Timing Cover Leak….4300 miles…..

Sorry to hear and luck of the draw. So far not very common. Can happen on both the second and third Gen Tacomas. However, 1.5 million 3rd gens out there. Majority without issues.

“Next is the Toyota 2GR-FKS timing chain cover leak. This was an issue that plagued the 1GR-FE, and the timing chain cover is a very labor intensive part to access. One would hope Toyota got it right with the 2GR, but there are already a number of reports of the timing chain cover leaking. Hopefully it remains a limited issue but there are concerns that it becomes more and more common as the 2GR-FKS ages.”

The engine is manufactured in Alabama. Apparently robots apply the FIPG sealant at the factory. Where the heads and block meet there is an area that is a little uneven making it prone to leak there. Repairs unfortunately can be hit or miss. Too much sealant and it could seep inside the engine and clog an internal oil passage. Surfaces not cleaned properly can cause future external leaks.

My brand new 1992 Toyota truck had the head gaskets fail twice on the 3.0L V6 in and out of warranty. Toyota and the dealership fixed it both times no charge to me. I went on to enjoy that truck for 14 trouble free years. The second time they apparently use the proper improved gaskets tho.

Hopefully as others have stated you get a tech that knows what they are doing and you have no further issues. Very annoying with only 4300 miles.

For reference this 3rd gen with the 3.5 engine has just over 300k with little to no issues. So yeah just luck of the draw unfortunately.

https://youtu.be/4DKF3RR559E

 

It’s really not a major issue . It’s usually more of a seep leak . What makes it a pain in the ass to fix is there is no room in the engine compartment. Also the fact that the timing cover is huge .
But overall the 2GR is pretty bulletproof. This is more of an annoyance that gets compounded by today’s technology

 

I did look into that. I’m hesitant to involve a lawyer just because I deal with them on a day to day basis with my current profession and I know how sleezly they can be too. At this point I just want a reliable truck that doesn’t leak oil lol. I understand that it’s a common issue but it shouldn’t be considered “normal” or “within OEM spec” to leak any oil. I’ll give Toyota and the dealer a chance to rectify the problem and then we’ll go from there.

 

Let the dealer fix it. On repair day when the tech goes outside and gets your rig, toss him a 20 spot, tell him to do " good job ". Remember its covered for 5yrs 60k. So you will be covered should it happen again. My steering rack had to be replaced at I forget, I think it was 500 miles.

 

It should be under warranty period so let them fix it.

 

Lemon law wouldn't apply here. Most states rules are 30 plus days in the shop, or 3 repair attempts for the same issue. Also, a leaking timing cover isn't considered a safety issue.

 

Anyone know where that crazy mechanic guy is, who claims the timing cover failures can be prevented with more frequent oil chain intervals lol?

 

That repair will definitely be a teachable moment for the other techs at the dealership. Expect 2-3 other techs to have eyes on the repair.

I doubt you will get extended warranty out of this. That is what the current warranty is for.

Just ask for an engine cleaning and keep an eye on the repair.

Good luck.

 

Great video review.

Yeah it really is luck of the draw isn’t it?

Here’s for hoping. Mine is 2016 with 105km on it now, but that in the last 4 years. A used truck with only 9,000km on it when I bought it. So far ok other than front suspension which needs fairly steady repairs as it is driven so hard off road and frequently. About a third of my miles are off road.

Getting the ECGS bushing put in driver side diff as soon as parts arrive. The first 2 stock needle bearings on that side failed so bushing it is.

Wish I could do all the maintenance myself still as I did in the past, but that bird has flown. Three years of work disability for neck and back injuries. I can still do minor stuff, like changed the plugs, put a TRD skid on it, crawl under it for regular inspections, but its a crap shoot. Gotta go easy or risk not getting out and enjoying the woods.

Your Taco is holding up really well as a work truck and great to see that.

 

Hi @ppat4 Just to be clear that is not my truck in that video I shared, but rather member @bigoldbeef work truck with 300+k. Mine is a pavement princess.

 

At 4300 miles I'd have it fixed by dealer. Most leaks at cover are minor, kinda wetting seepage. Many have been sealed externally with good results. Thus saving sealant oozing out internally causing major damage.

 

Crickets

 

Not making excuses, but it's not a failure. It's just an oil leak, and a minor one at that. Ignoring it does nothing to affect the reliability or usability of it.

 

This truck is new so I agree to fix it. But in reality the OP could clean the area and see how long it takes to get a drip. And even if you wanted to go a step further you could do something from the outside and push it off longer . Technically most engines seep oil when they get older .This is a weird spot because it’s where 3 areas meet . You would think they could have come up with maybe a special gasket to fix this instead of sealant. Kind of dumb actually

 

This sucks I thought this would have been resolved by now. I just got a 2023 and really hood mine never leaks from that spot

 

Really surprised the op's was leaking this early. You'd think the dealer would have caught it before delivering it to the op, or they knew expecting a warranty claim. At any rate, it's a new truck, chit happens, just have it done.

 

Most likely was leaking from day 1 of delivery to the customer

 

Definitely give Toyota corporate a call, maybe after the repair is done, to ask about an extended warranty. It sounds like the shop is treating you right, so I wouldn't cause any headaches for them by involving corporate on the front end.

When my truck was new, it had all the symptoms of being low on trans fluid. I took it to 2 or 3 different dealers to get it checked. All they would do is put a scanner on it and say "there's no codes, must be fine." I had to open a case with corporate just to get a dealer to actually physically check the trans fluid level, and surprise, 2 quarts low. Corporate gave me a free 8 year warranty from date of purchase, which I used last year to replace the coolant crossover pipe.

 

You should never ignore and oil leak. Esp on a brand-new truck.

Some timing cover leaks are worse than others. Not a good idea to just ignore it.

 

I’d be using some stop leak and sealing it up from the outside before I’d have my brand new truck torn apart and then hope they even do the job right and not break all the little harness connectors and god knows what else. Worth a shot on my opinion