Hello Must say thanks to all of you who respond to the questions on this list. I have learned alot since joining. My question is this. I have a '93 4Runner, V6 engine, 139k on odometer. Bought it second hand from a dealer and it runs amazingly well. The only 2 problems I have had are as follows: The rear end has valve, I think it is a pressure relief valve or a filler for changing the rear end oil. I drive for 10 minutes, park it, and a half hour later, a couple drops come from the valve. Been told its from wrong kind of oil or its been over-filled. But I've owned it for a month and the problem hasn't stopped. Not a big mechanical problem, I'm guessing, but the landlord won't like her marking her territory like that. My other problem is that after driving for 20-30 minutes, the engine oil pressure drops. Almost to the point of "shut her down and check if I've lost a quart on the road." This is using the original dash mounted oil gage. They can be unreliable, but I don't think so in this case. Of course, 90 degree heat with 60-70 per cent humidity couldn't be helping. Any help with either problem would be great. The local mechanics are backed up for weeks and the shop I used to go to was destroyed in Katrina. And finding a good repair shop is like finding a good G.P. doctor. Hard to find and ya hate to lose them. Thanks a ton. Mike

Mike, Can't comment on the slight leak (I suggest a piece of cardboard :)), but the oil pressure drop could be from two places - either it's areal drop or it's your sending unit. Since the sending unit is the cheap fix, go with it first. If that does not correct the problem, then you will need to find out if it's the gauge or a real pressure drop. If real, it could be a blockage in the oil pump... a bad thing. I'd go for the easy fix first. Someone may chime in with how to change out the oil pressure sending unit. Charlie

Oil pressure sending unit was my thought too. I've had a couple to go bad over the years. They are easy to change