Does Oil Treatment/ Stop Leak work? (gasket, valve, engine, replace)

[censusdata]

My 1991 is springing leaks like a geyser in Yellowstone. Everytime I get one oil leak sealed another one starts. Would Oil Treatment or Stop Leak help any?

[M3 Mitch]

It might help, although, if a modern engine is leaking oil, I would first check the PCV system to make sure the blowby gases are not pressurizing the crankcase.

What make and model 1991, where is it leaking oil?

[Magnum Mike]

Originally Posted by censusdata

My 1991 is springing leaks like a geyser in Yellowstone. Everytime I get one oil leak sealed another one starts. Would Oil Treatment or Stop Leak help any?

Most of those instant stop-leak products work temporarily, a couple of days at the most, to get you to a service station so you won't lose any more oil, or any fluids in other components. I also heard in the past that if you keep using these products, they can clog up the engine, or whatever is leaking, and can do damage on them because some of them have abrasives.

If the leak is from a gasket, those stop-leaks will work temporarily, but if it's from a front or rear bearing seal in the engine, the only way you're going to be able to fix the leak is by taking it to a service shop.

[censusdata]

I just had the valve covers replaced. I took it to my family mechanic and he said said it has a leak near the timing belt. He needs me to have the engine cleaned so he can find exactly where it is and fill it. He wants to have a month to fix it

I just wondered if those products would help in the meantime

[Drover]

A leak by the timing belt almost certainly indicates a leaking crankshaft and/or camshaft seal. Stop-leak isn't going to do a thing for you, not even temporarily.

[censusdata]

By the way it's a 1991 Toyota Camry

[EdJones]

A month to fix the problem. That's a pretty slow mechanic

Start by pressure washing your engine. Use heavy duty degreaser, and you might be able to see where the leak is coming from.

[M3 Mitch]

91 Camry, with 3S-FE engine? (2.2 L 4-cyl)? In that case, do check the hose going from the valve cover to the intake, these do tend to sludge up. Once you clean the engine up, you may find that the head gasket itself is leaking oil out between the head and block. Check and see if you have any oil in your radiator.

Reason I mention this is I have an 87, did the timing belt and some other work, only to have to change the head gasket right after. If you do the cam/crank seals on the timing belt side, it makes sense to replace the timing belt, water pump, etc. at the same time. Also check the oil pump, I have seen the gasket around the outside of the oil pump cover start leaking, you have to get the timing belt etc. off to get at that.

What I am talking about here is a moderately involved job, probably more than the average handyman wants to take on, and if I were to do it during free time and weekends it might indeed take me a month.

These are damn good cars though, fix this right and you'll be set for a long time.

[M3 Mitch]

Re-reading Magnum Mike's comment, do stay away from Restore, from what I have read (including a report from a British oil distributor/lab company) it is indeed abrasive.

If you are incredibly lucky, you may find the PCV hose plugged and changing that *may* get the leak to slow down enough that you can put the work off a while.

Sorry to reply to my own post!

[steel7]

My 91 tbird leaks 1 qt of oil every 500 miles.Its a major oil seal & oil stop leak is worthless.It would cost me approx $500.00 to fix the oil leak.I just add a qt of supertech oil ( 10-40) every 500 miles.Its made by quaker state & sold at walmart for around $2.00 a qt.

I avg less than 1000 miles a month driving so its worth spending 4 bucks a month on oil.Stop oil leak is only temporary & will cause damage to your engine.I have 136,000 miles on my 18 yr old car.No major engine work done far ( "crosses fingers ").