Oil Leak

Just changed the oil in my 2016 (V6) Taco at 10K and noticed a few drops on the garage floor when I started. Right side and coming from up on the engine somewhere. Can't really pinpoint, even with the skid plate off. I made a dealer appointment for Thursday morning. Any ideas?

 

Did you try a search? There have been a few reports of a problem requiring repair. Like this one.

Of course we're assuming you didn't just spill some.

 

No spills. Noticed before I started. I'll try a search, thanks.

 

I gave you a link to a thread from a search above. Worth reading.

 

Just did, and it sounds like it could be my problem as well. I guess I'll find out Thursday when it goes to the dealer. At least now I know it is a recurring problem and can ask about the sensors.

 

And the answer was?

 

Answer was timing belt cover gasket was leaking. Oil accumulated on the power steering pump and eventually slowly dripped. No gasket set in house so it was ordered. Delivery is iffy due to holiday so I will take it back Tuesday for repairs. Quoted as a 12 hour job per the manual and was told to be ready to give up truck for 3 days (min).
They were hopeful to fix by removing the radiator and working back to engine. However, did not rule out engine removal. No questions about loaner and will pick that up Tuesday as well. Not thrilled about this type of repair this early into ownership, but dealer (Berglund Toyota, Lynchburg Va) seems to be doing everything possible to make it right. Update pending when I get it back.

 

Good luck with the repair OP...hopefully the engine will not have to be pulled, sounds like you have a good dealership to work with.

 

Update. Picked up truck today. Dealer had it for two working days and completed the repair. They cleaned truck and I also asked for an engine steam clean so I could continue monitoring for any leaks. This was done and the view under the hood looks showroom new. Service Manager was in a meeting when I got there so I'm not sure whether the engine was pulled or not. Now the waiting game begins to see if the repairs were effective.

 

Been slow with keeping up with this saga so bear with me. Got truck back and the leak returned within a couple of weeks. Took it back to dealer and THIS time they kept it for four days. I stopped by to check on it at the end of day three and saw my truck sitting on a lift with no wheels, exhaust, transfer case and transmission sitting on the floor nearby, hood and grill in the bed and the engine swinging from a hoist in the ceiling. Not too happy. According to the master mechanic, leak was coming from timing cover/engine block interface. There are no gaskets for this, only assembly sealant. He said he knew it looked bad, but it was the best way to fix it right.

Got truck back and started driving again and monitoring for leaks and hoping all the parts were put back in. It took from December 2016 until last week to put another 5K miles on the truck. Changed the oil again (and I highly encourage others to at least change your own oil so you can see what's going on under there) and saw more leaking oil. Back to the dealer again to get the leak checked and perform the recall inspection on the rear differential. This time the leak is coming from an oil journal plug in the right cylinder head. The fix is to replace the head. I now own a truck that has had three substantial engine oil leaks, one major engine repair and another major engine repair pending. All this within 15 months and 15K miles. They had to order the head and the repair is scheduled for next week sometime.

The next day I decided I had had enough. Went back to the dealer and spoke with the Sales Manager to give a complete history of the truck, and explain why my confidence level is rapidly eroding with this particular vehicle. I asked him to price a trade for the same truck in a 2017, and in doing so to consider what I have been through and how much I don't want to own this truck after the warranty is gone. He seemed pretty sympathetic to my situation, and it was also a couple of days until the end of the month and they were trying to hit some good sales numbers. My truck is paid for with title in hand and all I wanted was a fresh start for a reasonable out -the-door difference. It took two days of negotiating, but I was able to make a deal we could both live with. Will pick up new truck on Monday.

Again, please change your own oil, or at least get under there and take a good look prior to taking to dealer for the oil change. I'm not convinced the head leak would have been noted had I just dropped it off. I hate to feel that way, but the leak was relatively minor and I just don't think they would have addressed it if I had not pointed it out.

 

Jesus, what a mess. Glad the dealership worked out a reasonable deal with you. Amazed you had the courage to go with a 2017 after all that.