Timing Cover Leaking Oil !!!

Damn I am so glad i ditched my 2017 TRDOR for the 2019 4 Runner as I noticed the timing cover leaking and along with some other issues decided to trade it in...

 

Well I'm in the club now ! I had my power steering pump replaced in Nov. 2018 and I thought it was leaking again, well after a trip to the dealer they confirmed it was the timing chain cover and cam towers, its a 2016 with 40k. . Dealer had my truck for almost 3 weeks between doing the repair and putting a dent in my hood that was fixed(I used to work at a dealer and things do happen like this) but then the paint chipped off and had to get repainted. The dealer was very helpful and did good work, the tech just pulled the front end and diff. not the entire motor. Needless to say I was pretty bummed but I drive my truck daily, it has been cross county and it does go off road and I haul with it so I'm not ready to trade it in yet.

 

Hi guys, looking to seek some more info as to why this is happening frequently (at least in my case). My truck just hit 100k and I am now having my second leak with the timing cover. I had it first happen just before the warranty was up at 60k. It was replaced under warranty. At 100k, the leak is back and much worse this time around. Toyota basically told me pound sand with any assistance. I will be replacing it again. But does anyone know the main cause as to why these leaks are happening? Shitty gasket, half ass repair with gasket sealant? Any input is much appreciated. This would allow me to know how to move forward with getting it repaired with better quality products or methods.

 

I just traded a ‘17 TRD Sport DC SB. I took it to the dealer for the 35k service and with that leak for the 3rd or 4th time. And the only reason why I originally found out was because I have my own mechanic. The dealers won’t even mention it. Unless they see the oil dripping to the floor. I took the truck the 1st 24 months to the dealer for the free Oil changes. The first oil change I did with my mechanic is when I found out of the leak.
I had not searched the issue here for a while. And now I see this could and should turn into a class action.
I now have a 2021 TRD OR DC. And. Will take it to the dealer for the free oil changes. But every few thousand miles I’m going to have it checked by my mechanic. And this time I’ll be talking to my attorney if it happens again.
Good luck.

 

Am I the only one that is seeing all the greasy parts of your engine over your tonneau cover and over your tailgate?!

They may be doing a good job but wtf.......

 

This is one thing that I think should be done. at least to start building some background
https://www.carcomplaints.com

 

Last night I noticed the leak collection on my PS pump. Thought it was a PS leak until I started searching and realized it's the timing cover. Based on what others describe I'm close to 100% that I'm effected too. I have an appointment with Toyota tomorrow. I bought my truck used CPO, so even though it's a 2016 with 76K miles, I should be covered under the powertrain side of things.

Does anyone know if CPO repairs can be done at any dealer, not just the dealer purchased from? I have no relationship with the dealer I bought the truck from, and they're a lot further from my house than the one I typically use.

I have no idea how long the leak has been occurring for. I'm terrified of how major of a job it is to perform, especially with my aftermarket bumper and winch, and various other add-ons I've accumulated over the years. I'd bet anything the tech who performs the job isn't going to put everything back correctly. How crazy would I be to leave it for now, and see if it gets worse before my CPO warranty runs out? The leak isn't dripping onto the ground (although my skid plate probably catches it), and the truck is never low on oil. I'm starting to wonder if the benefit of the repair is outweighed by the potential complications of the job itself. @Bishop84 , what are your thoughts?

 

When I had mine and it started to leak, I started the process right away as you never know when it can just take a complete dump on you. Took them a little over a week, and the repair paperwork I got back stated they pulled the engine out and tore it down and replaced every gasket as well as the front timing cover one. Definitely a big job.

 

Good point. It's not like it's ever going to get better, it will only get worse. I do all my own work, I hate someone touching my truck but I don't really a choice here, especially if it's covered. The aftermarket add-ons give me pause, but I guess I'm going to have to man up and get over it.

 

Get it done now, take the skids off prior to the visit, they will appreciate it. Heck you can take off the grill if you want to and it will protect it.

Most of us have started to do the reseal in the engine bay now, we no longer remove the motor.

You can ask how they do it, if they do it in car and remove the rack and front diff, they should be using new fluid covered by warranty.

Warranty won't cover a new drive belt unless its contaminated, I would ask they install a new belt that you supply.

 

THANK YOU. Exactly the kind of response I hoped for. You’re a great resource to this community.
What about my aftermarket bumper/winch? It’s not a full bumper just a hybrid. Think they’ll hate me for having to remove that? And my fuse box /wiring through the firewall. I’d hate for someone other than me to need to remove and reinstall that. It’s not a mess but isn’t exactly going to win any awards either.

 

Hybrid bumpers dont really interfere, its the big ass hoop/stinger bumpers we hate.

I hate the damn huge skid plates, more than any bumper. Take it off prior haha.

The aux harness shouldnt be affected, but they remove the engine they remove the harness through the firewall port that is on the passenger side. The other connection is the junction panel by the battery.

Take pictures of your fenders and wiring but don't stress too much.

The CPO will likely have to be done where you bought it from.

 

Thanks again man. I get nervous about having my truck get a yearly state inspection when I’m not the one working on it. But talking with you is reassuring. I have an appointment tomorrow with my usual dealer for an unrelated issue so I’ll see if they can do the job on CPO otherwise I’ll call the one I bought the truck from.

 

Truck was at Toyota today. The tech confirmed that it is the timing cover that is leaking. They took pictures and sent it up the chain, and now they're waiting for Toyota to approve the repair. Really glad I bought certified pre owned. Even if I bought new I wouldn't be covered at this point. This is not the same dealership I bought the truck from, but they are performing the work under the CPO warranty.

I got to speak to the senior tech who will be doing the job. He confirmed what @Bishop84 suggested; not taking out the engine but removing the diff and coming in from underneath. He asked I remove my IFS skid, but said the bumper and electrical mods won't get in his way. I definitely feel better knowing the engine isn't getting removed. He also said he's done over 20 of these jobs by now, which is also helping put me at ease. This is the first time anyone other than me is doing any work on my truck, or really any vehicle of mine since I was a teenager. I know I have to get over it but I'm glad I spoke with him. I'm also glad I found a dealership who is cool about my modified truck and willing to work with me. I'm not going to have the job done until the end of the month because I have a wheeling trip planned the last weekend of June. But once the job is done I'll report back again.

 

you’re lucky!!! Had mine at Toyota today. It’s a 16cpo with around 41k on it. They confirmed the leak and cleaned everything up. They told me they couldn’t tell for sure what was leaking so they added dye than drove it for 35 miles and said nothing showed back up. So now I’m driving it with A/C dye in it and when oil starts to appear again I’ll bring it back to them and go from there.

Happy you’re getting yours repaired!! Hope all goes well! I will agree with you that the Certified Pre Owned is a pretty good deal!

 

Keep watching. It’s only a matter of time before it reappears. Got plenty of miles left in that CPO. I was afraid they were going to tell me it’s a seep and not a leak and that a seep is normal but thankfully they didn’t.

 

For sure! I don’t think it’ll be very long before it shows back up. The dealer I went to is one of the bigger better ones in my area so I’m sure they’ve seen this before. I’m a tech at an independent shop my family owns so I know where they’re coming from with the dye and driving it thing. But again its awesome you’re getting yours done and even better they’re not pulling the motor. Keep us posted on how things go!!

 

The 4runners are afflicted with this as well……

 

I guess I'm glad I found this thread. I have the leak as described here and guess I'll have them look at it when they inspect my frame. I'm @ 53k so now is the time

 

Its easier on 4runner, but very similar.

All GR's are affected, probably 1 in every 1000 or so.

It's not common as people make it out to be.