Timing Cover Leaking Oil !!!

Sorry man, it’s clear from some of the people in this thread that the leak returns also.. they use the same gasket material.. what a shame.. was an issue with the 4.0 but at least it was at high miles not freaken 20k. I thought this issue nowadays only plagued the tundras. Guess ill just get a long arsed warranty and sell it when it’s up. I’m sure it’s still more reliable then the wrangler, just not by a longshot like I had predicted.

 

They will take care of you if they didn't properly fix it. Be sure you bring it back in and document your concerns. I am assuming you did not have thd repair done a year ago... They might still take care of you a proper repair should obviously last more than a year..

Mine was "fixed" twice. The first time was done for the PO. I think they fucked up more than they fixed the first time. Valve-covers were leaking, one was cracked... I'm sure the PO did not scrutinize the repair the same way I did.

When they fixed it last time they did pull the motor (Oct of 2020) they even called in an outside tech to do the repair as, I'm guessing, they did not have anyone qualified at the facility. I have about 10k miles on the repair and as far as I can tell it seems to be holding up.

Make them stand by their work. I feel like Toyota is pretty good for that... I wish you luck!

 

It wouldn’t be an issue if they didn’t use the same exact gasket maker as the first time it leaked.. it will continue to leak over and over again until they change that gasket maker, forget what its called.. but it’s shyt and breaks down fast..doesn’t matter who installs it, it will come back when youre out of warranty and drain your wallet.

 

This is still an issue only because people are only complaining in places like this. Toyota is not going to fix the problem just because of complains in Tacoma world. Complains need to start going to where it will hit their main concern. And that is selling vehicles. As long as that doesn’t start happening. The problem is going to continue been ignored.
Hopefully it won’t happen again to the one I just got after trading in a ‘17 with the leak for the 4th time. But if it does. I’m hopping enough people have complain to the right places. So that it will be fixed correctly and done.

 

I think the man hours each dealer is putting into fixing this issue speaks volumes.

 

The new sealant they used is made by permatex. I checked into it closely. The service manager who I know well said they changed to the permatex in 2018. So I’m assuming the sorted a problem and have been quietly fixing it for those that make a stink, without issuing a tsb or recall. The service manager when I asked if it was the power steering pump he looked very quickly said “nope. Timing cover seal”. Said there were a bunch in 16 and 17. Said usually they could be fixed just by snugging bolts. Said he never saw one as bad as mine. So in suspicious this is why Toyota didn’t fight much when I wanted it fixed. Although I’m pissed I had to spend $500 since it seems pretty clear they know there is an issue. But sure better than $4500.

I also read this is an issue on the last couple years of the 4 liters? Supposedly they started using the bad sealant on the 4 liters in 2014. I had a 2013 with over 150k. No problems. Traded it mainly because new one had some features I wanted. Maybe I should have kept it. Lol.

 

When was the last time you had the oil cover leak fixed? If they are using permatex now then they are using it to fix existing issues. If you had it fixed in 2018+ then the permatex isnt fixing it.

 

I got the ‘21 around beginning of March this year. And the last time they fixed the ‘17 was about 5 or 6 months before that. So around October or 2020. And it lasted about 5k miles.

 

Dropping my truck off today. The master tech at the dealer says he’s done 20+ of these jobs and seems pretty competent overall. Fingers crossed this is a one time repair that goes smoothly. I’ll report back once I get the truck I figure late next week.

 

Hope all goes well. Run thru your truck with a mechanic and have them write down and damaged portions or major scratches.. then when its done check and make sure no new damage is there!

 

Hey man keep me updated on this thread or message me to let me know if you get another leak on the 2021 please.. 4 times is rediculous and sounds like the metal is warped or corodded or something

 

I let my 2017 ride with the known leak for at least the last year, keeping an eye on it. Dropped off yesterday morning, truck was done this afternoon. Time will tell how well the job was done, but everything seems to be running ok. Attaching photos of the service order as well as photos of my engine bay.

Seems most of the hoses have been relocated and bunched up in the front - with a few things too close to the fan for comfort IMO.

looking under the hood after driving it home from the dealership, noticed some fluid or perhaps condensation on the line circled below. Could obviously just be a mess left over from the job (surprised they didn’t clean the engine bay…) but should I be worried at all?

that aside, the experience with the dealership was better than expected and they got my truck back quickly.

also thought I had a bad lower pulley - turns out it was a loose exhaust clamp making the squealing pulley-like noise…

 

$3500 in labor… that’s like what 20 hrs ?

 

Clean it and keep an eye on it, i wouldn’t sweat it. As you said it appears to be a mess left from the last leak!

 

20-22

Warranty is 16, pretty tough to do for most.

 

4 g’s total is enough to make me get the extended 10 year warranty for a measly 1300

 

I felt like I had let myself get bamboozled when I said yes to a $1400 warranty to extend my warranty to 100k when I purchased new in ‘16. Warranty company (CNA) approved the work same day, no hassle, so I’m happy

 

Got my truck back two weeks ago.

I was doing some work on the truck today, and noticed what looks like gear oil leaking from the driver's side axle seal. The tech also mangled up my passenger side dust shield on the axle nut. Before I call the dealer, @Bishop84 can you confirm that the tech needed to remove the front axles? He told me he went in from underneath like you do, and did not pull the entire engine. It wasn't leaking a month ago, but I just want to make sure he actually pulled that axle before I go accusing them and that it's not a coincidence.

 

Sometimes my dog howls along with it. But it does not take much to get him howling. No joke!

 

I had the same comeback from a timing cover I did recently lol. I popped a new axle seal in without question and moved on.

It doesn't matter, its covered under warranty regardless. They'll likely claim it.