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Oil Leak but Where?

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by 2006Tundra, Oct 20, 2021.

  1. Oct 20, 2021 at 6:06 AM
    #1
    2006Tundra

    2006Tundra [OP] Financially Irresponsible

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    Lou
    Long Beach, CA
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    Hey guys,

    Some of you already know that I've been chasing this oil leak. I first thought maybe the rear main went bad, so I had it replaced a couple of weeks ago. It helped but it still was leaking very little, took it back to the mechanic and he put sealer on the crank bolts.
    Well, it's still leaking (picture) but I'm not sure where.
    The valve covers look dry, some oil build up from over the years, oil pan looks dry. Any ideas?

    Thanks for your help

    177k on the motor
    5-30 full synthetic oil

    IMG_1616.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2021
  2. Oct 20, 2021 at 8:59 AM
    #2
    jerryallday

    jerryallday New Member

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    6112 lift, Camburg UCA, 17 methods on 33inch Ko2 tires
    I had this leak at 160k miles, it was coolant from a bad heater bypass o-ring behind the water pump. Coolant would fall in the valley of the engine and leak down. I have a whole post about it.

    [​IMG]

    Now I’m chasing this leak at 173k, it’s not leaking enough to leave a stain the driveway. But just enough to start getting everything under it greasy. Been following you rear main seal post thinking that’s my issue
    [​IMG]
     
    2006Tundra[OP] likes this.
  3. Oct 20, 2021 at 9:08 AM
    #3
    2006Tundra

    2006Tundra [OP] Financially Irresponsible

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    Thanks, Jerry. It's definitely oil, so I doubt it's coolant and definitely getting greasy and not staining the drive way. I'm going to a different mechanic today in Cypress (The Toy Shop of Cypress) for a second opinion. They have great reviews on Yelp. Hope they can narrow this down. I'll make sure to update you. I can't imagine the rear main is leaking again so the only placed that I can think of would me the valve covers or oil pan.
     
    jerryallday[QUOTED] likes this.
  4. Oct 20, 2021 at 10:36 AM
    #4
    bmf4069

    bmf4069 Yup, that's car parts in a dishwasher

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    I'd be willing to bet valve covers. Check on the half moons on the back of the head.

    20211020_123523.jpg
     
    2006Tundra[OP] likes this.
  5. Oct 20, 2021 at 10:42 AM
    #5
    2006Tundra

    2006Tundra [OP] Financially Irresponsible

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    Thanks. I'll double check and feel around during my lunch break. The truck is nice and cold right now. Nothing was obvious to me when I was looking around before.
     
  6. Oct 20, 2021 at 10:53 AM
    #6
    N84434

    N84434 In the Frozen Tundra

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    Jim
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    You're sure it's not the front seal on the transmission starting to weep? Just eliminating the obvious....
     
  7. Oct 20, 2021 at 11:16 AM
    #7
    2006Tundra

    2006Tundra [OP] Financially Irresponsible

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    Wouldn't it leak tranny fluid? It's not red, it looks like oil.

    @bmf4069 I just looked at my truck. The passenger side valve cover has some oil build up. I suppose it could be coming from there but if it was, wouldn't it look more wet? I looks like oil and dirt mixed and is caked up, that black color.
     
  8. Oct 20, 2021 at 11:28 AM
    #8
    2006Tundra

    2006Tundra [OP] Financially Irresponsible

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    jerryallday likes this.
  9. Oct 20, 2021 at 3:21 PM
    #9
    N84434

    N84434 In the Frozen Tundra

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    If it's running past a dirty area, it would come out looking dirty, but if you're dealing with past VC leaks, it could very well be residual oil running down. Mechanic should have seen that, IF that's what's happening..
    Hope it gets figured out soon
     
  10. Oct 21, 2021 at 6:06 AM
    #10
    2006Tundra

    2006Tundra [OP] Financially Irresponsible

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    I'll find out tomorrow. It's possible its coming from the VC, I just haven't seen anything wet, just dirt oil build up.
     
    N84434[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Oct 25, 2021 at 2:48 PM
    #11
    2006Tundra

    2006Tundra [OP] Financially Irresponsible

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    @jerryallday Hey man. So I kind of have an update. Took it in on Friday and Robert, the Mechanic says he thinks it was residual oil from the rear main seal job. He saw nothing coming from the valve covers or anywhere else. He suggested to steam clean the motor, top and bottom and I did that right after I left. He said to monitor the area but he really feels like it was residual. I spent about 45mins cleaning the bottom of the motor with break clean on the areas that where missed from the steam clean. So far, it's been dry.

    You may want to take your truck there, they didn't charge me to look at the truck. They did a pretty good job looking around and pointed things out that needed to be addressed. I would schedule a date and time before showing up if you take your truck there.
     
    des2mtn, bmf4069 and jerryallday like this.

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