rest of the engine.

I just did this job a week ago, it is as straight forward as everyone says. 3 bolts, two orings/seals and done, I didn't even take the filter off the mount. I have an aftermarket header so it was pretty easy to see what was goin on, not sure how the stock manifold will affect access.

 

Thanks for this thread, guys. I was just poking around earlier today looking for the source of my oil leak, and this thread led me right to it.

 

I have the housing off and now I'm having trouble trying to get the o-ring off. It seems fused in the channel of the shaft it is around. I'm digging at it with a little flat head screwdriver and a utility knife. I'd consider leaving it and just replacing the gasket, but I've already damaged it a little. Anyone have any good ideas for me?

It's part 15194A around 15600A.