MY 94 Runner has been marking its territory with an oil leak. I was concerned that it might have been the rear seal which would have been mucho dinero. I just learned today that it was just the oil cooler gaskets which were about about $100.00 inc. labor. Turns out our 3.0's are known for the cooler leak. So, if you fellow 3.0's have an oil leak, make sure to check the cooler.

I had assumed it was my rear main seal that was leaking on my 3.0 too. What oil cooler gaskets are you speaking of?

Yea, I'm leaking oil too. It's coming from near the spark plugs on the passenger side, and leaking down onto everything below.

Where was yours leaking? Could you explain this oil cooler gasket? Pics would be great <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

<small>[ April 08, 2003, 07:54 PM: Message edited by: Adam F ]</small>

my 3.0L was leaking oil. i found the evidence on the asphalt and on the front diff. i was leaking from the pass side valve cover. i had both valve cover gaskets (and other related stuff) replaced for ~$240.

Ditto. I just changed my oil cooler gaskets in January after I developed a small oil leak. The oil cooler is located on the driver-side of the engine, maybe three inches away from the oil filter, it's a round looking thing with serrations in it. Replacment of the seals is a PITA, basically it requires draining the coolant (there's two coolnat lines which keep the oil cooler cool. Then remove the large (24 or 26mm I can't rember) bolt which holds the cooler on in the middle. One large gakset (probably the one that's leaking) will be located where the under-side of this cooler meets the block, the other one (small one) is located in the intereior of the cooler and requires removing a snap-ring to get to. Don't tell my truck but I only replaced the larger, outer seal and so far haven't had any problems with it leaking.

If it's any solace the parts guy at Toyota told me that these seals are one of the common failure points on the 3.0 V6, he couldn't belive I'd never replaced mine in the eight years I've owned my truck. Not sure if it makes any diffrece but up until last summer my truck was a daily driver and rarely sat for longer then four days at a time, now though it sits for a week or more at a time so I think that might have contribuited to the seal possibly drying-out, or not, it's hard to say.

HTH, sorry I don't have any pictures

--Kevin

Thanks Kev250R. Man, I didnt even know my truck had an oil cooler. If you say its near the oil filter, which is near the front of the block, then its not my leak. My leak seems to be coming from in between the block and the transmission (Right where a rear main seal leak would be coming from). I'll check it out tomorrow to make sure. Thanks again.

See that round gold thing?? That is the oil cooler. It is held on by 1 large bolt in the center, other than that it looks much like an oil filter and only requires a gasket that looks like an oil filter gasket.. (be warned, the hoses are coolant and will leak a lot if removed)
<img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> edit.. the round gold thing on the right.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />
<img src="http://www.yankeetoys.org/lee/motor-5.jpg" alt=" - " />

<small>[ April 08, 2003, 11:22 PM: Message edited by: Firefyter_Emt ]</small>

to 93runner, the oil cooler leak that I had did look like the rear seal to me due to the way the oil makes its way down to the ground, so you still have hope that it is the cheaper fix. Good luck!

Hey, I think that exactly where ONE of my leaks is comming from. Its dripping down on to my control arms. Another one is leaking down on the oil drain plug and the front of the transmission. Would this be the same as the oil cooler or maybe the front main seal.

Sid

Sid, your leaks look like the same type I had, on the control arm (left is caked with oil gook and the right side is still clean) and oil dripping down the drain plug. You should get your oil cooler checked. Good luck.