kino1161OL

First, let me say that I am not a mechanic so if my question sounds stupid it is because I just don't know. Sorry. Well, my 1996 GS (130K miles) is leaking oil right now. I have a small spot every morning on my garage floor. I don't know the difference between a headgasket and a valve cover. Which could it be or which is it normally? What kind of price am I looking at? Please Help! Thanks!

pitchblaq

The first thing i would check is the oil filter, to make sure it has not loosened and the oil pan drain plug if thats what it's called at the bottom of your GS.

Epik

iTrader: (7)

most likely the valve cover gaskets. could also be the distributor o-ring. doubtful it is the head gasket.

headgasket= between the block (bottom end) and the cylinder head (top end) it is what seals the two and keeps compression to make the car run. doubtful it is leaking

valve cover gaskets= common to leak, pretty cheap to buy, PITA to replace b/c the intake manifold has to come off..at least the top half.

distributor o-ring= the thing your spark plug wires plug into is the distributor, there is an o-ring to seal it where it goes into the head. They ALL leak at some point. Easy to replace, but have to reset the ignition timing afterward.

Look at the motor... is there oil on the top half? if so it is most likely the valve cover gaskets.

Epik

iTrader: (7)

also.. which side of the car is the leak coming from?

kino1161OL

I can really see oil residue on the passenger side of the motor, BUT at the same time it looks as if there is some on the driver's side also. So, I know it is not the drain plug. It looks like it is on the bottom part of the engine.

Kaiser

iTrader: (1)

Near the bumper on the passenger side or the firewall?

kino1161OL

I looked at it this morning. It seems it is the top half. Looking at the engine, it looks like you can take the top off the engine. Where the "top half" connects to the bottom half is where it seems the oil is coming from. For a better picture, the area where all the spark plugs, plug into (passenger side, front of engine, rubber thing), right below that there is an area where the top of the engine and the bottom connects to each other. That area right there is where oil is coming from. Not just there in that area, but it seems to be all the way around the engine. I was just trying to show you which top to bottom connection of the engine I was referring to. Man, I confused myself with this one.. I hope someone knows what I am trying to say.

Tammy

By the description, this seems like the I-6 valve cover gasket has dried out.

Toyota design likes to use a fitted "O-ring" rubber type gasket fitted into the aluminum valve cover. It is generally reusable until the plastic dries out due to age. They then crack and flatten out.

The mounting bolts then become loose, adding to the leak.

Epik

iTrader: (7)

yup exactly what i was thinking. once i deduced that the "top of the motor comes off" meant the valve covers.

ricomr

iTrader: (1)

how exactly do you go about resetting the ignition timing? I replaced the o-ring for my distributor but never reset the timing...

kino1161OL

Thanks, guys!!! Valve cover it is!!

Kaiser

iTrader: (1)

Using a 22mm socket (I think) turn the crank until the white line reads 0. Then look at the cams. There are marks on the cams that will match up to the tiny little dents in the metal above the wheels. If the crank is a 0 and the cam gears marks are even with the tiny indents in the black plastic above them, you are set. Install the distributor at this point.

Wald GS

iTrader: (1)

I am pretty sure my distributor's O ring is bad as it is leaking. However can someone please post a pic on how to check the valve cover head gasket ring? thx