Oil Dripping Across Front Axle

Hi, new poster here but long-time reader.

My 1996 4Runner recently developed a leak with the following characteristics.

1) Likely leaking all the time but when it comes to a park all is fine till about the 10 minute mark. Then there is a drip that lasts about 10 minutes.
2) The drip is from the axle but the oil is spread across the axle so it drips at multiple spots (as shown on picture). This seems to indicate the oil leak is above the axle. This is a picture from about an hour after the car is stopped so only two drips pools remain on axle but just after stopping there can be 8-10 pooled drips that eventually drop to cardboard.
3) The oil for the vehicle does drop slowly. I have to add a quart about every 2-3 weeks.

Thanks for any responses!



Initially thought this was power steering fluid and replaced a few things related to that but no go.

 

Correction. I guess that is actually the steering rack. Thanks again for any response.

 

Valve Cover gaskets and the round caps on the rear of the heads?

 

$400.00 for valve cover gaskets
Then still leaked:
$400.00 for the caps on the rear the heads

I think they did a couple other things too

 

Did you have this done? It does seem to be leaking from the bottom of the engine rather than the top though. But maybe? I just can't seem to find the source.

 

At the dealership I trust.

 

The guy at the local tire shop, that is awesome. Seemed to think it was a front axle leak, NOT.

 

Your posts on this thread make no sense.

 

Have you looked at the left and right sides of the engine to see if there is oil and gunk along the external edges of the valve covers?

I have this same issue, though it doesn't drip quite as much, but everything is covered in oil. But I KNOW my valve covers are leaking, because I can see the gunk accumulating on each side. The bolts on mine were loose and I snugged them down yesterday (don't overtighten and break them!), but I still plan to replace the gaskets soon. But I may have other leaks too, like maybe the caps SR5 mentioned. Oil pan gasket is a possibility too, but if its only that vthen your heads will be clean

 

You can smell the oil and you’ll know what type of oil is leaking. Doubt that’s power steering fluid or you’d be fully out of it.

 

What makes no sense? They put it on a lift, saw something wet/dripping on front transfer case area. Then said "It needs a new gasket there let me get a quote." So I went to the dealer and it was valve cover.

 

Check your power steering reservoir, and confirm what you have in there in order to compare it with your leak.

I say this because technically, that fluid should be somewhat reddish-brown because you're supposed to use ATF.

But, only you would know what's in your reservoir and power steering system.

If it were gear oil, you would know by its unique smell. And if it is gear oil, one of your cv axle seals isn't seated correctly and warrants replacement.

Super quick and easy to do. Just make sure you top off your front diff if you do have to replace the seal (confirming it was gear oil that you're leaking).

 

That makes sense out of it. Thank you.

 

Oil leaks on these engines are typically valve cover seal or half moon seal leaks or the rear main seal. I'm guessing you have a rear main seal leak. I have something similar happening where I have oil on my steering rack. I did the valve cover seals and half moons and it appears there is no leaking there anymore. So I assume I have a rear main seal leak.

 

I could be wrong, but I don't think its the rear main. I just replaced mine a few weeks ago and I still have oil in that area on mine.

 

You can get the glasses and the glowing oil additive and a black light and you'll figure it out.