Oil Leak - Corolla '93 1600 Exec 5 Sp 5dr Hatch

[peterpan]

Hi folks - I'm new here but not new to toyota! My Daughter has got hold of an '93 Corolla executive with the 1600 engine. Nice car and previously well looked after by the second owner since '95. Its done 140k miles and has been regularly serviced.

However, it has developed a strange oil leak - not burning it nor using it but dripping it on to the exhaust pipe and smoking when stopped.

I cannot see where the leak is from but I to my mind it can only come from the cam cover (doesn't apper to be) head joint or the sump. None of these have ever been disturbed and if, as the previous owner told me, it's coming from the head I can see no part of the gasket at the rear of the block that has oil drain holes back to the sum - they appear to be central at the front of the block (car).

Can anyone throw any light on this perplexing situation as it's losing about 1 liter every 2 weeks and there is no mess except when stopped where it drips off the exhaust onto the floor.

Any idea the cost of fixing if it had to be done professionally??? I used to be a pro but since I left the trade have sold most of my "gear" and only have the basic tools now.

Hugh - peterpan.

[4afte]

if this is the 4A-FE engine, if you duaghter is driving it 'enthusiastily' it will consume oil, as this engine was designed for economy it doesn't drain oil particularly well at higher revs. don't get me wrong they last for a long time (accidentally drive mine around without almost any oil in the sump and it still drives today!) but the cam cover gasket is prone to degrade, i may have a spare if you're interested if not you can get one on eBay in a Head Gasket set on from Mr.T the other place is again from the cylinder head, it might be the camshaft blanking plug as this is supposed to be sealed by instant gasket which may have deterioated.

[peterpan]

if this is the 4A-FE engine, if you duaghter is driving it 'enthusiastily' it will consume oil, as this engine was designed for economy it doesn't drain oil particularly well at higher revs. don't get me wrong they last for a long time (accidentally drive mine around without almost any oil in the sump and it still drives today!) but the cam cover gasket is prone to degrade, i may have a spare if you're interested if not you can get one on ebay in a Head Gasket set on from Mr.T the other place is again from the cylinder head, it might be the camshaft blanking plug as this is supposed to be sealed by instant gasket which may have deterioated.

Thanks for the info. She is a pretty sedate driver and the previous owner was as well only taking from home to the local college where she worked and back again in the evening - approx 25 miles a day and then to the local Tesco at weekends. Engine is quiet and pulls well except for this annoying "leak".

I'll pressure wash the engine bay after a spray with the good old GUNK and see what transpires.

In the meantime if anyone else can come up with ideas I'd be more than grateful!

Hugh (peterpan)