Oil leak despite multiple repairs

Hello everyone! I have a 1999 4runner that was purchased 2001 as a demo. I've had the vehicle since. I don't have the new caritis. One of my favorite things is detailing my runner. My runner rarely has had to have repairs. I've replaced things because of age and wear and tear.
I've joined for several reasons, but the real drive to my joining is a recent event.
I started smelling burn from engine compartment, so I took it to the dealership for an evaluation for the whole car.
The major result was I have an oil leak from a broken gasket seal. To date, my runner is in for its 3rd time to get fixed. This time they have implied I had it jimmied. The only thing I want is it to be repaired. So much to the situation but this is the nutshell. Time for corporate to be involved.
I'm a very calm person and it isn't my thing to be irate, yelling and make a scene.
Any advice, concerns, actions?

 

I don’t quite follow, you’re being blamed for the leak? It’s a 25+ year old car and I don’t think cause even matters.

I’d watch the oil level/leak and take it to a reputable independent shop. I doubt this is a job only a dealer can do. Dealer labor can often cost more.

 

Welcome!

 

Agreed. And sometimes the dealers don't even have techs that know the older vehicles very well anymore. Search out a good indie Toyota specialist.

 

welcome

 

It was inferred to me that I purposely had someone mess with the repair that had been done. Instead of them taking ownership that they are unable to to do the repair, hence 4th time in all together. My sole intention is to just get my vehicle fixed. Now reading the responses I will look for a shop that can do the repairs correctly. I am looking at dealerships differently now. Thank you for your insight!

 

Ah I see, so their belief is that the repair was damaged by you. That was the fourth time you brought it back? Incredible.

 

Welcome

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

You need to put fluorescent additive in the oil, run the car for half an hour and with the yellow glasses, look for the glow.

It's usually 1 of 3 areas.
Valve covers gaskets and half moons.
Oil cooler on the side of the block.
Rear main seal.

Maybe it could be from the oil pan or the front main seal, but that's unusual. The glow test should tell them exactly where it is coming from.

So far I have used

$35 AT-205 Seal Leak Stopper 8 Ounce - 2 Pack

AT-205 to fix an oil leak of my own. This was after I redid my valve covers and half moons and oil cooler and verified no more leaks there. Pretty sure mine is\was a rear main which means I'd have to pull the transmission. So far things seemed to have dried up.

 

First I want to Thank all of you for the Welcome to the group! Also I want to say Thank you for the insights/comments to my situation. I am very glad I have joined this Forum/group.
Regards!
Runner

 

If you're willing to share your general location, some members may have shop recommendations as well.
I would consider starting a new thread for that though with a title that that reflects what you are seeking.
Oh, and I forgot to mention above...welcome.

 

Never use stop leak

 

I hear ya. To be honest, it's really not bad advice.

Everything I've read and the tests I've seen done says that the

$35 AT-205 Seal Leak Stopper 8 Ounce - 2 Pack

AT-205 isn't the typical gum-up-the-system stop leak. It's "supposed" to make seals more pliable so they stop the leak like they're supposed to. It's not "supposed" to swell them like other additives do which makes them disintegrate. Worst case for me I just have to do the repair "the right way" and get the transmission pulled. But for now, things are going OK. I've had my 4Runner for 22 years as a daily driver and plan on running her till she can't chooch no more. I'll know for a fact if this stuff caused any damage eventually.

I agree, good to be very wary of these things and I would NOT use ANYTHING else as I haven't seen anything else test out better than this stuff.

As an aside, I would NEVER EVER use any coolant stop-leaks...those are the devil. You can get by as a temp fix on SOME engines, but you have to know which ones don't have narrow coolant passages that are easily clogged. Best to just not use those AT ALL.