Oil leak?

Hey guys I changed the oil in my 01 tacoma 2 days ago and put synthetic in it. Since then every time I park there's been an oil spot when I leave. My plug and my filter I've wiped off and checked a couple different times and the leak isn't coming from there. But it's dripping down onto my skid plate from somewhere. Any advice on where to look next or what to do?

 

What engine? I have a 2.7 and mine was leaking from the timing chain cover and the distributor o ring. I got a complete engine gasket set and replaced every gasket/seal I could get to while getting doing the timing chain cover. So far so good.

 

It's the v6

 

Don't know anything about the v6. I'm sure someone will chime in.

 

Did you spill any oil when you refilled?

 

Ya when I was changing the oil filter some spilled out but that was 2 days ago and I just figured by now if it were to be that residual it would only show up after I drive and I've parked and wiped everything off and checked it 15 min later and the skid plate will have oil on it dripping

 

It is possible it might be coming from your oil pan gasket.

Gaskets dry and crack over time, becoming worn out, and as synthetic oil is finer than standard oil, it can seep through tiny cracks in the gasket, through which standard oil couldn't because of its larger molecules

It is common to see small leaks appear after switching to synthetic because of old and worn out gaskets. Synthetic does not cause leaks, it just highlights issues with worn gaskets, issues that would have turned into leaks eventually, even with standard oil.

 

Are you sure it is not residual from your oil change? I am sure you noticed that the filter is a mess to remove.

 

Thanks onakat, I'll try replacing that gasket.

Right after I did the oil change I figured the small puddle was residual but since then I've drove probably 200 miles and i don't think any residual would still be there, plus it definitely looks more like fresh oil coming out

 

I used synthetic once.... never again....

 

I read a while back that it was unwise to switch from Dino Oil to Synthetic on high mile trucks for this exact reason. Onakat nailed it...

 

Why never again? My 04 has 335K and is running like new. No leaks, no oil consumption and I change it every 10K.
What was your experience?

 

Did you tighten the oil filter enough?

 

My v6 has a small oil leak coming from the driver side valve cover. It runs down the back of the block and drips on the skid plate a tad. Usually a small drop on the trans housing.

 

@onakat

 

I use Royal Purple HMX for high mileage vehicles on my 04 3.4 V6 Tacoma with an OEM filter and I've never have to add oil. No leaks whatsoever either. Here's my mileage and I've been using for the last 157,000 miles.

 

I should have clarified. My Taco has been on a steady diet of Mobil 1 synthetic since new. The PO recommended I change oil every 10 K as he did. I am following his lead. No issues with my motor. Thus me asking why the response from 01GreenTacoma of never again using synthetic.

 

I ran Mobil 1 full synthetic once at around 225,000 and my truck used oil, I swapped back to penzoil high mileage and have not had any issues. Not sure what the issue was.... I have always run 10w30

 

I use the castrol edge extended performance 15,000 mile oil myself and in at 114,000 and i only use synthetic. My truck does not burn oil or leak anything. Last time i used 10,000 mile oil and went 12k and it was still looking pretty good. This next oil change a sample is going to black-stone labs for a test.

 

make sure you got the old oil filter seal off.
sometimes it sticks to the engine and people forget to remove it once the new oil filter is on it has two seals making it not tight enough.