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1992 Toyota Corolla 1992 Corolla losing oil

Tiny
JMEETOO
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  • 1992 TOYOTA COROLLA
Engine Mechanical problem
1992 Toyota Corolla 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive 160000 miles

Hello, I have a 1992 toyota corolla that after driving to and from work, there is a small puddle of oil directly under the corner of the oil pan gasket closest to the a/c compressor. I took it to the toyota dealer and they said the entire engine needs to be resealed. The thing is, when I check the lever after driving it every day, the dipstick shows no sign of any significant oil loss. Is "resealing" the motor something I can do on my own without removing the it from the car?
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Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 AT 6:10 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
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The number of places the engine can leak oil from is mind boggling.

If you can drive 1000 miles without having to add more than 1 quart of oil to the engine, I suggest you live with the leak.

If leaving oil drippings on your driveway is not an option, then degrease the engine, and then watch for where the oil leak is.
It is unlikely that EVERY seal and gasket is leaking.
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Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 AT 8:03 PM
Tiny
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Hey thanks for the reply. Toyota quoted me 4000.00 to reseal the whole motor. Yes I can go for 1000 miles without adding oil. Since it is leaking in that particular area, might it be a seal by the timing belt? It is not from the valve cover gasket, nor the distributor but it seems to be above the oil pan so that rules the oil pan gasket out. But im not sure. There are I noticed some tiny oil spots on all the drive belts but not where it splashed on the hood and all around the rest of the motor. What worries me is that they made it seem like it is so bad but its not and they said something about the timing belt slipping because it is losing so much oil?

I do appreciate your help. My parents want me to get a new car, but this car is in really tip top condition besides this oil leak. Plus, it would be pretty hard for me to let this car go being that I have done so much to it and the excellent condition it is in for a 1992.

Justin
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Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 AT 8:31 PM
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
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The front crank seal, or a cam seal is of concern.
The timing belt wont actually slip, but the oil can soften the belt to the point that it fails.
Causing major engine damage.

Get a second opinion (well I guess a third, as mine was already a second opinion)
Get another opinion from a shop that can look at it.

If I had your car in the shop, considering its mileage. And the possibility of a crank or cam leak, I would recommend all of these items. (Depending on when/if they had every been replaced before)

crank seal
cam seal
timing belt
water pump
drive belts
oil change
transmission fluid change
spark plugs
air filter
fuel filter
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Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 AT 8:40 PM
Tiny
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So all in all, how many cam seals are there and how would I go about doing this myself? I can do general car repairs and I have done minor repairs like replacing the radiator, valve cover gasket, etc. So I know the timing belt needs to go since its probably soaked with oil by now. How would I go about starting this procedure? IS there a picture by picture step manual I can follow to get this done myself? Most of the repair shops are saying its 1000 to 2000 to get the oil leak fixed. It is indeed the cam seal and crank seal, plus the timing belt and water pump. Any advice on this situation would really be greatly taken. :)

Thanks
Justin
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Friday, January 30th, 2009 AT 4:08 PM
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
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Other than brakes, changing the timing belt is the most dangerous thing you can do to a car.

I don't mean to scare you.
Just be warned, if you do something wrong, you can ruin your engine.

That said, most repair manuals cover the topic pretty well. With step by step written word and lots of pictures and diagrams.

Since I don't know which engine you have, you could have 1 or 2 cams, and thus, 1 or 2 cam seals.
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Friday, January 30th, 2009 AT 5:14 PM
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
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To add to the great advice from buddycraigg:

There were two engines available, the 4AFE and 4AGE. The 4AFE has one camshaft cog:


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/108325_belt_marks_2.jpg



The 4AGE has two camshaft cogs driven by belt. You most likely have the 4AFE as the 4AGE is rare.

The leak could be the front crank seal or oil pan, or oil pressure sender, but the oil could be leaking on other side and running down to front.
There is an inspection hole in the timing belt cover (rubber, about halfway down) rmove and inspect the belt, if oil is present it is most likely the front seal.
The timing belt, balancer, lower belt drive will have to be removed to replace it.
Toyota also uses a sealant on the oil pan rather than a gasket, so that may also be the problem.
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Saturday, January 31st, 2009 AT 9:24 AM
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
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Fixed that.
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Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 AT 7:18 PM

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