Timing Cover Leaking Oil !!!

Looks like you're in the same boat as me. I had it done. At this moment, I don't regret having it done. I was covered under my CPO warranty so for me the choice was easy. In your shoes, since you're covered it's probably the right thing to do. But just continue to monitor it for it to come back again. When Toyota did mine, I had to go back a second time because the tech damaged a valve a cover seal and it was leaking oil from there, and he also damaged the axle seal so that was leaking as well. All have since been taken care of, and minus being out of my truck for a total of three weeks it didn't cost me anything. Now if I had to pay $4,000 for this job I'd be a lot more upset and I would have probably waited to see if the leak got worse or at the very least try to get a sense of how fast it was leaking.

 

that is my thinking too... i'm definitely planning on keeping this truck for quite awhile so makes sense to get it done while covered and watch it, now that i know it's a problem to look out for. hopefully they can get it right for me without a bunch of trips since I'm about an hour and a half from the dealership!

 

Just wanted to chime in here, 2016 Tacoma with 86,000 miles that started leaking at 66,000. Had it resealed by a shop and they didn't let it dry for long enough and it started leaking again. Now going to a second, much more highly recommended shop. Mechanic claims he can go through the front to access the timing chain cover by removing the radiator, crash structure, and condenser. Will report back to see how it turns out.

Called Toyota corporate and they wouldn't do anything because an independent shop had previously repaired it. Dealer also didn't help out the first time he had repaired it.

I used the references from this thread and made a purchase of a lot of the rubber gaskets that were listed here. Since I'm not pulling the transmission off, I left off the rear main seal and any seals off the rear.

Dealer wanted $4700-4800. Hopefully I can get it all buttoned up for less than $3000.

 

Just a lil update, took the truck in on Friday... they believe it's the power steering pump, according to the service guy the reservoir was very low. They ordered parts for that and also my high pressure fuel pump was chirping for them when I pulled in so that is getting replaced. Strangely I haven't noticed any power steering noise so we shall see if that fixes the leak, if not then I guess I had two problems going on

 

How is it holding you?

 

Wish I would have found this thread about 48 hours ago ... took my truck into the dealership because I noticed oil stains on my driveway all of a sudden, and when I popped the hood saw oil around my PS pump (honestly it was everywhere). Took it in thinking that's what was leaking ... NOPE ... timing cover. Hadn't researched it at all and didnt know about this apparent known issue. I have a 2016 OR, and it's almost paid off. Not looking to buy anything new because I don't want payments, and I want to drive it till it won't anymore.

As much as it hurt and made me sick, I dropped the $4k in repairs and hopefully picking it up tomorrow. Now I'm nervous it will just cause more problems after reading through this thread, and I'll end up trading it in anyway. I have 107K miles on it right now, and it's been hassle free up till this point aside from replacing an ac motor. Suuuuucks.

 

Poor turd gens

 

If the dealer ship has good mechanics doing this you’ll be fine

 

At 125k miles and just saw the power steering pump covered in oil during a recent oil change. The rear main seal has been leaking for the better part of 20k+ miles (thought it was the lower oil pan). Not sure whether to tackle these, let them leak or sell it whole and buy a newer one...

 

Yikes, I'm in the same boat. Don't want payments anymore but don't want to spend $4k+ for another leak in the future.

 

Any chance to seal these from the outside?

 

Zero. It's technically pressurized so it pushes it's way out.

 

I wonder the same. If possible, I'd degrease it and then apply permatex black gasket maker.

 

Well that sucks.

 

So was the cam cover on my Honda motorcycle... and I sealed that from the outside just fine using high temp Permatex (after cleaning thoroughly w/ alcohol). Held up for years.

 

It has a lot to do with crankcase ventilation. An old motorcycle might not even have PCV recirc system at all. A 3.5 produces a lot more blowby, even in a healthy state.

It is typically caused by deviations in casting from timing cover, to head, to block, then sealant failure in the gap.

Even epoxy on the spot of leak could just find away out, and run down the length of the cover.

 

I dunno, I mean for $4k in parts and labor I'd try the permatex first as well. I don't like the idea of pulling the whole engine apart anyway. Now if you're losing a quart a week or something like that then yeah, might as well rebuild.

 

Good call! Although if cleaned very well with excellent adhesion, one would think given the size of the opening causing the leak, that layers of Permatex could hold at bay the 3-6psi of the crankcase. Add a vented catch can and for those out of warranty, it could be a “cheap” fix to try before taking further measure.

 

I would take to a reputable mechanic, rather than a Toyota dealer. It'll be cheaper.

 

There was a guy on here who was trying Blue Devil Stop Leak. He never reported back though.