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2016 Toyota 4runner limited oil leak

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Soumya834, May 13, 2025 at 6:33 PM.

  1. May 13, 2025 at 6:33 PM
    #1
    Soumya834

    Soumya834 [OP] New Member

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    I'm planning to buy a used 2016 4runner limited from a Toyota dealer(~70k miles- single owner and no accident report from carfax);
    Dealer msrp: ~$30.5k
    During dealer inspection , they informed me that there was a oil leakage which they are trying to diagnose and fix (Also battery replaced)

    Question: is it worth it to buy the vehicle after knowing the fact it had oil leakage issue?

    Any suggestion/recommendation is highly appreciated!

    Note: I didn't pay yet and vehicle is with the dealer(this will be my 1st Toyota car and I don't have much knowledge about car)
     
  2. May 13, 2025 at 6:41 PM
    #2
    BS67

    BS67 8404 USMC Doc

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    Welcome. I'd make sure they fix the leak before you purchase and then they gurantee or warranty their work in writing.
     
  3. May 13, 2025 at 6:50 PM
    #3
    Soumya834

    Soumya834 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks! It's helpful
     
    BS67 likes this.
  4. May 13, 2025 at 6:57 PM
    #4
    Hungryhawk

    Hungryhawk New Member

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    See if records exist for under hood and under vehicle lubes & fluids. It is relatively low miles , but lube of the 4WD components is very important for you as next possible owner.
    Spend a few hours reading and learning all the 4WD component names and lube requirements.
    You will greatly benefit.
     
  5. May 13, 2025 at 7:39 PM
    #5
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

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    Depends on the nature of the leak.
     
    Soumya834[OP] likes this.
  6. May 13, 2025 at 7:44 PM
    #6
    Soumya834

    Soumya834 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the response! They(car mechanic)are trying to figure it for last two days but can't find out root cause of the leak
     
  7. May 13, 2025 at 7:59 PM
    #7
    Airdam

    Airdam New Member

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    I have seen quite a few oil pans leak, and if its 4wd they are a bear to fix. You gotta pull the whole front end out of it to get the oil pan off which makes the job a bear, and expensive. Its easier to live with a oil spot on the concrete than pay the 10+ hours of labor they are going to charge you to fix it.
     
  8. May 13, 2025 at 8:02 PM
    #8
    Hungryhawk

    Hungryhawk New Member

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    There is a possibility it is a Main Seal oil leak. This seal is the connection of trans to engine-usually inside the bell housing. Results in oil all over under the underside of the runner due to wind when driving.Taking tranny out to access the seal is very costly.
    Or, perhaps a valve cover seal. Two very different issues.
    You need lots more info and photos.
    Hiring an honest mechanic-that knows 4runners - to evaluate this truck seems a smart move.
    Dealers are generally not fully honest. Especially their sales team.
     
  9. May 13, 2025 at 8:18 PM
    #9
    CygnusX-4

    CygnusX-4 Member

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    Welcome. A Toyota dealer trying to figure out an oil leak for two days? That's a red flag, move on.
     
    Saker likes this.
  10. May 13, 2025 at 9:40 PM
    #10
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A トヨタ純正男娼

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    That's if the leak is at the upper aluminum oil pan. Lower steel pan with the oil drain plug is easy enough to replace.
     
  11. May 14, 2025 at 6:11 AM
    #11
    catbrown357

    catbrown357 New Member

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    There's a bunch of suggestions as to what the source of the leak may be, which is fine. However, you haven't yet purchased the vehicle, right? If a Toyota dealer can't find the leak, how can you trust them to actually fix the leak? Move on. In fact, I'm not even sure why they're advertising a vehicle for sale for $30.5K with a leak. That's some shady shit.
     
    5thToy and Saker like this.
  12. May 14, 2025 at 6:18 AM
    #12
    sympley76

    sympley76 New Member

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    Definitely move on.
     
    Saker likes this.
  13. May 14, 2025 at 8:39 AM
    #13
    shooter1231

    shooter1231 New Member

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    Since they did tell you about the oil leak beforehand - I maybe would have given them a chance to fix it. As stated above - it could be a simple issue that could be reliably repaired. However, if the Toyota dealer has actually had one of their mechanics looking at this for 2+ days and they are telling you they can't find the source of the leak - run from this deal as if you were on fire.
     
  14. May 14, 2025 at 7:47 PM
    #14
    Impractical buy

    Impractical buy New Member

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    Just because it’s in the shop for 2 days, doesn’t mean that anyone is actually working on it for 2 days. There may be other priorities in play.
     
  15. May 14, 2025 at 9:50 PM
    #15
    LuLu

    LuLu New Member

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    This is a car destined for Dealers auction - sold as Red Flag
    Except the price is so ridiculously low to ignore.
    My 2c

    This is a very honest dealership - IMO
     

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