1997 RAV4 oil usage

[Jango]

Working on friend's 1997 RAV4 that leaks oil all over the place. We tried AT205 a few months ago which did help but it didn't last but a few months. Changed oil from 5W30 to 10W40 high mileage Valvoline Maxlife. I also replaced the PCV valve, PCV grommet that fits into valve cover and the rubber hose that connects to the PCV valve. That hose was dried out and cracked on ends when I pulled it off. The old PCV valve rattled when I shook it but not sure if it was good.

It has only been 200 miles since the oil change and the oil is still on the full mark which is unusual. It was going through a quart every 600-800 miles. Hopefully, this holds up. Would you think the improvement was more from the change in oil or to the PCV valve changes?

 

[HyundaiAbuser]

unless you see a difference on the ground I would go with pcv

 

[GI_GRIFF]

I also replaced the PCV valve, PCV grommet that fits into valve cover and the rubber hose that connects to the PCV valve. That hose was dried out and cracked on ends when I pulled it off.

Obviously, this is just an opinion, if the improvement was significant like this appears to be, I would have to guess it is the new PCV valve, grommet and hose that caused the improvement.

 

[Urshurak776]

I would go to Valvoline Restore and Protect. Clean up those Piston Rings.

 

[AZjeff]

Being in Phx is it all dried up and sunburnt or has it been garage kept? I keep thinking a first gen 2D RAV4 would be a fun project car.

 

[Jango]

Being in Phx is it all dried up and sunburnt or has it been garage kept? I keep thinking a first gen 2D RAV4 would be a fun project car.

Not garaged. Paint is burnt and is now totally matte looking finish. Interior is actually decent and it runs well. Has just over 200k miles. She didn't want to use full synthetic because her father told her it would cause leaks (which it already had plenty of). That is why I didn't go with Restore and Protect but if this test goes well maybe I can talk her into trying it.

 

[Hirev]

I could be the PVC valve time will tell. A bad PCV will do bad things to seals & gaskets for sure. My experience with high mileage oils and old seals is they can help some but if you stop using them the leaks come back so there is that part.

 

[GI_GRIFF]

Working on friend's 1997 RAV4 that leaks oil all over the place. We tried AT205 a few months ago which did help but it didn't last but a few months. Changed oil from 5W30 to 10W40 high mileage Valvoline Maxlife. I also replaced the PCV valve, PCV grommet that fits into valve cover and the rubber hose that connects to the PCV valve. That hose was dried out and cracked on ends when I pulled it off. The old PCV valve rattled when I shook it but not sure if it was good.

It has only been 200 miles since the oil change and the oil is still on the full mark which is unusual. It was going through a quart every 600-800 miles. Hopefully, this holds up. Would you think the improvement was more from the change in oil or to the PCV valve changes?

Lots of people have had some success with reducing oil leaks using this Liqui Moly product, may or may not help. People here love to hate on Liqui Moly, kind of like people suffering from TDS these days! LOL! Anyhow here is an Amazon link if you want to try it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CPL8WY...rid=1DK4HPQX8WAI&sprefix=liqui+moly+2020&th=1

 

[Japanese]

Working on friend's 1997 RAV4 that leaks oil all over the place.

What does that mean—"all over the place"? Any specific location—top, bottom, front, rear, left, right of the engine?
Just wash out the engine and see where is leaking from.
Does the engine smokes blue on start up or anytime when taking off at a traffic light?—that may mean valve stem seals. It runs the 3S-FE engine which was used in the Camry since late 80s.

Most likely some seals are hardened and dried out. If it's all over it might leaks somewhere from the top the engine—distributor O-ring seal. Check out also the oil pressure housing (it's plastic), oil pump housing seal, front engine seal.

 

[OM617YOTA]

Love 90's Toyotas. Great car.

 

[Jango]

The distributor had dried oil residue so I cleaned it but it doesn't look oily now. No oil front valve cover but backside is oily but not sure if it is fresh. Oil stains on pavement underneath passenger front of engine.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Working on friend's 1997 RAV4 that leaks oil all over the place. We tried AT205 a few months ago which did help but it didn't last but a few months. Changed oil from 5W30 to 10W40 high mileage Valvoline Maxlife. I also replaced the PCV valve, PCV grommet that fits into valve cover and the rubber hose that connects to the PCV valve. That hose was dried out and cracked on ends when I pulled it off. The old PCV valve rattled when I shook it but not sure if it was good.

It has only been 200 miles since the oil change and the oil is still on the full mark which is unusual. It was going through a quart every 600-800 miles. Hopefully, this holds up. Would you think the improvement was more from the change in oil or to the PCV valve changes?

Just out of curiosity how many miles on this vehicle any drip spots where it is parked?

 

[Lawnman23]

MaxLife does a great job at softening old seals. Run it for a few OCI’s and monitor the oil leakage/consumption.

Reevaluate if a change is needed at that point.