2017 Tacoma dying at 177k miles

Front timing cover has given way. Leaking bad. Trading in for 2020 as the repair is $4,300

 

thanks for posting. i run my truck super hard so it's good to see these reports. I'm at 67k myself. also a 2017 and with all the updates.

 

This reminds me of the timing cover leaks on Toyota's 3.5 V6 that they used in the late 2000s. My wife's Lexus RX350 with that engine has a leak, quoted $3k to fix (the car is only worth $5k), so we just deal with it and have a ghetto piece of cardboard on the garage floor to catch the drips.

Really hope this doesn't become a big issue on the 3rd gen V6 engine.

 

You put 50k+ on your truck a year? That's crazy. Are you running a taxi service?

 

Sounds like a good move.

Thanks for posting.

 

I'm confused, you have 177k miles on a 2017 and need a $4,300 repair. How is spending over $35k on a new truck, a better move than spending $4,300 to make the repair? It's not like you have a favorable trade-in with a high mileage truck, especially considering it needs a $4,300 repair.

 

Is the dealer aware of the leak and still giving you full trade in value? Or you leaving that part undisclosed (I wouldnt blame you). Still 177k is nothing to snuff at. My buddy is a master tech and says he's seen a few Tacoma's with the issue, but not many along with Highlanders, etc. I do ask why you would opt for another truck with the same powertrain, I don't think they updated the gasket so may still be prone to leak (not 100% on this someone may need to chime in). Either way cool beans and good luck.

 

I can't wrap my head around $4,300 for a freakin timing cover leak... that can't be real in any realm of reality. Not that I fear paying that, it's that if it's not warranty work, no one else is touching my truck, I do my own work.

This has to be a Friday thread thing, please tell me it is.

 

I’d have a independent shop give you a quote.
Dealers will always ask top dollar from you, I was quoted $4000 For shocks on my old ml350 Mercedes.
Independent guy got it done for $700 with factory shocks and labor.

yes I made sure they were factory.
I work at a dealer and only use their service department for warranty work. Never for anything out of warranty.

 

I'm guessing it's so expensive because a timing cover is an engine out service? That's how it was on my wife's 2007 Lexus

 

Yeah the pull the whole engine. A fuck ton of stuff has to come off to pull the cover. Almost everything comes off. There's a time lapse floating around somewhere

 

Are the timing chain covers on these trucks plastic or metal?

 

You can’t justify spending the $4,300 but spending over $35k on a new truck is the better move here?

Help me understand.

 

If I was in your shoes I’d fix it, but would never pay the dealer to do it. I’d bet a really good independent shop could do it for atleast 15% less. I plan on driving my truck as long as you have, and I’d be glad to fix that problem to keep the truck going.

 

Dang! Back in feb and mar you were having no issues, doing 15k mile oil chg intervals.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-is-still-where-it’s-at.655140/#post-22833727

 

If the OP drives 50k miles per year I'll bet he uses the truck for work. It can make good sense to spend a little extra for a reliable, warrantied work vehicle ... especially when a day in the shop can mean $hundreds+ in lost revenue and unhappy customers.

 

If I wanted a third gen, then I guess I should look for one with a leaky gasket that needs fixing.

Not sure that qualifies as 'dying' though.

 

WTF is a "front timing cover"?