strtrcril87

A week ago I changed the oil and noticed only 3 quarts came out. I thought maybe it just burned it, but today I noticed a spot in the snow under where the engine is...

It looks like on the back of the head there's an oil stained area...could a bad valve cover gasket really cause it to lose 1 quart in 3k miles?

strtrcril87

I think I found the culprit. The drain plug gasket rotted/broke and is gone so even though the plug is TIGHT, it's not effective.

TrevorS

iTrader: (1)

That'll do it! Good find . May want to verify the seepage in the head area is actually the valve cover gasket and not the head gasket.

strtrcril87

I'll get a picture of the mark on the head when it isn't like Antarctica outside. lol
It basically is just a stained area that starts where the valve cover meets the head. I took off the plastic engine cover so I could feel the head in the back for any fresh areas...no oil, just dirt. heh

The oil spot under the car was in the area of the drain plug so I'm hoping this is what is wrong.
I'm not about to put a gasket on now since I just changed the oil last week but I'll periodically check the dip stick to make sure it's not worse than it was. (1 qt per 3k)

jnaval

I replace the drain plug gasket with a new one every oil change. It has a rubber face on both sides which render it useless once loosened after being installed for 5K.

strtrcril87

I just bought a drain plug that came with an o ring from Auto Zone...after looking at it a bit longer I think I should just take my lazy butt to the dealership and buy a few OEM gaskets.

Gutling

iTrader: (1)

You should replace the gasket at every oil change, its pretty common for us to get a car or two a week with a oil leak and turns out its the plug (no gasket, 2 gaskets, bad gasket lol) If you go to a Toyota dealership and ask a tech for some gaskets they probably would not mind giving you some.