4.1 model oil pan gasket

[4x4 rav]

hello rav4world members!
i have a tiny oil leak, which i only notice during warmups. i had previoulsy replaced the camshaft seal, and for that project, i had to support the motor using a floor jack with a 2x4 piece of wood.
i checked around the valve cover and around the timing belt cover, and didn't see any bleeding. but i noticed wetness at the far right side at the seam between oil pan and the block ( in the back). the bleeding occurs only during warmups.

Does that ring a bell with anybody?

If it's the oil pan gasket, which i think it is, can somebody give me instructions?
can i unbolt the oil pan without unbolting the front exhaust pipe? ( i don't want the exhaust bolts to break off on me).

thanks for advices.

[4x4 rav]

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[4x4 rav]

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[4x4 rav]

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[4x4 rav]

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[ashtonybb]

Originally Posted by 4x4 rav

If it's the oil pan gasket, which i think it is, can somebody give me instructions?
can i unbolt the oil pan without unbolting the front exhaust pipe? ( i don't want the exhaust bolts to break off on me).

thanks for advices.

is this 2000 model?
hi: so if there's no leak from above, and you want to remove and replace the gasket of the oil pan you may do so.

1. provided you already drain the engine oil.
2. remove the dipstick and the 17 bolts the 2 nuts.
3. insert a some sort of a blade to pry b/w the cylinder block and oil pan (be careful not to damage the oil pan flange.)

[4x4 rav]

Originally Posted by ashtonybb

is this 2000 model?
hi: so if there's no leak from above, and you want to remove and replace the gasket of the oil pan you may do so.

1. provided you already drain the engine oil.
2. remove the dipstick and the 17 bolts the 2 nuts.
3. insert a some sort of a blade to pry b/w the cylinder block and oil pan (be careful not to damage the oil pan flange.)

it's a 1997 rav4
are there 17 bolts? where do the 2 nuts go?
can that be done without removing front exhaust pipe?

the oil bleeding happens only during warmups. does that sound like oil pan gasket?

[4x4 rav]

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[kevcules]

I replied to your other thread also....
If you can find the "tiny" leak , my advice is to use some RTV silcone . Clean the excess oil off and apply a big gob of that stuff and smooth it out a little. It works great.
If you want to replace the pan gasket, it depends on the vehicle. You may have to lift the engine to access the bolts ,lower the pan enough and remove the old gasket. For the year Rav you have , patch it with silicone is what I would do ,if you can.
The type of leak you describe does sound like a cam or crank seal. They tend to seal better once everything warms up. You say you replaced the cam seal already??? It might not be seated right??
These newer front wheel drive engines are still unknown to me , haven't had to do much maintenance on them.......yet!

[4x4 rav]

Originally Posted by kevcules

I replied to your other thread also....
If you can find the "tiny" leak , my advice is to use some RTV silcone . Clean the excess oil off and apply a big gob of that stuff and smooth it out a little. It works great.
If you want to replace the pan gasket, it depends on the vehicle. You may have to lift the engine to access the bolts ,lower the pan enough and remove the old gasket. For the year Rav you have , patch it with silicone is what I would do ,if you can.
The type of leak you describe does sound like a cam or crank seal. They tend to seal better once everything warms up. You say you replaced the cam seal already??? It might not be seated right??
These newer front wheel drive engines are still unknown to me , haven't had to do much maintenance on them.......yet!

i'm still not convinced it's the cam seal a friend of mine and i replaced, and i hope it's not after all the time i put in replacing the cam seal. I struggled to remove the engine mount, and again when re-installing it. there must be an easier way. somebody who works at my local parts store said there was a dedicated tool for this pesky engine mount ( he said he also worked at a toyota dealership), and that only the toyota dealers had the engine mount tool.
Besides, the leak is at the back of the engine, not coming from the side of the timing belt cover, thus in my opinion ( i hope so!), disputing the suggestion that it was a cam or a crank seal leak.
there is wetness near the seam if the oil pan in the back. i only see oil stain on the ground during warmups.
how about using a dye in the oil to detect the leak. i never used it before. there is a special light that's used to see the bleeding. i wonder if it's affordable or for rent. have you used the dye before?