Checks, in order
- Clean and traceDegrease the engine, drive a short distance and look for fresh oil. Wetness at the top points to valve covers, and wetness lower points to the oil pan or rear seals.easy $ · under about $50
- Valve cover gasketsLook for oil at the edges of the valve covers and in the spark plug tubes. Replace the gaskets and tube seals as a set.medium $ · under about $50
- Oil pan and drain plugCheck the pan gasket and the drain plug washer. A fresh crush washer is cheap.easy $ · under about $50
- Cam, crank and distributor sealsOil at the front of the engine points to the cam or crank seals. Deal with them at the timing belt service on the V6.hard $$ · about $50 to $500
- Rear main seal and transmissionOil between the engine and transmission may be the rear main seal or a transmission leak. Check the source carefully before committing to the labor.hard $$$ · shop-level job, $500+
Applies to: 1996 to 2002 4Runner with the 2.7L 3RZ-FE four-cylinder and the 3.4L 5VZ-FE V6, 2WD and 4WD, manual and automatic. Where a check only applies to one engine it says so.
Tools and parts for these checks
Links below are Amazon affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate, toyotadata earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Confirm fitment for your exact truck before you order.
| ITEM | USED FOR | BUY |
|---|---|---|
| UV leak detection kit | Pinpointing exactly where a leak starts | Shop on Amazon |
| Engine degreaser | Cleaning the area so the leak shows up | Shop on Amazon |
| Bluetooth OBD2 scanner with live data | Reading and clearing codes and watching live sensor data | Shop on Amazon |
The same problem on other Toyotas
Other engine problems on the 3rd Gen 4Runner
More 3rd Gen 4Runner problems
- Clunk, knock or loose feel in the front end over bumps (Steering & Suspension)
- Shimmy, vibration or steering wander at highway speed (Steering & Suspension)
- Frame rust, rotten rocker panels or rusty underbody (Frame & Body)
- Engine overheating or temperature gauge climbing (Cooling)
- Pink or milky transmission fluid, or coolant in the transmission (Transmission)
- Turn the key: click or nothing, engine won't crank (Starting & Charging)
All 16 3rd Gen 4Runner symptoms in the interactive troubleshooter →
General guidance from owner experience. Confirm torque specs, fluid capacities and procedures in the factory service manual. Brakes, steering and anything structural: if in doubt, have a qualified shop inspect it before driving.